For the MINIMALISTS - those who think less is more in chicken keeping - Please help

[GetFitWithKrista]

Are you getting larger breeds (orpingtons, jersey giants, etc) or more athletic ones like leghorns? My “fat” chickens were deterred by a 2 foot decorative fence as long as the other side wasn’t something super tempting like the neighbors yard or lettuce. But they definitely COULD jump it. So if you have something like blueberry bushes, I would recommend a taller fence.

Pro tip - If you paint chicken wire black, it disappears better and is less visually “there.” That and a few step-in posts would do it. Not fancy, but also easy to remove if you are hosting something in the back yard and don’t like the look.

Our breeds are:
1 Dark Brahma
2 Easter Eggers
1 Cream Legbar
1 Olive Egger

I read that we can clip their flight wings to decrease the chances of them escaping. Hmm, on the jumping. We have a 3 foot fence on 3 sides. I plan to install a small fence on the open side and our shed is on that side as well. We have a neighbor right next to us with 2 small dogs, no garden. Then it's our shed. Then our shrubs on the other 2 sides. The garden is not right next door but across the yard a bit. Fingers crossed. This part I definitely can't plan for. Gotta wait and see what happens. Hoping to keep the solutions simple.

Thanks for the tip on the black chicken wire

 

[AmeliaBedelia]

Our breeds are:
1 Dark Brahma
2 Easter Eggers
1 Cream Legbar
1 Olive Egger

I read that we can clip their flight wings to decrease the chances of them escaping. Hmm, on the jumping. We have a 3 foot fence on 3 sides. I plan to install a small fence on the open side and our shed is on that side as well. We have a neighbor right next to us with 2 small dogs, no garden. Then it's our shed. Then our shrubs on the other 2 sides. The garden is not right next door but across the yard a bit. Fingers crossed. This part I definitely can't plan for. Gotta wait and see what happens. Hoping to keep the solutions simple.

Thanks for the tip on the black chicken wire

We have a 3ft chain link section to our yard…and our chickens would hop up there to perch, and then hop down on the wrong side if they saw a cool bug. So my free solution was to weave sticks into the fence every 6 inches or so to make it bad for perching - looks ok since its kind of wooded right there anyway, so the sticks blend in.

You may also find that the dogs can hop that fence - bigger issue in my opinion.

 

[Ridgerunner]

But what should I feed them before 20 weeks? Do you have specific brands and/or types that you really like? Or brand/types that you don't like?

Hard to believe we haven't discussed feed in this long thread. It is an important topic. And once again the problem is that you have too many options.

The first issue with feed is calcium content. Hens and pullets laying eggs need quite a bit of calcium for the egg shells. Young growing chickens not laying need a certain amount of calcium for growth, especially bones. All chickens need a certain amount of calcium for body maintenance and functions. For those laying eggs, a total calcium content of around 4% works. For all others somewhere around 1% calcium works. This is total calcium content as part of total food consumed. If all they eat is chicken feed, they can get enough calcium from the chicken feed they eat. If they forage for part of their diet or you feed them much low calcium treats they may need supplemental calcium to reach their daily quota.

Studies have shown that excess calcium can sometimes harm growing chicks. Not all of them but some. It's not great for non-laying adult chickens either. It is not what is in one bite either, it is total grams of calcium they consume in a day, and that is averaged over a few days. If a growing chick eats some 4% calcium laying feed and also eats a lot of low calcium food, either foraging or treats, then they are a lot less likely to get hurt from excess calcium as they would be if all they ate was that Layer feed.

I'm a simple person and this is way too complicated for me. So I feed everybody a low calcium feed and offer supplemental calcium on the side. I use oyster shell. The ones that need the extra calcium for the egg shells seem to know it while the ones that don't need that much calcium don't eat enough to harm themselves.

The other talking point is protein content. You can get disagreement on here as to how much protein content is "best". If you are raising them for show they need a high protein feed so they will reach the size show chickens need to win prizes. Meat chickens need higher protein content. For laying chickens, many people on this forum, I suspect the majority, like to feed a fairly high protein content but not that high, say 18% to 20% protein feed from hatch until the end of their lives. The way I feed mine and for my goals I'm happy with a smaller percent, say 16% when they are grown.

