NY chicken lover!!!!

[rancher hicks]

1. Big Delores is a Lt. Sussex I got in a trade. Fox tried to carry her off but I went after it and not sure if it dropped her because she was so big or me chasing. I didn't see the fox til after I'd picked up Delores and brought her inside. She was limp for a bit but came round after a couple of days. When she started to lay again I knew she'd be okay.

2. Gramma sorry about your troubles. Folks always thing surgery is easy but for some it is anything but. Hope you feel better soon and tell that husband of yours to look after your chickens better. I do hope your girls survives, poor thing.

3. Not sure about that coop being winter hardy. You might have to make adjustments. They are thin. Not sure what the reviews say. You can google it and see. I do all the time. Just type in the name of the coop and reviews.

4. My hatch just ended and I had the opposite problem of not humid enough. Two chicks were dry and may not make it. I helped some out but that doesn't seem to work very well. At least for me. 12 other chicks are in the brooder now.

5. I have some a roll of chain link next to the house. I don't intend to use it. I'm too old to mess with it. 48" not sure how long. Come and get it. Otherwise the metal scrap guys will take it for scrap. My back yard has 4' chain link and it keeps my birds in just fine. Well most of the time. Some of them EE's get out but don't go far.

I'll post pics of chicks and birds later. DW comes home tomorrow and she has the camera. I'll feel better when she gets here I hope. Til she sees this house. You wouldn't believe I was neatest of four boys. Help me Jesus.

TTFN,

Rancher, too tired for words, Hicks.

 

[Chicken girl 15]

I think my feed store lady is easy to confuse. I feel bad. They only sell 1 brand of poultry feed ,but there is 8 different types. When we bought our chicks a year ago she sold us starter. Ok that makes sense they are just starting out. In week 12 of life she put us on grower, again makes sense they are growing. In December she put us on 22% protien all flock . Ok it says it's for mature birds , mine are grown and eat a ton. Today she told me I am the only one she knows who feeds their flock such high protein when not multing.

Now for my ?? Am I giving them the wrong feed with it so high in protien? They love it and eat less of it than the 15% grower. They are all big and shiny and healthy.

 

[tao chick]

I think my feed store lady is easy to confuse. I feel bad. They only sell 1 brand of poultry feed ,but there is 8 different types. When we bought our chicks a year ago she sold us starter. Ok that makes sense they are just starting out. In week 12 of life she put us on grower, again makes sense they are growing. In December she put us on 22% protien all flock . Ok it says it's for mature birds , mine are grown and eat a ton. Today she told me I am the only one she knows who feeds their flock such high protein when not multing.

Now for my ?? Am I giving them the wrong feed with it so high in protien? They love it and eat less of it than the 15% grower. They are all big and shiny and healthy.

Higher protein is ok, but so is layer at 16% depending on the age of the birds and time of year. Once spring hit I switched to layer because mine are outside eating bugs all day.

 

[Chicken girl 15]

Higher protein is ok, but so is layer at 16% depending on the age of the birds and time of year. Once spring hit I switched to layer because mine are outside eating bugs all day.

Mine are outside most of the day. I let them out about noon. Well out to free range, they are in and out of the coop/run from 2 hours before the sun. I don't want to use layer because all 3 of my roosters are in with the girls. I do have oyster shell free choice for calcium. So now that they are eating anything that moves should I lower the protien?

 

[rancher hicks]

As a rule I feed Country Fresh with 21% protein. I've read that "heritage" breeds need a higher protein.

In my experience. I got hit with heavy molting this past fall when I was feeding a 16% protein feed. I don't have "commercial" birds. Which really aren't any breed at all. They are hybrids. That's fine but can be less hardy than a pure heritage line.

I hatch my own chicks because I know who their parents are and it makes for hardier birds, because all the weaker genes get weeded out. Hatcheries do not do that.

All that said do your research. Do not rely on feed store employees who may know nothing from not experience.

They may say, "well my grampa had chickens and he.............." I say the chickens lines of today are not your grampas. Most likely grampa hatched his own or didn't have some of the breeds we have today.

In the end we all pretty much do what works for us. If you're happy with how your birds are laying and they seem healthy, just keep doing what you're doing.

I wish you well,

Rancher, soon to be chickenless asap, Hicks.

Jeopardy is on. TTFN

 

[Chicken girl 15]

As a rule I feed Country Fresh with 21% protein. I've read that "heritage" breeds need a higher protein. 

In my experience. I got hit with heavy molting this past fall when I was feeding a 16% protein feed. I don't have "commercial" birds. Which really aren't any breed at all. They are hybrids. That's fine but can be less hardy than a pure heritage line. 

I hatch my own chicks because I know who their parents are and it makes for hardier birds, because all the weaker genes get weeded out. Hatcheries do not do that. 

All that said do your research. Do not rely on feed store employees who may know nothing from not experience.  

They may say, "well my grampa had chickens and he.............."  I say the chickens lines of today are not your grampas. Most likely grampa hatched his own or didn't have some of the breeds we have today.

In the end we all pretty much do what works for us. If you're happy with how your birds are laying and they seem healthy, just keep doing what you're doing.  

I wish you well, 

Rancher, soon to be chickenless asap, Hicks. 

Jeopardy is on. TTFN

I'm only 1% higher than you so I think my girls (and boys )will be fine. Thank you.

 

[tao chick]

Mine are outside most of the day. I let them out about noon. Well out to free range, they are in and out of the coop/run from 2 hours before the sun. I don't want to use layer because all 3 of my roosters are in with the girls. I do have oyster shell free choice for calcium. So now that they are eating anything that moves should I lower the protien?

I agree with Rancher that higher protein is fine. I don't have a problem with my boys eating layer. I also agree with Rancher about not reading too much in to a feed store clerk says, or even me for that matter. Your birds are doing well and if it ain't broke...

 

[rancher hicks]

I'm only 1% higher than you so I think my girls (and boys )will be fine. Thank you.

You're welcome.

 

[PhoredaBurds]

I feed high protein too, and find the birds do better on it.

@Gramma ChickI'm so sorry about ur chicken. It's always tough to lose a bird. Even tougher when we feel like we should've been there. Hugs to you.

 

[koopmaster]

Hello, from Olean, N.Y. ( about 90 miles south of Buffalo) near the Pa. Border