Heavy breed question

[keiferlou]

I appreciate everyones concern and input. After reading the replies, I started to feel bad, like I'm doing something wrong, so I called my vets. One is what you would call a "new school" vet and the other is an old school, small town farm vet. I use them both because they're both good at different things and both very straight forward with me, especially if I'm wrong. They both agreed that their diet as described here is perfectly fine and being that they're free range, supplemental feeding during the summer isn't even necessary at all unless I just want to. When winter hits, I will need to rework their diet (obviously) since there won't be much to forage but now, as long as they appear healthy and are laying normally and have good, hard shells, which they are, then I'm good. Of the three hens that are laying, they all lay consistently everyday. The old school guy even said, "How the heck did the original chicken ever survive without human intervention? It must have been a miracle!" Good point. They both told me to stay off the internet too.

Everyone has opinions on things they like and dislike and things that work for them and that's great but after speaking to my vets and being reassured that there is nothing wrong with it, I'm still confident in my routine. As winter gets closer, I will add what is needed but until then, there is plenty of foraging to do. Thank you all though.

 

[iwiw60]

The little ones haven't eaten just crumbles alone for a while now and to ensure they go to bed at night, that's when they get a big helping of scratch. They'll eat a bit, then go to roost. In the mornings before I let them out, they work on it some more. Whenever I go out to check on them or just watch them, I always throw them some more. I probably actually over feed them. Their coop is left open all day while they're out and about and I keep a full feeder in there so they can come and go and eat as they choose, whether it's bugs and grass outside or feed inside. Plus, they get scraps (no sweets), veggies, rinsed egg shells and oyster shell and meal worm treats. I was under the impression that being mostly free range, layer feed is not necessary?

You have been misinformed regarding feed. Chickens require chick starter feed if little ones, and layer feed for your layers.

Scratch is just that....scratch. There's next to nothing in it except cracked corn, no vitamins and minerals. Your girls are going to suffer with that feeding program. Not knowing how old your girls are, and if they are laying just yet or not, I can only say:

chick starter til point of lay
layer feed once you get your first egg from one of your girls

This is my feeding program (of sorts):

Purina Layena layer crumbles (my girls hate pellets!) available to them 24/7 in their PVC tube feeders both in the coop and out in the run
Oyster shell on the side next to their feed
They get a 'breakfast' 5 days a week, alternating between warm oatmeal w/black sunflower seeds sprinkled on, or 2 hard-boiled eggs, shell and all, crushed real good.
Treats: I give ONE treat once a day. This might consist of half a small pumpkin cracked open, or 1 ear of corn on the cob, or 2 handfuls of scratch, etc. I don't over-treat them...it's the layer feed I want them to consume mostly, as the protein count is just right for good egg-laying.

I hope this helps you some, and that you'll be heading to the feed store today to buy either chick starter or layer feed....I wish you all the best for your girls!

 

[abserbean]

I think people were just offering advice, so hope it didn't offend. The internet is good for that, it's easy to come off the wrong way. If your girls are healthy and eggs are good, then no worries. They have extra calcium (shells and oyster) and protein (mealworms). I do provide layer for my hens, but they free range for most of the day and they hardly eat the layer. My younger pullets, however, gobble their feed up, but they only free range for about three hours a day. I don't want them out all day until they are laying, so that they will imprint on the nest boxes and I don't have to do an egg hunt each day! Good luck with your girls! Having chickens is such a fun adventure.

 

[keiferlou]

Thank you abserbean. It didn't offend and I know the advice was well meaning but it did make me feel bad for a minute. I know my vets would have called me on it if they thought I was doing something wrong so that made me feel better. They've known me a long time and I was the tech for one of them for 2 years. I trust them. The internet is a great source of information but also a source of annoyance. When the bigger hens started laying, I kept them in for a few days until they got the hang of the nesting boxes. Now they go in every day about 10:30 or 11:00 and do their thing then go back out and forage some more.

iwiw60 - They were all started on chick starter and kept on it until they began free ranging.

 

[DaveOmak]

If all you want to do is keep the chickens alive.... free range is fine.... BUT, selenium is a necessary element for good chicken health... If your soil is low on selenium, they could be healthier eating other than free range.... vitamin E is very necessary also...

 

[keiferlou]

DaveOmak - can you suggest some supplements?

 

[abserbean]

sunflower seeds (boss) and tuna fish are both good sources of selenium, as well as most meats

 

[keiferlou]

Well, problem already solved then! I already feed sunflower seeds. I literally just came in from giving them some! Good timing Hadn't considered tuna but I always have some around. Dogs love it too. I read up on vitamin e too and I already feed greens as well and apparently the sunflower seeds are a good source too. Alien doesn't like either but she's a brat. I prefer to not have to buy more manufactured stuff and just use what I have on hand so good deal about the sunflower seeds. Thanks

 

[DaveOmak]

http://nutritiondata.self.com/foods-000127000000000000000.html

http://nutritiondata.self.com/foods-000103000000000000000-w.html?categories=3,10,11,14,0,19,22,15

Selenium and vitamin E..... change the search name for other minerals, vitamins of interest....