NY chicken lover!!!!

[marquisella]

I keep the scratch in a metal can but the feed is in plastic jugs inside the runs or coop. I've been catching squirrels and dealing with them so they don't come back. New ones move in and the process goes on.

I've been setting traps for mice and caught 11 in the last three days. I lost one trap with a mouse in it. I suspect a live one dragged it off trap and all. I'll find it at spring cleaning time.

I'll be you money, it was a rat, not a mouse!

 

[stonykill]

I'll be you money, it was a rat, not a mouse!

x2 on that!

 

[marquisella]

I don't know if it is coincidence or not, but if I drop a flock block in the chickens seem to get back to egg production a lot quicker. I was getting 3-5 eggs a day, and with in a week of dropping a flock block in, they were in the 8-10 range.(15 total chickens most at 16 months +)

Framac

Try upping the protein. Sometimes 1 6% isn't enough in the winter. I've also used cabbage as an egg inducer. Besides, it gives them something to do if they are bored. Hang a cabbage in an onion net just low enough so they can peck at it... chicken basketball, or kinda....

 

[vmdanielsen]

Hi Everybody,
Newbie here with a question : What, if antyhing do you guys supplement your feed with during the girls molt to help them thru it ....... and start laying again ?


Thanks Juanita

Juanita! I grow mealworms and this time of year, the chicken molting the hardest, gets the most mealworms!! when I go out there is chicken frenzy. They all love meal worms. Also , I give them kefir daily to help boost protein. I do not worry about protein when they can get their own bugs, but , during a molt, I think that upping it is a good thing! Ginny.

 

[cheeka]

my first batch of FF is ready, but it was dark by the time I got in from work, so they'll get to try it in the morning. personally, I think it smells really good... the batch for the new chicks will be ready in the morning, they have shipped... so hopefully they arrive on time and make it home first thing! I wish I could take the day off, but with no guarantee that they will arrive... it would be my luck to take the day off and have them arrive on Wednesday... but I have a short day, should be home around 1ish, spend a little time with the big ones free ranging, if it's nice out... and then the rest of the afternoon and evening with the chicks, taking pictures and playing!!!

 

[vmdanielsen]

my first batch of FF is ready, but it was dark by the time I got in from work, so they'll get to try it in the morning. personally, I think it smells really good... the batch for the new chicks will be ready in the morning, they have shipped... so hopefully they arrive on time and make it home first thing! I wish I could take the day off, but with no guarantee that they will arrive... it would be my luck to take the day off and have them arrive on Wednesday... but I have a short day, should be home around 1ish, spend a little time with the big ones free ranging, if it's nice out... and then the rest of the afternoon and evening with the chicks, taking pictures and playing!!!

Have fun!!!!!!

 

[Adoravachick]

What are the benefits of fermented feed?

 

[stonykill]

What are the benefits of fermented feed?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/644300/fermenting-feed-for-meat-birds

I know it says meat birds but I think it is all pretty well covered here

 

[cracrzy4chicks]

Juanita! I grow mealworms and this time of year, the chicken molting the hardest, gets the most mealworms!! when I go out there is chicken frenzy. They all love meal worms. Also , I give them kefir daily to help boost protein. I do not worry about protein when they can get their own bugs, but , during a molt, I think that upping it is a good thing! Ginny.

Ewwwww, I can't see myself growing mealworms !

( Although I never thought I'd have chickens !! ). Maybe I could buy some. What is kefir ?


Thanks Ginny

 

[Adoravachick]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/644300/fermenting-feed-for-meat-birds

I know it says meat birds but I think it is all pretty well covered here

Thanks!