Layer pellets & scratch?? Less eggs or more?

[chkncrazy]

Your right it’s been pretty hot here in CT. Might be the stress from the heat. I would definitely not give them the scratch on a regular basis. I’ve had a 25 lb bag lasting me at least 6 months now. With free range they are getting plenty of treats.

Are you also from Connecticut , I've been finding it so hard the past couple of years to find started pullets besides leghorns or the red sex links at Monroe Agway and on Craigslist for just run-of-the-mill breeds people think they can charge $18 a chick or $50 a chicken when just one state over there $10 a chicken 2 dollars a chick lol! I'm like what's going on here! My best bet is to just buy day old mixes like I have every time I've had good luck but sometimes I just can't be bothered anymore with baby chicks after so many years hahaha

 

[RoosterML]

Are you also from Connecticut oh, I've been finding it so hard the past couple of years to find started pullets besides leghorns or the red sex link that Monroe Agway and I'm Craigslist for just run-of-the-mill breeds people think they can charge $18 a chick or $50 a chicken when just one stay over there $10 a chicken 2 dollars a chick lol! I'm like what's going on here! My best bet is to just buy day old mixes like I have every time I've had good luck but sometimes I just can't be bothered anymore with baby chicks after so many years hahaha

Yes up in Tolland county off of I-84. I am changing everything I have over to Primarily French Black Copper Marans. Also have some Ameraucana. Several people have been having me hatch and grow them out to 6 weeks and even 12 weeks.

 

[chkncrazy]

Yes up in Tolland county off of I-84. I am changing everything I have over to Primarily French Black Copper Marans. Also have some Ameraucana. Several people have been having me hatch and grow them out to 6 weeks and even 12 weeks.

Maybe I should use you as a source!!!! If you would like... I dont mind paying for good breeds! But u reduse to pay 50 for sex links or spent hens... id yous like message me your prices etc I can give you my info!!! Ive been thinking about BCM and just the past 3 years been gettung into colored eggs.. i have some whiting true blues!!

 

[Kiki]

Hi guys,

I have a odd question I guess Ive had chicken's for many many years but have never fed scratch grains, have just given them a layer pellets and occasionally bought small 5lb bags of cracked corn and gave it to them here and there they also free range, I've had chickens now that don't free-range because I lost some to Predators but they have a big run. Someone gave me a 50 lb bag of scratch grains so I give them a pan of layer pellets and a pan with some scratch grains at first they weren't touching the scratch now they seem to be eating the scratch grains and not the layer pellets as much and my egg production has gone down considerably, just need some suggestions on whether I should withhold the scratch grains until they eat the layer pellets or just give them to scratch grains occasionally?

Thank you for any and all suggestions!

Give the scratch right back to whoever gave it to you.
I wouldn't feed it.

 

[chkncrazy]

Give the scratch right back to whoever gave it to you.
I wouldn't feed it.

Lol I NEVER have.. and now its become chicken CRACK ... im like what did I create! Ha

 

[Kiki]

Lol I NEVER have.. and now its become chicken CRACK ... im like what did I create! Ha

I throw it away if I were you, for real.

 

[chkncrazy]

I throw it away if I were you, for real.

Lol and the first time was free... i didn't plan on buying it again theres a small amount left!!

 

[chkncrazy]

My standard Rex are doing great as a side note!

 

[black_cat]

I'm also in CT and yes, it is getting quite hot. I have no in practice experience with chickens (they're coming on Tuesday! ) but from what I have read scratch is not meant to be food, but should be a treat. I know of a farm that sells chicks and started pullets-they're a bit pricey though. Here's a link: https://www.clarkfarmbusiness.com/chickens-for-sale

 

[RoosterML]

Maybe I should use you as a source!!!! If you would like... I dont mind paying for good breeds! But u reduse to pay 50 for sex links or spent hens... id yous like message me your prices etc I can give you my info!!! Ive been thinking about BCM and just the past 3 years been gettung into colored eggs.. i have some whiting true blues!!

For grown out FBCM Pullets 12 weeks old I charged $30
For chicks I charged $10
Right now I don’t have any forsale.. all I have are mixed breeds left, which are 1/2 FBCM. I had 5 hens go broody and I just kept letting them sit on eggs. So needless to say I am starting to have to watch out where I step so I don’t squish them
I spent quite a few bucks this year on hatching eggs from several different breeders to have nice diversity in my FBCM stock.