Michigan

[chikkaboomboom]

I made the Rice pudding and had to make a second batch 2 hours later..lol.. suddenly I had all the neighborhood kids at my house.
My chicks are doing fantastic, I have 1 blue Andalusian that rides on my shoe whenever I go out to the coop, very friendly little girl, shes fast becoming a favorite of mine.

 

[wishtofish]

Quote:
Any help out there? Looking for some suggestions....

What feed are you feeding? What scratch are you using? In what amounts? What are you diluting the buttermilk with? In what ratio?

You said you added it to their feed to keep them from pecking at each other. Has pecking been a problem? What size is your run? What size is your coop? How many chickens do you have (and what type)?

You don't have to bake and grind the egg shells; just rinse them off, crush them up and give them back to them.

There are probably as many reasons for egg eating/breaking as there are chickens doing it -- or at least close. It can be learned -- I've had hens learn to eat eggs after watching me feed them to the hogs and getting a taste of them there. It can be as a result of boredom -- if they are penned and lack environmental stimulus eggs can become the only interesting thing to peck at. It can be a result of nutritional deficiencies -- such as if a fortified diet is cut with too many treats that result in an imbalance.

I have eleven hens in a 7' X 8' coop. I have 7 Red Stars, 2 Black Stars, 1 Easter egger & 1 unknown. I am feeding them Purina Layena & the the scratch is Purina also. I keep their feeder 2/3's full & they get plenty of water..... I dilute the Buttermilk 50/50 with water. I have a few hens that are missing their feathers at the base of their backs where the tail feathers start.

 

[DaughterOfEve]

whiteofish, I have heard folks give kitten chow for added protein but I have a sex link hen that just is unpredictable. If she gets after eggs I go out to the coop as often as possible to remove eggs from the nest boxes. Put in fake eggs so she learns that if she pecks at them nothing happens. This works for a while until an egg breaks from floor laying or a softshell, then I am back to checking for eggs as often as possible. She is a feather eater as well, no matter how much protein I suppliment her, she still pecks and pulls feathers. She strips the muffs and beards off my easter eggers too. It is almost time to retire her. YEAH. I have kept her because she faithfully lays huge eggs like clock work. Good luck.

 

[Boyd]

I think it sounds more of a space issue rather than a food issue. Now that they can go out in the runs and range a bit more things should improve without changing much IMHO..

 

[chickendales]

Swap Meet
&
Flea Market
MAY 21, 2011
9am-3pm
Tuscola County Fair Grounds
Livestock, Feeds, Homemade & Household Items,
Toys & Children Items
Garage Sale & Swap meet Items,
And Much Much More!
Help Support 4-H
Space Available $10.00 ea
FREE ADMISSION
Contact Us For Information
Jennifer Beardslee
(989) 717-1370
or
Tuscola County MSU Extension
362 Green Street
Caro, MI 48723-1910
(989) 672-3870

 

[Yooper Chicks]

Thank you for the responses to my questions. The "mypetchicken" website is great! It even has an invaluable resource called "Which breed is right for me" which I --as a newbie--found very helpful in fitting the rights chicks with me and my kids.

The link is:
http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/which-breed-is-right-for-me.aspx

Hopefully, we're on our way to introducing some new critters to the beautiful Marquette area (which is currently under snow again after 60+ degree temps last week! I have bees too, and I'm just praying that they got into a huddle again with the sudden freezing temps!!)

Best~

 

[CricketYang]

Quote:
Yes, love MPC.. Also, if you have an iPhone, there's an app for that. lol

 

[keyt1969]

Picked up 5 Aracauna and 1 bantam unknown at Family Farm today. Just went in to stock up on egg crates. Plus last night I ordered 12 Aracauna hatching eggs on ebay.

The one on top is almost twice as big as the others, then there's one that's as small as the bantam!

My daughter's bantam to replace the one that was killed mysteriously. Anyone know what it is? Silver Sebright?


Aric and I are making out plans for a 4th expansion setup. So far the new chick setup is working perfectly! Who needs expensive coops and all that! lol

Today we went to Okemos to see a friend. When we left I said to Aric we should go see my grandma....the one that passed away a week ago yesterday. I felt both stupid and sad at the same time!

 

[Henny Penny04]

Thanks for the welcome!

I have a question for you experienced chicken keepers: I have a young Cubalaya, maybe 6 months old. Lately she has taken to sitting on everyone else's eggs during the day, before I collect them. She has also stopped laying. Is this "broody" behavior? The other hens do not have fertilized eggs, although she could, if she ever laid anymore. Our Cuba roo is terrified of the other big hens. She hasn't plucked out any feathers, or attempted to make a nest. Any way to get her to knock it off? I've read about using ice, locking her out, etc. but all those things assumes I'm home all day to mess around with her. I've been kicking her out of the coop when I come home from work, but so far, she just starts up the next day. Thoughts?

 

[Lynette]

Keyt1969, that bottom pic is a silver sebright.