MJ's little flock

[BY Bob]

So, I said I wasn’t going to get any more chickens because I was too sad that they died too young at my place, but a rescue/rehoming situation came up, and I decided to take her. I’m also going to get the soil in the chook run tested for contaminants.

Meet Princess (named by my 14yo). She is currently in quarantine (as is Angel in the run), but as she’s tiny, hopefully the cage isn’t too small. I’ll also move it every couple of days so she gets fresh grass.

A big shout-out and thank you to @Wheredthischookcomefrom for looking after her. I’ll do my best to let her live her best chickeny life.

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She is a lucky young lady as she will be loved.

 

[BY Bob]

She jumped up by herself!

What a blessing!

 

[BY Bob]

I have a question for everyone.

The hens at my house definitely eat less in winter, but I've not measured it.

I've already done the googling and AI-ing.

Trouble is, you never really know if those are reliable sources of information, so I'm asking if your flock eats less in winter.

I can't really help. Mine ingest much more feed in the winter as there is no grass or bugs available here with snow cover and frozen ground.

 

[MaryJanet]

I can't really help. Mine ingest much more feed in the winter as there is no grass or bugs available here with snow cover and frozen ground.

Thanks Bob. Whereas at my place, a lot of green weeds and worms come up in Winter, which the hens enjoy nibbling instead of their "proper" feed.

 

[RoyalChick]

I tried keeping track of seasonal feed use but didn’t see much difference. I was expecting to see what Bib experiences.
What I have been shocked by recently is how much less feed they go through with my new rat-proof feeders.
This either means they were wasting a lot of feed by scooping it on the ground (which they certainly were, but I didn’t think to that extent), or that I am now starving my hens with the new feeder (which I worry about of course).
It is a bit hard to be sure though as almost everyone is broody so really it is only Pooh out and about and she is definitively not starving!

 

[BDutch]

I can't really help. Mine ingest much more feed in the winter as there is no grass or bugs available here with snow cover and frozen ground.

Mine eat more feed in winter too. Our soil isn’t frozen most of the time but nature comes a bit to a halt too. And it seems that cold makes it necessary to eat more to keep warm.

 

[MaryJanet]

I tried keeping track of seasonal feed use but didn’t see much difference. I was expecting to see what Bib experiences.
What I have been shocked by recently is how much less feed they go through with my new rat-proof feeders.
This either means they were wasting a lot of feed by scooping it on the ground (which they certainly were, but I didn’t think to that extent), or that I am now starving my hens with the new feeder (which I worry about of course).
It is a bit hard to be sure though as almost everyone is broody so really it is only Pooh out and about and she is definitively not starving!

What are the feeders like RC? Are they treadles?

 

[RoyalChick]

What are the feeders like RC? Are they treadles?

Yes. But not the usual kind where the lid comes down. The door swings in on these. They are made by a guy here on BYC. Not really a big company - one step more pro than made in his garage but definitely hand made. A few of us have them. He has been very helpful to me in setting them up and training the chickens. They are certainly keeping the rats out and my Princesses seem to have mastered them - particularly Pooh who revels in her skill and shows off at every opportunity!
https://ratproofchickenfeeder.net/videos/

 

[MaryJanet]

Yes. But not the usual kind where the lid comes down. The door swings in on these. They are made by a guy here on BYC. Not really a big company - one step more pro than made in his garage but definitely hand made. A few of us have them. He has been very helpful to me in setting them up and training the chickens. They are certainly keeping the rats out and my Princesses seem to have mastered them - particularly Pooh who revels in her skill and shows off at every opportunity!
https://ratproofchickenfeeder.net/videos/

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Very interesting!

 

[MaryJanet]

Yes. But not the usual kind where the lid comes down. The door swings in on these. They are made by a guy here on BYC. Not really a big company - one step more pro than made in his garage but definitely hand made. A few of us have them. He has been very helpful to me in setting them up and training the chickens. They are certainly keeping the rats out and my Princesses seem to have mastered them - particularly Pooh who revels in her skill and shows off at every opportunity!
https://ratproofchickenfeeder.net/videos/

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How long did it take for the hens to learn how to use it?