If feed stores closed and you can’t free range...

[Cryss]

How many square feet of raised per bird? The panic for me is not having a clue about plant productivity and how much is required to support even one bird. You scare me.

There are 4 imaginary hens of standard size. The entire imaginary roof is 150x150. The imaginary coop and run take up one third of the roof.
Why panic? It’s all imaginary. Just have fun.

 

[rosemarythyme]

during a quiet moment as my mind wandered I wondered what would happen in a zombie apocalypse with no chicken feed.

I already have a plan for the zombie apocalypse. We'd let the chickens free range and forage (probably not great forage, but 4 acres should suffice for 7 birds). We'd survive off of veggie omelets. But once the end was nigh with zombies closing in, we'd start eating the chickens. Might as well go out with a bbq chicken dinner...

 

[cottontail farm]

For about a year now I've been keeping a little pail beside the kitchen sink. EVERY scrap of people food goes in there during the day and gets fed to the chickens in the morning. We have 2 small kids and you'd be shocked at how quickly those tiny scraps add up to a lot of "free" feed each day. Think bread crusts, berry tops, a few cheerios that get dropped on the floor, the 1/4c of whatever left over from dinner etc. It adds up really quickly once it becomes habit not to put that stuff in the trash can.The chickens love it and I really think it gives them a more diverse diet. And sorry, if it's good enough for my family I don't feel at all bad about feeding it to a chicken.

 

[SnapdragonQ]

For about a year now I've been keeping a little pail beside the kitchen sink. EVERY scrap of people food goes in there during the day and gets fed to the chickens in the morning. We have 2 small kids and you'd be shocked at how quickly those tiny scraps add up to a lot of "free" feed each day. Think bread crusts, berry tops, a few cheerios that get dropped on the floor, the 1/4c of whatever left over from dinner etc. It adds up really quickly once it becomes habit not to put that stuff in the trash can.The chickens love it and I really think it gives them a more diverse diet. And sorry, if it's good enough for my family I don't feel at all bad about feeding it to a chicken.

I do the same thing with the same types of things.... it's amazing how many cheerios hit the floor in a day! Instead of a bucket I snag the used zip baggies from school lunch boxes or food packaging.
My girls know to watch me closely when I come around and they check my jacket pockets. The moment they hear the rustle of the bag they all go bonkers.
They are so bad that on the rare occasions I don't have a bag of goodies I get "the look."
The wing on the hip and raised eyebrow offended look.

 

[Cryss]

For about a year now I've been keeping a little pail beside the kitchen sink. EVERY scrap of people food goes in there during the day and gets fed to the chickens in the morning. We have 2 small kids and you'd be shocked at how quickly those tiny scraps add up to a lot of "free" feed each day. Think bread crusts, berry tops, a few cheerios that get dropped on the floor, the 1/4c of whatever left over from dinner etc. It adds up really quickly once it becomes habit not to put that stuff in the trash can.The chickens love it and I really think it gives them a more diverse diet. And sorry, if it's good enough for my family I don't feel at all bad about feeding it to a chicken.

I do the same thing. Well, I do eliminate beans since those are toxic for chickens. And I know they won’t eat citrus foods like oranges and such, they just don’t like them I guess. But none of that is a problem. That bit goes into the compost pile.

 

[KiwiandPeachthePigeons]

Ugh everything is shut down here in New Mexico. I won’t be surprised if they put the city on lockdown. There’s no supplies anywhere, there’s nowhere open anywhere. Six cases so far here.

 

[Cryss]

If this thread is helpful to anyone who is experiencing a hardship, be it virus, financial, location, whatever, then be blessed by it in Jesus name.

So what about weeds? They have lots of seeds. Maybe there are some that would be good to cultivate just for the chickens.

Hmmmm! A garden plot of dandelion? Feed them the leaves, the flowers, and those puffy seed heads! What other weeds would be plentiful and a good idea?

 

[PirateGirl]

@Cryss that's where I'm at "weeds" some of our "weeds" include wheats, and a variety of grasses that seem to produce good seeds. We also have wild sage, yarrow, roses, and juniper, which are useful in different ways. One thing I wish I knew more about was all the different plants that grow locally and how they can be used. I feel like I should at least own a book on this that I can reference as needed/desired.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Weeds are all well, good, and useful, but it would be hard to harvest a lot of seeds from scattered crops of weeds, unless the chickens are free-ranging *for themselves. I'd rather invest in seed packets of quick-producing stuff, like sugar beets and kale.

 

[21hens-incharge]

*sigh*
Lots of freaked out people here where I live. Schools are closed or closing. That is sure to put a pinch on lots of working parents.

I do need to get a bag or 3 of chicken feed this weekend. Nothing crazy just the normal purchase.