⠀ Organic oyster-shell ????

[UtePassChickens]

I am blown away at the level of detail! THANK YOU! I really appreciate the science. It is so much better knowing the why behind the hows! if you are ever in the pikes peak area let me know please!

 

[Little Fuzzy]

Very good post DR. This is the first time I have seen a post of yours and I enjoyed it very much.

 

[Little Fuzzy]

I agree. Although I'm no chicken expert, I think there is a reason God made the chickens slow their egg laying in the winter. We expect a lot out of those little bodies. I don't see any reason why they shouldn't get a little breathing room.

 

[jerrey]

thank you i learn a lot

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I agree. Although I'm no chicken expert, I think there is a reason God made the chickens slow their egg laying in the winter. We expect a lot out of those little bodies. I don't see any reason why they shouldn't get a little breathing room.

X2
We must remember, they are birds developed from red jungle fowl to be more productive for eggs and meat. What they aren't is egg laying machines. Some breeds have been pushed to their limits and we need to take that into consideration by providing the best nutrition possible.
I'm blown away by the people that don't feed a complete feed or restrict it and wonder why they aren't getting the production they expected by free ranging.

 

[Little Fuzzy]

I agree. I free feed layer feed and my girls free range all day. But I only have a third of an acre and I haven't seen a bug in the yard in a while. I don't expect the free ranging will support their daily needs, only provide fun.

 

[cavemanrich]

I agree. I free feed layer feed and my girls free range all day. But I only have a third of an acre and I haven't seen a bug in the yard in a while. I don't expect the free ranging will support their daily needs, only provide fun.

Since I got chickens some 20 years now. Bugs are scarce compared to before. I'm a city slicker with a back yard. The girls free ranging pick everything clean.

 

[UtePassChickens]

we have been tempted to open up the gates and let the girls romp across our 7 acres, but I am not sure how long they would last. we have so many predators, my dog regularly trees fox out back (didnt know a fox could climb trees till i seen with my own eyes -just grey fox it turns out). we also get a couple golden eagles and the occasional bald eagle that will perch above the run and just stare (figure looking for the weak spot lol...had a black bear try to get in but got tangled in the poultry wire and ran away (hasnt been back that I can tell)...although I talked to a gentleman in Washington in the mountains and he lets his free range but said the only birds he found that seem to survive the free range in the mountainsare the amerucana's (sp)???

 

[junebuggena]

Easter Eggers, not Ameraucana, are outstanding free range birds. They are ridiculously agile for such heft birds. My flock is about 50% Easter Egger at the moment. A healthy crow population on the property will help to significantly reduce aerial predation and also serve as an early warning for ground predators. Without crows regularly patrolling the area, I wouldn't ever consider free ranging.
You will need to deal with the fox before you can free range. It's likely the same fox that gets repeatedly treed by the dog. The second you let your birds out, that fox will start taking them. Bears are everywhere around here, and are very habituated to people, but they show little interest in trying to catch a chicken. They prefer easier meals, like chicken feed.

 

[UtePassChickens]

much thanks! we do have a flock of crows come through every few days...been trying to get the to stay, I had put corn out, but just got fat squirrels and deer lol! we have a huge concentration of Magpie, but i am not sure if they would keep aral predators at bay, or be the predator - they surprise me on the size of rodents and snakes i have seen them hunt!