free-ranging for... dirt?

[technodoll]

What the heck does my flock scratch around the yard for this time of year, anyways?

They're out "gardening" 6 hours a day, pushing and scratching leaves around and eating what looks like mouthfuls of dirt - are there still bugs around to keep their interest? It's mostly cold although the ground's not yet frozen, no snow yet. There is still some green vegetation around although most is brown, nothing is growing.

Very curious!

 

[jojo54]

Weed seeds, insect eggs. At least that is my hope for my chickens. That way they earn their keep and I have more time to watch them next summer!

 

[technodoll]

Aaahhh ok... I guess we have a bunch of that stuff laying around the farm

But still.

Eeeeeewwwww.

 

[Year of the Rooster]

They may be getting grit from the dirt or there could be certain minerals. There are things that they see that we may not.

 

[The Chicken People]

I lost! Darnit!

 

[technodoll]

I noticed that the girls eat quite a bit less of their layer mash now that they free-range for hours at a time...

Does this affect egg-laying?

I get about 5 eggs a day from 10 girls... sometimes 4, sometimes 6.

I want more!

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Every one of my egg customers tell me that the eggs from my free range flock taste better than store bought or even coop kept hens.
My flock is moving around much more now that cold weather is here. Still finding lots to eat, because when they come back to the coop at night their crops are bulging full; they just have to travel further to find the food.

 

[Year of the Rooster]

Quote:
Are you talking about The Game?