I think most of us will agree it is best to start chicken chicks with a relatively high protein content to get them off to a good start. That would be an 18% to 20% protein content. That can be Chicken Starter or something called Flock Raiser or All Flock, depending on brand and what is available at your feed store. Some people continue to feed that feed for the rest of their lives. Some of us are OK changing to a lower protein feed after that good start, say between 4 and 8 weeks depending on when that bag of feed runs out until they are ready to lay. I switch to a 16% protein feed, still low calcium like all these other feeds. The theory is that they don't need that extra protein and I want to slow their body growth a bit so their skeleton and internal organs can keep up. They don't need to be large when they grow up to make me happy.

So what do I suggest for your 8 week olds when you get them? Feed them a low calcium diet, around 1% calcium content feed. I suspect most people on this forum will be happier if you feed a 20% protein feed regardless of how much low calcium treats or forage they get. You do not need to offer supplemental calcium until they start laying. When they start laying you can switch to a 4% calcium Layer or continue with a low calcium feed. In either case I'd offer oyster shell or some calcium supplement on the side.

 

[GetFitWithKrista]

We have a 3ft chain link section to our yard…and our chickens would hop up there to perch, and then hop down on the wrong side if they saw a cool bug. So my free solution was to weave sticks into the fence every 6 inches or so to make it bad for perching - looks ok since its kind of wooded right there anyway, so the sticks blend in.

You may also find that the dogs can hop that fence - bigger issue in my opinion.

That's a good idea. I might have to come up with something. It's not a chain link so that complicates things a little. It's a picket plus it belongs to my neighbor. I'm not worried about this for now. There's always a solution. I don't think the dogs can jump it, Amen

 

[AmeliaBedelia]

Hard to believe we haven't discussed feed in this long thread. It is an important topic. And once again the problem is that you have too many options.

The first issue with feed is calcium content. Hens and pullets laying eggs need quite a bit of calcium for the egg shells. Young growing chickens not laying need a certain amount of calcium for growth, especially bones. All chickens need a certain amount of calcium for body maintenance and functions. For those laying eggs, a total calcium content of around 4% works. For all others somewhere around 1% calcium works. This is total calcium content as part of total food consumed. If all they eat is chicken feed, they can get enough calcium from the chicken feed they eat. If they forage for part of their diet or you feed them much low calcium treats they may need supplemental calcium to reach their daily quota.

Studies have shown that excess calcium can sometimes harm growing chicks. Not all of them but some. It's not great for non-laying adult chickens either. It is not what is in one bite either, it is total grams of calcium they consume in a day, and that is averaged over a few days. If a growing chick eats some 4% calcium laying feed and also eats a lot of low calcium food, either foraging or treats, then they are a lot less likely to get hurt from excess calcium as they would be if all they ate was that Layer feed.

I'm a simple person and this is way too complicated for me. So I feed everybody a low calcium feed and offer supplemental calcium on the side. I use oyster shell. The ones that need the extra calcium for the egg shells seem to know it while the ones that don't need that much calcium don't eat enough to harm themselves.

The other talking point is protein content. You can get disagreement on here as to how much protein content is "best". If you are raising them for show they need a high protein feed so they will reach the size show chickens need to win prizes. Meat chickens need higher protein content. For laying chickens, many people on this forum, I suspect the majority, like to feed a fairly high protein content but not that high, say 18% to 20% protein feed from hatch until the end of their lives. The way I feed mine and for my goals I'm happy with a smaller percent, say 16% when they are grown.

I think most of us will agree it is best to start chicken chicks with a relatively high protein content to get them off to a good start. That would be an 18% to 20% protein content. That can be Chicken Starter or something called Flock Raiser or All Flock, depending on brand and what is available at your feed store. Some people continue to feed that feed for the rest of their lives. Some of us are OK changing to a lower protein feed after that good start, say between 4 and 8 weeks depending on when that bag of feed runs out until they are ready to lay. I switch to a 16% protein feed, still low calcium like all these other feeds. The theory is that they don't need that extra protein and I want to slow their body growth a bit so their skeleton and internal organs can keep up. They don't need to be large when they grow up to make me happy.

So what do I suggest for your 8 week olds when you get them? Feed them a low calcium diet, around 1% calcium content feed. I suspect most people on this forum will be happier if you feed a 20% protein feed regardless of how much low calcium treats or forage they get. You do not need to offer supplemental calcium until they start laying. When they start laying you can switch to a 4% calcium Layer or continue with a low calcium feed. In either case I'd offer oyster shell or some calcium supplement on the side.

