Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

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I think someone might be thinking about going broody. Instead of pecking when annoyed or startled she is fluffing up and screeching randomly.
20210421_224954.jpg

The roses are starting to bloom :)
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LozzyR said:
I've been meaning to ask the brains trust something, especially before @Shadrach disappears for a while. About food; when I was at the poultry show on the weekend, one of the organisers said that each bird should only get a (biggish) handful of feed a day and anything more than that is a waste. He said if you throw it down on the ground and there's some left over, it's too much and then you get the wild birds into it and spreading whatever diseases they have (mice too). So how much is enough? I've been giving my girls a handful in the morning on the grass, but if I've been home, offered them a little at lunch time and again in the evening and they eat it every time. I know they can pig out but do they regulate their eating? I'm of the opinion that Nyssa was underweight because she wasn't being allowed to eat, so I'm reluctant to not offer her food. I'm also trying to keep pests away by not having food available (although this is tricky). Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Mine have food available all the time and I am interested in your question too as I have allowed them to self-control.
When Maggie was molting she had no interest in commercial food. Now, she has a small commercial food appetizer and then spends several hours hunting around outside for whatever takes her fancy and finishes with a commercial food dessert before settling down to the serious business of a round of preening parties.
They seem to like having choices.
 
LozzyR said:
I've been meaning to ask the brains trust something, especially before @Shadrach disappears for a while. About food; when I was at the poultry show on the weekend, one of the organisers said that each bird should only get a (biggish) handful of feed a day and anything more than that is a waste. He said if you throw it down on the ground and there's some left over, it's too much and then you get the wild birds into it and spreading whatever diseases they have (mice too). So how much is enough? I've been giving my girls a handful in the morning on the grass, but if I've been home, offered them a little at lunch time and again in the evening and they eat it every time. I know they can pig out but do they regulate their eating? I'm of the opinion that Nyssa was underweight because she wasn't being allowed to eat, so I'm reluctant to not offer her food. I'm also trying to keep pests away by not having food available (although this is tricky). Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Interesting...looking forward to Shad's response.
Mine have feed available at all times, but prefer to forage mostly. They do run to the feed several times a day, often spurred after they've gotten a little treat like spinach or cucumbers. 😂
I did notice one day that Nae Nae decided to lounge while eating at the feeder. 😯
Have read that BO sometimes do this.
To date, I've only witnessed it 1x. I also don't worry about it (yet) as they are still growing.
If it becomes a habit...she and I will have to have a little "listen to your body" and "make good decisions" chat.
 
Lady Red said:
Interesting...looking forward to Shad's response.
Mine have feed available at all times, but prefer to forage mostly. They do run to the feed several times a day, often spurred after they've gotten a little treat like spinach or cucumbers. 😂
I did notice one day that Nae Nae decided to lounge while eating at the feeder. 😯
Have read that BO sometimes do this.
To date, I've only witnessed it 1x. I also don't worry about it (yet) as they are still growing.
If it becomes a habit...she and I will have to have a little "listen to your body" and "make good decisions" chat.
Click to expand...
Mine don’t seem to go back to the run to eat when ‘released’, they will go back to roost but that’s nearly all. I give different feeding stations in the yard when I’m out with them but they don’t really show ravenous interest, happy to scratch around the garden instead. They still have these options temporarily as well as permanent water stations when ranging (if they are out there is always someone home who can watch them) but they seem to get what they need to a point by foraging.
 

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