"Louisiana "La-yers" Peeps"

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alwaystj9 said:
There is a difference between pets & farms. I have a farm. I have to consider my bottom line, especially with feed prices the highest they have ever been and egg prices not increasing at the same rate. I have healthy, active chickens who are excited to run out to the pasture each morning. They are fed regularly, they have covered & safe roosting and nesting areas. No heaters, no a/c, no fans. I have thought about automating some things but have decided against as it is better for me to see how much of consumables they are using. It cuts down on waste. They are watched and treated for disease, injury & illnesses. I do not vet ill chickens unless I believe that their ailment is contagious and harmful to the flock. They are pretty much left alone to do their thing. I do not spend extra $ on treats & supplements, on nest box herbs, on chicken clothing. Others are free to do that, it doesn't affect my way of doing things. My chickens have a job to do: lay eggs, break up and scatter clumps & poop in the pasture, eat bugs and clean up other animals waste food. They are also fun little animals whose zest for life and enjoyment of the world is more than a little bit inspirational. I wish I was as overjoyed to greet each day as my chickens are.
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this is how i normally function as well. though i do give treats and unfortunately mine aren't fully free range though they do have their own yard.
 
Theorrin said:
my chickens stay outside (aside from chicks up to 3 weeks then they go to the outside brooder). if its hot ill give them frozen fruits and veggies (they already have a water container they can step in to cool off). yes they may just be "chickens" but all animals deserve to be taken care of. i wouldn't put an ac/heater in their coop (unless its a closed one). but put yourself in the chickens situation. wouldn't you want to be given something tasty every now and then instead of eating the same thing over and over again? wouldn't you like it if someone helped you keep cool/ warm during rising/falling temps with the equivalent of a fur coat and no shoes? yes some can go extreme and yes they're animals BUT you should also consider that its your job as their provider to help them out or risk losing an animal to a slow death on some occasions. I am by no means an animal rights activist of any kind but happy healthy animals provide better tasting products.
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Yeah…will take care of them sure, but the pampering is a bit too much. I believe it will actually cause more harm than good. A spoiled animal is significantly less able to adapt to environmental conditions- especially if power goes out (hurricane).

Giving daily treats can be hazardous also- not only with their health but their need and ability to forage for themselves.
Maybe in a can to train to get back in the run/coop…

Idk, still learning.
 
This will be at the West-Cal Arena in Sulphur, Louisiana, July 15. MOre info at website
http://chickenfest.org/
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alwaystj9 said:
There is a difference between pets & farms. I have a farm. I have to consider my bottom line, especially with feed prices the highest they have ever been and egg prices not increasing at the same rate. I have healthy, active chickens who are excited to run out to the pasture each morning. They are fed regularly, they have covered & safe roosting and nesting areas. No heaters, no a/c, no fans. I have thought about automating some things but have decided against as it is better for me to see how much of consumables they are using. It cuts down on waste. They are watched and treated for disease, injury & illnesses. I do not vet ill chickens unless I believe that their ailment is contagious and harmful to the flock. They are pretty much left alone to do their thing. I do not spend extra $ on treats & supplements, on nest box herbs, on chicken clothing. Others are free to do that, it doesn't affect my way of doing things. My chickens have a job to do: lay eggs, break up and scatter clumps & poop in the pasture, eat bugs and clean up other animals waste food. They are also fun little animals whose zest for life and enjoyment of the world is more than a little bit inspirational. I wish I was as overjoyed to greet each day as my chickens are.
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“difference between a pet and a farm”

I like this rational reasoning.
 
Ragfrey said:
Yeah…will take care of them sure, but the pampering is a bit too much. I believe it will actually cause more harm than good. A spoiled animal is significantly less able to adapt to environmental conditions- especially if power goes out (hurricane).

Giving daily treats can be hazardous also- not only with their health but their need and ability to forage for themselves.
Maybe in a can to train to get back in the run/coop…

Idk, still learning.
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yep. exactly why i don't go overboard cause i live in hurricane lane. but i do do the little things to help out when we (like now) have extreme heat. cause its feeling like 117 out there and a little ice in their water might keep them alive. i do give mine daily treats but a small handful of mealworms to 50+ chickens isn't hurting anyone lol
 
This is my setup. Im alot like @alwaystj9 , some call me hard, not caring. But i provide the things that help them live. There not miserable by any means. If I lose power it doesnt afffect my flock. There is enough feed in feeder to last 10-12 days, and water is on a float / equalizer that never runs out unless i lose city water “and” my 1/2 acre pond. If i have a sick bird, i will try and seperate / heal with simple meds i keep on hand. And by simple, its benadryl, aspirin, ibuprofen, chicken no peck / purple spray. I dont buy meds just for chickens. If its bad enough the bird is culled rite then. I have an easter egger that about once a month i have to help empty her crop. It doesnt impact her daily health, but if she starts suffering i will put her down.

I dont put money into a free hen that i hatched that can be easily replaced next time i get a broody hen. Which i have about 5 or 6 broodies. Roos are treated same way. A horny pubescent teenage cockerel is one thing; bc the matur hens put them in there place. But flog me once shame on me. Twice shame on you. Meet the 22! Flog the wife or a kid, dead on first time. I dont agree with the coddling and babying of a rooster to say “aw he can be fixed “… yea sure can , fixed with taters & gravy. (Or any chicken for that matter)
If a rooster impacts flock dynamics, see above . Its not tolerated. I have one rite now that has until monday for someone to take. If not he meets his own fate

 
I do have a fan in the coop… serves two purposes.. helps cool them but mainly it is the best mosquito deterrent! And when it is as hot as it’s been I keep the hose nozzle on mist which helps cool the air and creates puddles for them to wade in. This helps them tremendously! Now they could live without the fan but I know at least one of my gals (buff Orpington) may not make it without the hose. The other day I was out changing all the waterers and she came stumbling over.. literally not able to stand or walk straight and gasping for air! Good thing I was out there and with the hose no less! I placed her in a puddle and hosed her down, saving her life! She is one of my five year olds. I do like to sit with them and hold and hug them but I will not bring one to the vet! I have only lost three of my gals in the five years that I’ve had chickens with a total of 36 over the years and some I have rehomed. If I see one that looks ill I definitely like to leave them be and they usually turn around for the better in a day or so🤷🏼‍♀️ So yes, I agree that you do not need to rush them to the vet cuz they seem to work things out or culling if need be. But I do recommend helping them out some in this heat unless you are okay with losing some which could very well happen. I mean, I know we will lose some at some point but if there is a way to prevent it then I think we should … same as predator proofing our coops. But it’s also your choice and you need to do what feels right for you😊
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