I agree. I also offer their dried, crushed egg shells back to them as another calcium source.

 

[GetFitWithKrista]

I agree. I also offer their dried, crushed egg shells back to them as another calcium source.

I love this idea. I always prefer to "recycle" and use what I've got on hand.

 

[AmeliaBedelia]

I love this idea. I always prefer to "recycle" and use what I've got on hand.

You probably should also offer oyster shell if you go with a low calcium feed as adults though. We do layer feed + they forage, so I am not as concerned about calcium as if they were eating all flock.

And chicks shouldn’t need the egg shells since they get enough calcium for their bones in their feed. Just laying hens need all that extra.

 

[GetFitWithKrista]

Hard to believe we haven't discussed feed in this long thread. It is an important topic. And once again the problem is that you have too many options.

I know! I'm an inquisitive person. I'm sure there will be more questions to come. I appreciate you guys staying in this thread.

I'm a simple person and this is way too complicated for me. So I feed everybody a low calcium feed and offer supplemental calcium on the side. I use oyster shell. The ones that need the extra calcium for the egg shells seem to know it while the ones that don't need that much calcium don't eat enough to harm themselves.

I definitely want to keep this simple especially in the beginning since I have no idea what I'm doing yet. A few people have mentioned that they eat the shells when they need extra calcium. I love this. Takes the guess work out. Intuitive chickens!

So what do I suggest for your 8 week olds when you get them? Feed them a low calcium diet, around 1% calcium content feed. I suspect most people on this forum will be happier if you feed a 20% protein feed regardless of how much low calcium treats or forage they get. You do not need to offer supplemental calcium until they start laying. When they start laying you can switch to a 4% calcium Layer or continue with a low calcium feed. In either case I'd offer oyster shell or some calcium supplement on the side.

Thank you for this thoughtful response and for sharing your feeding procedures. I appreciate your direct recommendations regarding protein and calcium content. This is a good starting point for me.

Look for a feed with 1% calcium and 20% protein until they start laying. Then switch to 4% and 20% with shells on the side for those who need it. A little less protein may be okay also. Do I have this correct?

I plan to give them some kitchen scraps like fruits and vegetables (I have a list of what not to give them.) I can't be religious to any certain foods or quantities every day though aside from their feed and shells. Whatever it is, it is.

Side question: do the shells draw rodents and bugs? Wondering if I can keep them out in a bowl rather than make another PVC feeder.

 

[GetFitWithKrista]

You probably should also offer oyster shell if you go with a low calcium feed as adults though. We do layer feed + they forage, so I am not as concerned about calcium as if they were eating all flock.

And chicks shouldn’t need the egg shells since they get enough calcium for their bones in their feed. Just laying hens need all that extra.

Yes, got it. Shells only for the laying ladies.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Look for a feed with 1% calcium and 20% protein until they start laying. Then switch to 4% and 20% with shells on the side for those who need it. A little less protein may be okay also. Do I have this correct?

That will work.

Whatever it is, it is.

To a large extent, a great attitude.

Side question: do the shells draw rodents and bugs? Wondering if I can keep them out in a bowl rather than make another PVC feeder.

I don't know. I don't feed egg shells back to them. I toss mine in the compost pile and there is plenty of other stuff there to draw rodents.

Yes, got it. Shells only for the laying ladies.

I can overthink and overcomplicate about anything. I'll apply that to egg shells.

Chickens do not digest every bit of calcium they eat. Some of it goes straight through and out the back end. Also they need some of the calcium they do digest for body functions. What this means is that if the only calcium they were getting is from their own eggshells it is a losing proposition.

But that is not the only calcium they get. They will get some in the feed, a fair amount out of yours. Some plants and kitchen scraps they eat may have calcium. If they catch any creepy crawlies they may get some. If your native rock is limestone they can get a lot from that. Some people don't need oyster shell or egg shell, the chickens find enough calcium from other sources. For some people the egg shells are enough to take care of needs. Some people may need something in addition to the egg shell.

What does all of this mean to you? If your egg shells are hard, they are getting enough calcium from somewhere. Whatever you are doing is working.