Maine

[Wee Acre Farm]

A radio is very helpful in keeping alot of these predators away. I know there are fox, coyotes and raccoons around my farm, I play radios 24-7 and haven't had anything come around

 

[CoopChick719]

Any other Maine readers using fermented

Isn't there a concern about feeding layer to chicks because of the calcium?

I'm fermenting feed but my girls haven't been very enthusiastic about it lately. They always look at it like my younger sister did when she was little & didn't like her dinner. She would tell my mother "Me no like this yucky food!"

So, a raccoon is trying to get into my hen house last night. I was wondering if any if you have tried a spot light to keep beasts away?
Thanks

How about a "hot" wire run across the top if the fence?

 

[lazy gardener]

None of my birds get layer feed. I've chosen to go with Multi-flock raiser, and supplement with calcium for the layers. It prevents having to buy different kinds of feed to accommodate layers/non layers, and gives them a higher quality/protein feed. Last year, my girls started laying at 16.5 weeks on the multi-flock. I just prefer crumble over pellets. I also won't use medicated feed for chicks, and the multi-flock is never medicated.

 

[lazy gardener]

None of my birds get layer feed now. I've chosen to go with Multi-flock raiser, and supplement with calcium for the layers. It prevents having to buy different kinds of feed to accommodate layers/non layers, and gives them a higher quality/protein feed. Last year, my girls started laying at 16.5 weeks on the multi-flock. I just prefer crumble over pellets. I also won't use medicated feed for chicks, and the multi-flock is never medicated.

Coop chick: if your girls were eating FF well, and have stopped eating it, is it possible that the feed is getting old, even though it still smells and looks fine to you? I had a bag of layer feed that my girls wouldn't touch last winter, no matter how I served it. They were literally starving. So I replaced it with Multi-flock, and they started eating like they'd been starved to death, and they soon regained their lost weight.

 

[Cknldy]

Does the multi-flock feed cost more? I have debated about this for a while with myself because even when roos are separated I am stuck giving layer feed to them. Not to start a big debate in the wrong category- my layers get oyster shell free choice anyhow so I may try some multi-flock formula. I wonder if I'll see a difference in the roos? They have done grand having the layer, as evidenced by our latest butcher of extra cocks not sold. Man was he healthy! (And delicious)

 

[IZZYBELLA]

This multi-flock vs layer discussion is really interesting to me. When I started my girls on layer (when they started laying in the fall), they wouldn't eat it and lost weight. I tried the multi-flock and supplement with oyster shell free choice and they immediately went back to eating their food. I just bought a bag of layer again and I'll see what they do with it. In retrospect, I'm kicking myself for buying the bag of layer... if they seem to be doing well why switch it up. Grrr.

Cknldy - I haven't noticed a difference in price, but I was so worried about finding something they would eat that I wasn't paying attention.

LG - mine will only eat crumble, too. The pellets are apparently too big, although they never hesitate to wolf down a treat that is much larger than a pellet!

 

[anyasmifya]

Isn't there a concern about feeding layer to chicks because of the calcium?

I'm fermenting feed but my girls haven't been very enthusiastic about it lately. They always look at it like my younger sister did when she was little & didn't like her dinner. She would tell my mother "Me no like this yucky food!"
How about a "hot" wire run across the top if the fence?

What's a hot wire? Is that an electric fence?

I tried to call the gov't warden about the legality of hunting/trapping to protect one's animals on one's property. Nobody answered tried two different numbers. Then was going to try e-mailing them but they wanted way too much info. The website was confusing. Maybe they got a snow day! I always thought it was legal to shoot or trap on your own property to protect your animals but then I always here different answers from people.

I feed my girls/boys layer pellets, they get some scratch in the morning and they have oyster shell free choice plus occasional leftover goodies.

 

[lazy gardener]

Yes, there is an issue about giving layer to chicks b/c of the extra calcium. I also wonder what is the best feed option. The multi flock is 22% protein. There are those who say that extra protein is not good b/c it causes them to reach sexual maturity and start laying before their bodies have achieved full size. Others say that the extra protein is good, especially where heritage birds are concerned b/c it gives them an extra boost where it takes them so long to grow out. If any one is an authority on this, please weigh in. All I know, is that my girls seem to do better with the multi-flock. But, if you buy it, be sure they give the crumbles you ask for instead of pellets. I'm not sure if there is a multi-flock maintenance diet as well as a multi-flock starter/grower (which is what I asked for and it shouldn't have been pelleted.) If you do get it for your chicks, be prepared for the employees to tell you that you can't give it to baby chicks, and that they must have medicated feed. The issue of whether to give medicated feed is an individual decision, and shouldn't be made for you by some bimbo at the feed store who doesn't even raise poultry. Ok, rant over!!!

 

[lazy gardener]

Yes, there is an issue about giving layer to chicks b/c of the extra calcium. I also wonder what is the best feed option. The multi flock is 22% protein. There are those who say that extra protein is not good b/c it causes them to reach sexual maturity and start laying before their bodies have achieved full size. Others say that the extra protein is good, especially where heritage birds are concerned b/c it gives them an extra boost where it takes them so long to grow out. If any one is an authority on this, please weigh in. All I know, is that my girls seem to do better with the multi-flock. But, if you buy it, be sure they give the crumbles you ask for instead of pellets. I'm not sure if there is a multi-flock maintenance diet as well as a multi-flock starter/grower (which is what I asked for and it shouldn't have been pelleted.) If you do get it for your chicks, be prepared for the employees to tell you that you can't give it to baby chicks, and that they must have medicated feed. The issue of whether to give medicated feed is an individual decision, and shouldn't be made for you by some bimbo at the feed store who doesn't even raise poultry. Ok, rant over!!!

Yes, Anya, a hot wire is an electric wire. It can be charged with a battery or standard household current, depending on what kind of charger you buy. It will need a ground rod, so I don't know if you could set one up before the frost is out of the ground. It's an excellent option for keeping critters from climbing your fence, but you must put it in such a way that it can't be dragged onto your wire fencing! My recommendation, if you are not going with strictly electric, is to run 3 -4 strands placed about a foot outside of your regular fence, starting at 4 - 6" and then every 6 - 8". Or perhaps 2 at the bottom, and one at the top. You can make the fence extra effective by smearing a bit of peanut butter or tuna fish oil on it, any thing to encourage the critter to make nose or tongue contact. I guarantee, that if the fence is set up properly, that critter won't test the fence again, but will move on to easier pickings. There's something very satisfying about laying in bed at night, and hearing a coon cussing up a storm when he gets zapped!!!

 

[quailtrail]

My Americana eggs arrived!!! Can't wait for Sat to set them for the hatch-a-long. Candeled what's already in the incubator at day 5...appearing like a lot of yolk...a few looked promising. Will try again Friday and see what we have viable.