New chicken owner in Montana, here to prepare for Winter

dbzillion

In the Brooder
Sep 21, 2022
13
64
49
I have 12 chickens, 1 is a rooster. I don't even know what kind they are - maybe 3 or 4 different kinds. I got them from someone who needed to get rid of all of her chickens slightly before I was really ready to have them. But it's been a few months and they're alive and happy - just stopped laying because they're throwing feathers everywhere getting ready for Winter, I guess. I'm finally here to find the most affordable way to feed them, to make sure I keep them cozy enough in the cold and snow and get a bit more organized about their care. I'm looking into fish meal as a protein supplement and also wondering if my adopted granddaughter might be able to raise worms for them. We are on a tight budget since I'm an old single mom on Social Security, so I've been driving to get my feed in bulk from a local farmer, but I loaded up on individual grains for the winter, so I'll be making my own mix - which is why I was thinking of adding a protein supplement.

By the way, my dog is in LOVE. She lets the chickens out mid-day (she taught herself how to open the gate) and follows them around until bedtime. She licks their butts and many allow it. Sometimes I find her in their coop at night - chickens quiet and everyone settled in. It's NOT a walk-in coop! lol. She always used to have a furrowed forehead, like she was looking at me waiting for me to give her something to do. She hasn't had that worried look since we got the chickens. Is this normal? I haven't worried about it because both the chickens and the dog seem happy. She's even taught the rooster how to play with her. It's pretty funny.

I'd let her sleep out there with them, but her nighttime job is to sleep with the two grandchildren of trauma who still have night terrors and PTSD. She's sort of an untrained service dog.
 
Hello and welcome to BYC! :frow Glad you joined.
Fish meal is an excellent protein source but you need to be very careful about mixing your own chicken feed. There's a lot more to it than just getting the protein content correct. It's rarely more cost effective to make your own feed than it is to just buy a good commercial mix.
 
Welcome to BYC! @DobieLover is right. Good nutrition is very important for healthy chickens and eggs. Commercial feed will give you the best value for your money.
Since you are preparing for winter, please read up on ventilation. And, since your dog is able to access the coop, a predator may be able to, also. If you post pictures of your coop, we can help you with ventilation and security issues.
 
I have 12 chickens, 1 is a rooster. I don't even know what kind they are - maybe 3 or 4 different kinds. I got them from someone who needed to get rid of all of her chickens slightly before I was really ready to have them. But it's been a few months and they're alive and happy - just stopped laying because they're throwing feathers everywhere getting ready for Winter, I guess. I'm finally here to find the most affordable way to feed them, to make sure I keep them cozy enough in the cold and snow and get a bit more organized about their care. I'm looking into fish meal as a protein supplement and also wondering if my adopted granddaughter might be able to raise worms for them. We are on a tight budget since I'm an old single mom on Social Security, so I've been driving to get my feed in bulk from a local farmer, but I loaded up on individual grains for the winter, so I'll be making my own mix - which is why I was thinking of adding a protein supplement.

By the way, my dog is in LOVE. She lets the chickens out mid-day (she taught herself how to open the gate) and follows them around until bedtime. She licks their butts and many allow it. Sometimes I find her in their coop at night - chickens quiet and everyone settled in. It's NOT a walk-in coop! lol. She always used to have a furrowed forehead, like she was looking at me waiting for me to give her something to do. She hasn't had that worried look since we got the chickens. Is this normal? I haven't worried about it because both the chickens and the dog seem happy. She's even taught the rooster how to play with her. It's pretty funny.

I'd let her sleep out there with them, but her nighttime job is to sleep with the two grandchildren of trauma who still have night terrors and PTSD. She's sort of an untrained service dog.
Welcome to BYC!! :)
 
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