NY chicken lover!!!!

[rancher hicks]

Quote:
Honestly I don't give the hens oyster shell unless I see a problem with soft shells, but you can put out oyster shell if it's too high for the chicks to get to. I'm about to switch the Del coop over to chick starter mixed with water now.

I don't switch until there are chicks in the coop. I never give chicks in with broody's medicated feed. Funny how it is but they don't seem to need it.

Insoluble grit I just dump in a pile and let the big ones do what they want. Moms seem to know how to raise the little ones without intervention from me.

It can be funny to see a chick too big to fit under moms wing try to get in there after she's gone back to the roost.

 

[cracrzy4chicks]

looking for advice.... i am about to let my two flocks finally live together, 6 young (10wks) will join 11 older (at least a year +) in the big coop. now heres the dilemma, how should i feed all of them? my feed store said i could give them all layer feed, does this sound ok? the youngsters are on grower right now, should i mix grower with layer? i still have about 20# of grower. the 6 youngsters are almost as big as my old girls, and i believe i have several roosters in that young flock as well. i was going to open the door seperating these 2 flocks and see if they get along. they've been sharing the run with the big girls which i seperated into 2 runs, but they are outgrowing the smaller part i put them in. SO, what should i do? give em all layer feed?

Where do you feed the little ones now ?? If you keep their feed in their run, I would think the littles would go to there own feed dish and the big girls would continue to use there own . I don't feed or water in the coop during the summer months. All my birds eat & drink outside and come in at night to roost.

 

[rancher hicks]

Did anyone respond yet?

My two cents. I feed my mixed flock whatever the youngest in the flock requires AND I add oyster shell (or ground up egg shells) on the side. And grit on the side (always) but the right size for the youngest in the flock. However I also suppliment with treats of all kinds....tomatoes, cabbage, noodles, bread....whatever I have in the fridge that is going to spoil soon. (They LOVE Hamburger Helper. LOL) AND they free range whenever the sun is shining. I feel they get a well rounded diet. They are all healthy, growing and laying eggs.

I agree with this. I just toss it and if mom brings them to eat it, what can I do? She knows better than I do. I do use an insoluble "grower" grit though. Just dumped they seem to know what to do. Chickens are amazing creatures. And fun to watch.

I like Hamburger Helper too but DW won't serve it.

Maybe I should sneak over to your place.

 

[rancher hicks]

sorry found the answer.

 

[jzervas92]

Hi everyone, I was wondering if anyone in orange, putnam, or Westchester county have any easter eggers/ ameraucanas, salmon faverolles, russian orloffs, welsummers, or cuckoo marans pullets for sale. Between the ages of two months old to a year (I would prefer 17 weeks old). I've been searching Craigslist for months and I'm ready to give up! Thanks!

 

[Lynzi777]

Perfect day for planting and my allergies have kicked in full swing. :-( So now I'm stuck laying out on my porch and enjoying this view:

 

[chicken blessed]

Hello everyone. I am new to this thread and I'm enjoying reading the posts.

 

[Nuttyfrom6kids]

Morning all.... Just wanted to share a picture of my house

. We had a tornado whip through here on Thursday (Delanson). Thankfully all of my critters are accounted for!

On the other hand, lots of downed trees, horse fence and one of my chicks runs are in shambles. Looks like we need a new roof and siding.

So glad that no one was hurt.

 

[chicken blessed]

Oh NO! So sorry to hear that! Please let me know if I can help in anyway. I was wondering how you made out after I saw the house on 20 coming home from work yesterday. Glad to hear that you and all your animals are OK.It could have been so much worse. Glad you are OK.

 

[LuvMyChicks1491]

It was such a nice day today. To bad I feel like crap with a nasty cold. I thought that we were past that time of year. So I didn't get to much done today. I wanted to get some more of my garden plants in the ground. Maybe tomorrow. I did let the silkie girls have free range of their area and they are loving it. I Let the little girls (ducks) out with the drakes and the rest of the chickens. The boys are still ravenous with them, but at least they leave them alone more then they used to. I need them to be okay with each other so I can move the babies (ducks) out of the crib to the run with everyone else. As soon as I think the girls will be fine with the drakes then the babies are getting booted out. I get tired of dragging them in and out of the back room every day. My broodies are doing good, but somehow Peepers has lost an egg. There is no sign of it anywhere. I can't find it or any of the shell or any remains for that matter. So now Peepers is down to 2 eggs. Rosita is doing great on her 3. I have figured out how to check them in the afternoon to make sure that I take all the new eggs away. Rosita is a lot nice then Peepers. She doesn't try to kill me. My Roo on the other hand tries to get me every chance he can. I think that he has exhausted his chances. I think he will be dinner pretty soon!