Help! Unknown object in nesting box and broody girl for 5 weeks now

[ChickenCanoe]

We used to make our cages from some welded wire fencing and some sticks. It doesn't have to be elaborate. We had about 5 cages hanging from the roof of the henhouse. Frequently there were a couple hens in broody jail.
I now use a wire elevated dog crate. I leave it in the coop for the bird's security. If caught early, it usually only takes about 2 days. After 5 weeks of broodiness, it could work quickly or it may take a long time, depending on the hormone cycle.

 

[Then I Will]

Eeeeewwww!! I hope I NEVER Encounter a lash egg...

 

[rebrascora]

As regards their diet, yes it is best to grade it in slowly by mixing some layer pellets with your current mix and gradually increase the proportion of layer as you decrease or run out of their current feed. Or you could start fermenting some layer pellets/mash and giving them that as a treat each day until your current feed has run out. Fermenting is really easy (no special equipment needed, just a bucket with a lid or cover, a stirrer ((large spoon or stick)) and some Apple Cider Vinegar with "the mother".... even I can do it) and provides good bacteria for the gut and makes the feed more easily digestible. That way you can offer their current feed in their normal feeder for when they want it and the fermented feed morning and night and then just refill their feeder with layer when your current mix runs out. I serve it up in an old frying pan. Most chickens love it, but sometimes it takes them a while to figure it out....especially if they haven't had a porridge consistency wet food before.

For fermenting feed, just put a scoop or two of layer pellets (or grower if that's what you are using) into the bucket and cover with tap water. Add a dash/teaspoon of ACV with the mother, give it a stir and cover loosely. Leave in a warm place, stirring once or twice a day and add more water if it becomes too dry. Those pellets can soak up a lot of water! You are aiming for a dropping consistency like porridge(oatmeal) or a sandwich cake mix. After a couple of days it will start to ferment and you will see it has a slightly bubbly texture and you can start feeding it. Just dollop some into the feeding pan and add some more pellets and water to the mix and stir to keep it working.

Best wishes

Barbara

 

[junebuggena]

Great articles-thank you! Should I be concerned about changing their diet? How to I go about changing the food...phase out the old while transitioning to the new?

You don't have worry about gradually switching diets. The vast majority of feeds are all made up of the exact same basic ingredients. In fact, Just because you always buy the same brand, doesn't mean that it's the same recipe every single time. Feed companies adjust their feed recipes depending on the ingredients available. The nutrition content stays the same, but the recipe can change month from month, depending on grain prices and other things.

 

[rebrascora]

@junebuggena
Ordinarily I would agree but the OP has been making her own feed from a recipe given to her by her flock's previous owner, so it may be markedly different from a proprietary feed, hence my suggestion both to change to a bought feed and to grade it in.

 

[Kateliv]

You don't have worry about gradually switching diets. The vast majority of feeds are all made up of the exact same basic ingredients. In fact, Just because you always buy the same brand, doesn't mean that it's the same recipe every single time. Feed companies adjust their feed recipes depending on the ingredients available. The nutrition content stays the same, but the recipe can change month from month, depending on grain prices and other things.

@rebrascora and @junebuggena thank you! This is the recipe I use.. any suggestions on brands to integrate? I will Blue Seal for the crumble and Organic Green Mountain Feed from VT for pellet. Get the oatmeal, kelp and sunflower seeds from Whole foods cheaper in bulk. Update on Ms. Broody...after being in her broody cage since Saturday, she is broken of her broodiness! I am watching her closely to ensure she truly is. No more strange eggs without shells either. Thanks for all your encouragement and support over the past few days!

 

[rebrascora]

OK, so things are a little different than I understood from your initial post. I was under the misconception that you were making their feed from all the basic component parts rather than buying a preparatory feed and adding a few extras. There should be no problem with this feed providing you also offer a supplementary source of calcium like oyster shell in a separate bowl, although I would be dubious about giving them DE on a regular basis. That said there is sometimes DE already added to the pellets/crumble you buy, to prevent pests(weavils) developing in the feed, so you might want to check that. Fermenting the feed will provide the probiotics without paying for expensive bought ones.

 

[Kateliv]

OK, so things are a little different than I understood from your initial post. I was under the misconception that you were making their feed from all the basic component parts rather than buying a preparatory feed and adding a few extras. There should be no problem with this feed providing you also offer a supplementary source of calcium like oyster shell in a separate bowl, although I would be dubious about giving them DE on a regular basis. That said there is sometimes DE already added to the pellets/crumble you buy, to prevent pests(weavils) developing in the feed, so you might want to check that. Fermenting the feed will provide the probiotics without paying for expensive bought ones @rebrascora
Yes! Oyster shells are in a shute that they have access to next to food station. DE is only added when I make the mix, not daily. But good to know that it pellets may come with DE on them. Any good site for fermenting or advice on growing fodder?

 

[Kateliv]

As regards their diet, yes it is best to grade it in slowly by mixing some layer pellets with your current mix and gradually increase the proportion of layer as you decrease or run out of their current feed. Or you could start fermenting some layer pellets/mash and giving them that as a treat each day until your current feed has run out. Fermenting is really easy (no special equipment needed, just a bucket with a lid or cover, a stirrer ((large spoon or stick)) and some Apple Cider Vinegar with "the mother".... even I can do it) and provides good bacteria for the gut and makes the feed more easily digestible. That way you can offer their current feed in their normal feeder for when they want it and the fermented feed morning and night and then just refill their feeder with layer when your current mix runs out. I serve it up in an old frying pan. Most chickens love it, but sometimes it takes them a while to figure it out....especially if they haven't had a porridge consistency wet food before.

For fermenting feed, just put a scoop or two of layer pellets (or grower if that's what you are using) into the bucket and cover with tap water. Add a dash/teaspoon of ACV with the mother, give it a stir and cover loosely. Leave in a warm place, stirring once or twice a day and add more water if it becomes too dry. Those pellets can soak up a lot of water! You are aiming for a dropping consistency like porridge(oatmeal) or a sandwich cake mix. After a couple of days it will start to ferment and you will see it has a slightly bubbly texture and you can start feeding it. Just dollop some into the feeding pan and add some more pellets and water to the mix and stir to keep it working.

Best wishes

Barbara

Just saw the rest of your post about fermenting. Never mind about my question about this!