I can not get an answer?

[Farmergreen]

I'm 58 years old and have raised chickens most of those years. I have never fed my Chickens anything except lay pellets, scratch, oyster shells and always free range. Table scraps when my 11 year old garbage disposal leaves any.
As for Lights. Don't do lights. What happens when your chickens are dependant on the heat from the lights and the power goes off. Unprepared chickens freeze to death. I empty half of the water out of some of the water pans so I have room to put fresh in the next morning.

No meds either. Never had wormy chickens or problems with mites. When I do suspect mites I spray everything with aloa vera Juice. Suficates the little buggers.

Weak Chickens produced by over caring for them die young, have problems won't lay etc. Antibiotics kills everything in the system good and bad. That's why people stay sick so much. I don't take anything. Had the flu once get a cold now and then but I don't start taking dope at the first sniffle.

My point being you can overcare till you kill'em

 

[centrarchid]

Quote:
The polyunsaturated fatty acids of interest here also influence taste for us. Fish are typically high in same fatty acids. Kicker is that such fatty acids more prone to becoming rancid. Very small amounts of such "rancidized" fatty acids impart the "fishy" taste of such products. IMO opinion fresh, properly handled and prepared fish does not taste "fishy" so description not best descriptor.

For me, high amounts of flax seed oil makes eggs taste like some oil based paints.

 

[CMV]

I've read the dosing is one tablespoon of cod liver oil per week per bird to be alternated with wheat germ oil on alternate weeks at a rate of one tablespoon of wheat germ oil per week per bird. So (to be clear), cod liver oil one week, wheat germ oil the next, cod liver oil the week after, wheat germ oil the week after that...and so on.

I have never used this in my birds. I am merely repeating what I have read. Hope it helps.

Miss Lydia- any food sources rich in the omega fatty acids will impart a fishy flavor to eggs if given at too high a quantity. I had no idea, either.

 

[centrarchid]

Quote:
Generally speaking, in respect to fatty acid needs of chickens, supplmenting with such a dense source of polyunsaturated fatty acids is not needed. Other components of diet meets needs although as indicated by others fatty acid profile of eggs can be modified and sometimes this can result in off-flavor (fishy tasting) eggs if oil becomes rancid before or after addition to feed .


Flax seed or equivalent would be as good in respect to affecting fatty acid content of eggs (and meat) and be easier to disperse into feed. Flax seed will be cheaper. Use of the free flowing oil could additionally be useful in keeping dust down if your feed has lots of fines as mine does.

Lubrication of digestive tract not significant. Advantages associated with vitamins A and D might be helpful during winter months if poorly formulated feeds used but during summer with a free ranging flock, foraged plant sources more than adequate to meet needs.

If used, then be consitent. l do not not use it.

 

[rancher hicks]

Quote:
Where would I find Aloa Vera juice? I have read so many things of what to feed, not to feed, it all gets very confusing and getting the right system. I have never seen mites, but there is so much talk about them I expect to some day. Living in the North it is hard to free range for a few months. Otherwise I do. I do let them out into a run everyday that they choose and feed greens. My runs are covered so they do get fresh air everyday. I do use vitamins once a month, but only for that days water and thought to do the same with Cod liver oil. I also do the ACV once a month too. Not everyday as some have suggested, and then to only for that days supply of water.

How does one project the protein level our chickens are getting? What is to much protein? What is to little?

Thanks to all who weighed in,

Rancher

 

[Farmergreen]

Aloa vera juice can be found at any feed store or Gardening center that sells organic stuff but any oily, non pretroleum based product will do. Grand Dad rubbed Kerosine on the roosts. It worked but is toxic in a large enough amount. Unless you got really good eyes you may never see a mite. They can be seen but are little bitty . Also if mites do get bad Dust everything with sulphur and as a last resort (mites or the chickens) use sevin dust, least toxic of your chemical insecticides. I have to use it sometimes on the Dogs. Fleas are terrible in this part of the country.

If you can't free range Alfalfa or grass hay with some weeds will do the trick. Weeds and grass hay give you lots of seeds to munch on. Make sure it hasn't been sprayed for bugs. Insecticide kills more than bugs.
I just feel and from experience believe that fresh Pellets and grain Not just scratch but oats, barley, etc. will give a chicken all he needs. Never feed anything you think might be spoiled. Old leftovers no no. If you ain't gonna eat it then don't feed it to something else. You may also be able to find an organic food store that will let you have the expired produce. Picked up regular it is still eatable and a good safe source for Vitimans and minerals. I even pick out some stuff for me to eat sometimes.

With Layers 15% protien is minimum and I would't go over 21% to much can upset the reproductive system and laying will slow down. Not enough does the same.

For Game Show Birds 21% or better Your after Body and Color not eggs. Of course Games are wired up birds anyway they need the extra protien.

As for worms give'm about 1/4 teaspoon of castor oil once a month. What happened when Grandma gave it to you? Just pooped it right out. along with everything else. Didn't know grandma was wormin you huh! LOL

My deal is this. Do everything you can with organic products and use manmade chemicals ONLY AS A LAST RESORT.

"If it has been fed to my food it is still in my food."

 

[Organics North]

I feed around 10% flax, 10% alfalfa and 4% fish meal in my mix.

Flax I believe can be fed up to 30% before fishy flavor becomes a factor. The stuff is expensive though it is a great source of protein at 34% protein or so.

Flax and grain sources of Omega 3 are not as beneficial as omega 3's form say the cod liver oil or fish meal, is the way I understand it.

ON

 

[Indiana hens]

U should try it yourself 1st and see how u feel. Put 2 tablespoons on your oatmeal; u may need to add some syrup or brown sugar and cinnamon.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

In the growing season, I free range and they have great forage, that's been improved over the years. In the winter, I feed wheat grass and sprouts to compensate. It's really easy to do. They go into winter so much healthier than confined chickens eating only commercial feed, with better immune systems and more stored nutrients in their bodies, anyway. They still get the nutrients from their feed. I just try to supplement with some fresh growing food during the winter.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I use flax oil one day and olive oil the next day in my concoction I make up for myself, both are excellent for our health. I have been reluctant to use anything on their feed though because my ducks waste so much food anyway and they all eat out of the same feeders. I guess I'll have to get the flax seeds organic of course and start using in their feed.