Heartbroken newbie

[howertop]

I see. Would bird seed be considered scratch? How does bird seed affect them.?

 

[Latestarter]

Again, it's a treat, not nutrition.

 

[howertop]

Welcome to BYC!!! I'm sorry you lost Lucy

Thank you so much.

 

[Latestarter]

Sorry, I didn't fully answer your last Q... No, bird seed would not be the same as scratch. Bird seed IS nutrition for song birds, it is NOT nutrition for chickens. However, it would be considered a treat.

 

[howertop]

There are many combinations that are food for them... They are balanced nutrition and come in different protein amounts and formulations. Most come as either pellets or crumbles. Whatever you start out with, they may or may not take to immediately... But when they get hungry enough, they WILL eat it. Typically, with egg laying hens, they require more calcium so feeding them a "layer" feed provides this. Many/most also provide them with oyster shell so they can get more calcium if they need it.

Their regular food is a crumble, I think we've been giving them too many treats!

 

[ronott1]

I see. Would bird seed be considered scratch? How does bird seed affect them.?

You should be able to get good food for them at a tractor supply store. Where are you in Northern California?

 

[howertop]

You should be able to get good food for them at a tractor supply store. Where are you in Northern California?

Lakeport, I get their food at the Rainbow ag place, Its Bar Ale brand. I just think since there out all day they aren't eating enough of their good food.

 

[ronott1]

Lakeport, I get their food at the Rainbow ag place, Its Bar Ale brand. I just think since there out all day they aren't eating enough of their good food.

Bar ale is good!

What one are you giving them

 

[howertop]

Bar ale is good!

What one are you giving them

Bar Ale is what they have always had in their coop, but they free range all day. Lucy was pretty big.

 

[HarleysGonePostal]

Hello! So glad I found this site. I have never owned chickens before. I had 2 wyondottes,{Lucy and ethel} and an australope{Lizzie} They aren't a year old yet. I got them as babies and kept them in our questroom till they were old enough to go in the coop. I love them dearly. Yesterday Lucy died. She was just sitting there and I thought she was going to do a dirt bath, well she died. She was fine an hour before. I noticed Lizzie has been taking along tme laying her egg lately. Maybe Lucy was eggbound. Lucy and Lizzie were both a little overweight. Now I'm so scared something will happen too Lizzie and ethel. We let them have free riehn over the back yard and they seem happy and healthy, Ethel and Lucy were buddies so it seems like ethel has been searching for Lucy all day. We want to get a couple teenagers in the spring so there wont be a danger of either one of them being alone. Well, I'm glad to meet all of you and hope I can do right by these chickens!!

I'm sorry for your loss. It can be devastating