New Florida Chicken Owner - Some advice Please

[Ridgerunner]

Another thought on feeding them. Since your daughter is raising them for 4-H, showing them might be involved. Judges often reward big chickens. I personally don’t think them being bigger makes them any healthier or more productive, but judges often like big chickens. Feeding a higher protein level when they are growing can make them bigger. If you have a poultry person associated with 4-H you might chat with that person about feeding them. When I raise mine I don’t raise them for show, I raise them for production. That can require different feeding regimens.

Another trick is that judges really like nice glossy feathers. A trick show people sometime use is to trickle a bit of vegetable or mineral oil in their feed. You don’t want to overdo it, just a little oil can go a long way, but it does make a difference in the feathers.

Another trick, instead of drizzling oil, is to feed them some Black Oil Sunflower Seeds (commonly called BOSS). Again you don’t want to overdo it, but sunflower seeds are relatively high in protein and as the name implies, oil. How much protein or oil the sunflower seeds have will vary depending on variety and how they are harvested, cured, and stored. Feeding them a small handful of BOSS daily can make a big difference in how the feathers look, mainly due to the oil.

 

[Butterfly65]

Beautiful pictures by the way!!!

 

[duluthralphie]

Welcome to BYC..

I agree with everything but the gamebird feed. I feed my show birds game bird feed, the extra protein seems to help in size and feather setting. Extra protein is just washed away, but like someone else said we all have our own ideas as to how to feed them.

If I have any gamebirds in the mix I feed the higher protein too, I have never seen it hurt them, it does seem to help. but to each his own,,

The best part is just having birds, they are so cool. Are you in a place you can free range at all? I would try to give them extra space, to me the 4 ft per bird is a bare minimum, I prefer more room.



Enjoy the site and find the Florida state thread. They can help more on your area, and you might make some great friends.

 

[AllynTal]

Another thought on feeding them. Since your daughter is raising them for 4-H, showing them might be involved. .....

Quote:

I agree with everything but the gamebird feed. I feed my show birds game bird feed, .....

You know, the OP mentioned 4H and I didn't even think about showing the birds. I don't show mine so I can't speak to that. Paying more attention to the feed recommendations of folks who do will be a benefit to a young 4Her and is probably why the guy at the feed store recommended game bird feed. :::facepalm:::