New chicken owner in Montana, here to prepare for Winter

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dbzillion said:
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.
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Well God Bless you Grammy! What a selfless thing you are doing for those kiddos makes my heart happy. I do add floating fish food as my protein supplement. Have you thought about sizing down your flock to save on feed? They do eat a little more in winter. Do you have a feed mill close by? or just farm stores like Tractor supply ones ?
What a cute story about your Sweet dog . No that's not normal you have an angel there.
Do send pictures folks on here are very helpful. Welcome again.
 
Hi and welcome to BYC :frow We're so happy you've decided to join us:ya

Giving your birds a balanced diet is critical. Since you've already bought bulk grains here's a place where you can get recopies to make a balanced diet: https://www.fertrell.com/livestock-rations

You can find distributors near you on their site as well. If your grains don't match up to their rations, call them they can help you with what you have.
 

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