i somehow acquired 2 runaways and i have questions. please help

[alinas2010]

Well it’s the guy we adopted Ravioli from, if that tells you anything…he’s sort of ignorant about chickens. Or was. Tbf he has significantly improved since then in his chicken keeping practices from what I can see. But if anyone had followed her story, he wanted to cull her for eating eggs. Turns out she was just laying pretty soft eggs and they’d break and she would eat them. She doesn’t have as many egg problems here, but I do think she has a shell gland issue. That’s another story. I don’t think they got calcium over there, so that didn’t help. When they molted he didn’t do anything to support the molt. He commented she looked great after her molt last year and was surprised she was still around. He was shocked when I told him I fed her egg, tuna, canned chicken to help her through molt. No idea they needed extra protein.

They have food, water, a coop, a small run and they have a dirt yard they’re in all day. The yard is big enough and has shade and sun. Nothing wrong with it. He has built them some enrichment things this summer with scrap wood, so that was nice to see. Idk about the coop, I haven’t seen inside or anything. But l just think of the extras I spend money on and I don’t think he does. On a regular basis we buy treats, peat moss for dirt bathes, sand for the poop shelf, oyster shell, grit, lime and other cleaning supplies, no hesitation if I see a waterer or feeder I think would work better for them, not to mention medical things, etc etc. you guys know how it goes!

Anyways he isn’t the worst chicken keeper, but not the best either. All of Ravs flock mates over there have passed already. Could be coincidence and she’s just lucky to have a longer life or could be he doesn’t put extra effort into their care partially due to ignorance. Personally, I think it’s number two. Some people are like that, though. Some people would say I do too much for mine. I try to give him tips when we talk. He probably thinks I’m crazy lol

 

[pollipazzi]

Well it’s the guy we adopted Ravioli from, if that tells you anything…he’s sort of ignorant about chickens. Or was. Tbf he has significantly improved since then in his chicken keeping practices from what I can see. But if anyone had followed her story, he wanted to cull her for eating eggs. Turns out she was just laying pretty soft eggs and they’d break and she would eat them. She doesn’t have as many egg problems here, but I do think she has a shell gland issue. That’s another story. I don’t think they got calcium over there, so that didn’t help. When they molted he didn’t do anything to support the molt. He commented she looked great after her molt last year and was surprised she was still around. He was shocked when I told him I fed her egg, tuna, canned chicken to help her through molt. No idea they needed extra protein.

They have food, water, a coop, a small run and they have a dirt yard they’re in all day. The yard is big enough and has shade and sun. Nothing wrong with it. He has built them some enrichment things this summer with scrap wood, so that was nice to see. Idk about the coop, I haven’t seen inside or anything. But l just think of the extras I spend money on and I don’t think he does. On a regular basis we buy treats, peat moss for dirt bathes, sand for the poop shelf, oyster shell, grit, lime and other cleaning supplies, no hesitation if I see a waterer or feeder I think would work better for them, not to mention medical things, etc etc. you guys know how it goes!

Anyways he isn’t the worst chicken keeper, but not the best either. All of Ravs flock mates over there have passed already. Could be coincidence and she’s just lucky to have a longer life or could be he doesn’t put extra effort into their care partially due to ignorance. Personally, I think it’s number two. Some people are like that, though. Some people would say I do too much for mine. I try to give him tips when we talk. He probably thinks I’m crazy lol

that guy.
that explains a lot.
but it's nice to hear he made some improvements.
i think it doesn't matter if he thinks you're crazy.
keep giving tips! it seems like he might be taking some things into consideration. sure, he probably wouldn't have made improvements at all if it weren't for you.

 

[alinas2010]

that guy.
that explains a lot.
but it's nice to hear he made some improvements.
i think it doesn't matter if he thinks you're crazy.
keep giving tips! it seems like he might be taking some things into consideration. sure, he probably wouldn't have made improvements at all if it weren't for you.

Agree! I will always try to help (and adopt his chickens if he doesn’t want them lol)

 

[BDutch]

He was shocked when I told him I fed her egg, tuna, canned chicken to help her through molt. No idea they needed extra protein.

