Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[MaryJanet]

@MaryJanet
For the supplements (biotin, choline, selenium, etc), did Dr. Mark give daily supplement amounts or x per kg figures? I have absolutely no idea how much to add in to their feed......thanks for any guidance on this!

In case it's not obvious, I'll mention the hens help themselves to dry pellets all day long and do some foraging every day too.

 

[Ponypoor]

I bought the jars and took them in to show him and he said I couldn't go wrong on dosage because it's helpful for all of them.

Four hens share a nightly mash with supplements. The mash is two cups of pellets.

The choline and enzymes are loose powder. Enzymes are 3/4 of a teaspoon. Choline is 1/4 of a teaspoon. Added to the pellets while they're dry.

The biotin, milk thistle and DMG are capsules. Anyway, I'll get photos of the jars so you can see how much is in a capsule. I open one capsule of each and add to the dry pellets.

I shake it all together in a tupperware, then add 1/2 cup of water and shake again. I leave it for 30 minutes or so, then give it to the hens in four bowls with cottage cheese on top. If I give it to them an hour before sunset, they have time to eat most of it before roosting.

I'll go get those photos now.

Great info - thanks!

 

[Ponypoor]

Was out checking on birds. Cheetah came into the coop with some of the girls: food, water, checking on broody Jess,View attachment 3057894 checking on Thing (laying an egg), View attachment 3057892checking on babies (he talked to them)View attachment 3057890

Took this as I came out of the coopView attachment 3057885Silver doing sentinel duty. Pear was resting behind her. Shortly after I took the pic, PITA came up and took over: same spot, Silver started foraging.

2 conclusions:

1. When too few roosters, top hens take up the job.
2. PITA is 3rd in command. (Suspected, now confirmed.

Those are great observations!

And wonderful photos

 

[featherhead007]

Sounds miserable but that is a great shot!

I agree

 

[ChicoryBlue]

I bought the jars and took them in to show him and he said I couldn't go wrong on dosage because it's helpful for all of them.

Eta: his words were something like the supplements are not harmful, so don't worry about dosage but at the same time, don't go overboard, just give one a day. Also, i take the chooks in for checkups every six months for him to keep an eye on them. These days there's very little going wrong with them.

Four hens share a nightly mash with supplements. The mash is two cups of pellets.

The choline and enzymes are loose powder. Enzymes are 3/4 of a teaspoon. Choline is 1/4 of a teaspoon. Added to the pellets while they're dry.

The biotin, milk thistle and DMG are capsules. Anyway, I'll get photos of the jars so you can see how much is in a capsule. I open one capsule of each and add to the dry pellets.

I shake it all together in a tupperware, then add 1/2 cup of water and shake again. I leave it for 30 minutes or so, then give it to the hens in four bowls with cottage cheese on top. If I give it to them an hour before sunset, they have time to eat most of it before roosting.

I'll go get those photos now.

This has been really informative, thank you! So I searched and see you've mentioned "Enzyplex" as the enzymes they're getting, what Dr. Mark prescribed. Is that still correct?

 

[featherhead007]

What to do with my roo? Jaffar tries really hard to mate the nine ladies of his, but he always misses the mark!
Funny to watch when he runs across the yard, for a squatting female. But he’s usually running too fast, and ends up skipping right over her (then his beak ends up planted in the dirt) Oh brother!

 

[BY Bob]

No tax required on posts about chickens, I have the @BY Bob Tax Manual, and I'm pretty sure that is a main directive, although it's a late edition.

This is correct. As long as the discussion is chickens no tax is ever required. Tax payments are required for non-chicken discussions. The idea is to redirect them to be chicken based through the chicken photo.

Unless it is a SHRA. A SHRA payment knows no bounds.

 

[featherhead007]

This is correct. As long as the discussion is chickens no tax is ever required. Tax payments are required for non-chicken discussions. The idea is to redirect them to be chicken based through the chicken photo.

Unless it is a SHRA. A SHRA payment knows no bounds.

I’ll have my lawyer take a look at that tax payment schedule. Maybe she could find a few loopholes.

 

[featherhead007]

I’ll have my lawyer take a look at that tax payment schedule. Maybe she could find a few loopholes.

Loop tax:

 

[BY Bob]

I made a little nest for them on top of their heat plate using a cardboard tray. I don’t think they know how to snooze on a roost yet and under the plate looks like it is too warm for daytime.
Does it get any more cute?
Zzzzzzzzz

View attachment 3057476

Simply adorable.