Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[bgmathteach]

@BY Bob This is a really good point.

I have 6 adults and 2 babies, also 15 weeks old, so very similar to Bob's situation. We have been feeding the whole flock some regular layer pellets that is 17% protein since a month ago ...

Be careful, excessive calcium, before it is needed, can cause kidney and other issues and shorten their life. It is a very fine line to walk with mixed flocks.

In addition to what I said above, I keep littles with mom locked away first thing so they eat starter only, and have a creep so only the littles get the starter (i.e. so the big girls don't eat it on them.) as they get bigger and 'outgrow' the creep, they are transitioning to grower anyways, then I just fill all feeders with grower they can access, and some feeders only the bigs access with layer. eventually (as now except for my newest littles, 1 week & 2 weeks old) I'm using my own mix of 'all flock'

 

[BY Bob]

Calcium for any eggs. The starter doesn't have it

Thanks. Good catch. Oyster shell is available. So I think that should be good for a couple of weeks.

 

[lightm]

Be careful, excessive calcium, before it is needed, can cause kidney and other issues and shorten their life. It is a very fine line to walk with mixed flocks.

In addition to what I said above, I keep littles with mom locked away first thing so they eat starter only, and have a creep so only the littles get the starter (i.e. so the big girls don't eat it on them.) as they get bigger and 'outgrow' the creep, they are transitioning to grower anyways, then I just fill all feeders with grower they can access, and some feeders only the bigs access with layer. eventually (as now except for my newest littles, 1 week & 2 weeks old) I'm using my own mix of 'all flock'

Thank you. Obviously we haven't put much thought into this ... I'm not sure how to solve the problem at this point if they all have access to the same thing. Do you suggest something like grower feed + oyster shell?

 

[BY Bob]

I absolutely think this makes sense! 'Common' wisdom on feeding a mixed flock of youngs and olds is feed to the youngest and supplement for the older (i.e. oyster shells to make up for the calcium deficiency in the feed.) My experience is that heavy layers can't take in enough oyster shell to supplement, but ones who have slowed down seem fine. (I don't think yours are heavy layers at this point, correct?)

FWIW, I am making my own 'all flock' mix because I can't get any organic all flock....I mix layer & grower together. If you have a heavy layer that IS laying (I'm assuming Phyllis is still broody, so not laying atm.), you could always mix the two or put out one small dish/feeder of layer/feather fixer and the rest be the starter/grower. If you do this, that feeder of layer/feather fixer should probably be in the big coop.

My 2 cents only. You are a smart man and will do what you think best...and you will probably be right!

I don't have heavy layers. I get 2 to 3 eggs a day with Phyllis on the nest from 5 hens. I will supplement with oyster shell.

 

[bgmathteach]

Thank you. Obviously we haven't put much thought into this ... I'm not sure how to solve the problem at this point if they all have access to the same thing. Do you suggest something like grower feed + oyster shell?

Yes

 

[featherhead007]

Tomorrow, I have to closely track the hens. Somewhere in the yard, there’s a clutch of eggs that I am missing. I usually get four or five eggs a day, but lately only two. It’s a mystery that I am determined to solve!

 

[BY Bob]

Thank you. Obviously we haven't put much thought into this ... I'm not sure how to solve the problem at this point if they all have access to the same thing. Do you suggest something like grower feed + oyster shell?

Exactly. Grower plus Oyster shell like I am going to do. Or all flock with oyster shell. With roosters you can't use layer as all the calcium can be damaging to the roosters. So you should use all flock and supplement with roosters.

 

[bgmathteach]

Tomorrow, I have to closely track the hens. Somewhere in the yard, there’s a clutch of eggs that I am missing. I usually get four or five eggs a day, but lately only two. It’s a mystery that I am determined to solve!

It has been really hot down your way, yes? Sometimes egg laying will significantly drop if they are heat stressed. It usually takes a few days or more for the production to slow from the heat stress as there are already egg(s)/yolks 'ripening'. Hope you find the stash, but it may not be as big of a stash as you think.

Just find them fast...I suspect someone is getting ready to go broooooody

 

[LaFemmeKatia]

What to Feed the Joint Tribe?

I have reached a decision point as it relates to feed. Now that everyone is mixed I need to choose a joint feed. I have switched the big girls to feather fixer when Hattie started molting.

They clearly prefer chick feed. Once they were able to avail themselves of either Feather Fixer or Starter Grower they demolished the chick feed (Starter Grower).

The Rascals are now 15 weeks old.

I'm leaning towards one more big bag of Starter Grower to get them to 18 weeks. It has the protein that the bigs need to make feathers and the nutrition the Rascals need to grow. And they all love it.

What does everyone think? Does this make sense? Am I missing something?

I have gone back to using starter-grower (20% protein) and of course oyster-shell, which I’ve always kept available, because I have a mixed flock now. Layers, not-yet-layers, half-grown ducks, two roosters.
Comparing it (ingredients-wise) to an all-flock feed, it’s equally complete nutritionally, and $2.00 cheaper per 50 pound bag. Two bucks is two bucks, it adds up.

 

[LaFemmeKatia]

Tomorrow, I have to closely track the hens. Somewhere in the yard, there’s a clutch of eggs that I am missing. I usually get four or five eggs a day, but lately only two. It’s a mystery that I am determined to solve!

Somebirdy is building a nursery! Hmmm…