Giving goodies like eggs, meat and fish is a no go for me too. Mealworms are the only animal proteins my chickens get from me as an extra treat. I prefer to spend extra money on organic feed above canned tuna and chicken from factory farming.

My chickens (mixed flock) can eat organic chick feed with 19% protein if they choose. They have layer pellets and oyster flakes on the side and free range several hours each day. Searching for insects and such keeps them busy and healthy.

I cant say anything about the neighbour. Just want to declare there are more ways to keep and feed chickens to give them a long and healthy life. We all make our own choices. But please look at the lives of the chickens you feed your chickens too. The chickens who ended up in the can, were probably abused a lot more than the chickens of your neighbour.

 

[pollipazzi]

Giving goodies like eggs, meat and fish is a no go for me too. Mealworms are the only animal proteins my chickens get from me as an extra treat. I prefer to spend extra money on organic feed above canned tuna and chicken from factory farming.

My chickens (mixed flock) can eat organic chick feed with 19% protein if they choose. They have layer pellets and oyster flakes on the side and free range several hours each day. Searching for insects and such keeps them busy and healthy.

I cant say anything about the neighbour. Just want to declare there are more ways to keep and feed chickens to give them a long and healthy life. We all make our own choices. But please look at the lives of the chickens you feed your chickens too. The chickens who ended up in the can, were probably abused a lot more than the chickens of your neighbour.

i don't know how to link the thread about how alina got ravioli, but it is a sad story. i wouldn't give that neighbour too much credit.

 

[alinas2010]

Giving goodies like eggs, meat and fish is a no go for me too. Mealworms are the only animal proteins my chickens get from me as an extra treat. I prefer to spend extra money on organic feed above canned tuna and chicken from factory farming.

My chickens (mixed flock) can eat organic chick feed with 19% protein if they choose. They have layer pellets and oyster flakes on the side and free range several hours each day. Searching for insects and such keeps them busy and healthy.

I cant say anything about the neighbour. Just want to declare there are more ways to keep and feed chickens to give them a long and healthy life. We all make our own choices. But please look at the lives of the chickens you feed your chickens too. The chickens who ended up in the can, were probably abused a lot more than the chickens of your neighbour.

I can definitely appreciate and agree with this stance. We switch to a higher protein feed during molt, it’s just really hard to get them to eat anything during that time. And for us that’s when temps are usually the lowest, so I worry with the empty crops. The foraging happens but it’s too cold for bugs here at that time. The canned meat is just an easy source to mix into their mash for a protein boost if they have empty crops. The eggs are theirs that I water bath can and give back to them. I completely agree on the factory farming, though, it breaks my heart; I can always appreciate challenging it. What I could do to change this, is supplement with the elk meat I hunted last year instead. That would be a great alternative and not support factory farming. Or cut out the meat all together, that’s an option, too. I worry they wouldn’t eat enough, then. They usually won’t go for plain mash when molting, I have to jazz it up. How do you keep yours full during molt? I mean do you worry they’re not eating enough?

 

[RoyalChick]

I can definitely appreciate and agree with this stance. We switch to a higher protein feed during molt, it’s just really hard to get them to eat anything during that time. And for us that’s when temps are usually the lowest, so I worry with the empty crops. The foraging happens but it’s too cold for bugs here at that time. The canned meat is just an easy source to mix into their mash for a protein boost if they have empty crops. The eggs are theirs that I water bath can and give back to them. I completely agree on the factory farming, though, it breaks my heart; I can always appreciate the challenge to it. What I could do to change this, is supplement with the elk meat I hunted last year instead. That would be a great alternative and not support factory farming. Or cut out the meat all together, that’s an option, too. I worry they wouldn’t eat enough, then. They usually won’t go for plain mash when molting, I have to jazz it up. How do you keep yours full during molt?

I don’t hunt but I get venison from a neighbor who hunts the woods next to us. I love it and so do the chickens.

 

[alinas2010]

I don’t hunt but I get venison from a neighbor who hunts the woods next to us. I love it and so do the chickens.

It’s really hard for me to hunt if I’m being honest. But I do like knowing that it is more sustainable, ethical and healthier.