Question on free ranging

[shmccarthy]

I've been working on making my eggs organic, and I want to ween my flock from the layer feed I've been getting them. Daily, they get fresh organic fruits and vegetables, free ranging in my yard (we don't put anything on our lawn at all) and a couple cups of layer feed.
I've been weening them off the layer feed because I wanted to switch to an organic feed. (I've been feeding them dumor layer crumbles) but none of the local feed stores sell it. I've checked online and the feed is pretty out of my price range. And I guess the weening is working because when I went to give them their layer feed today they turned their noses... er beaks up to it! None of them touched it. They just kept begging at the run door to go out in the yard and free range.

My question is, can I cut the Dumor feed completely an just keep feeding the fruits and vegetables and free range them, and still have them be really healthy? Are their any other things I can/should feed them (that is still organic) that they would need to keep producing eggs everyday? Do I need any vitamins or calcium supplements if I take them off the layer feed? They're all producing eggs everyday as it is and none of them have ever been sick or anything. Have any of you completely free ranged your chickens before?

 

[Keltara]

I've been working on making my eggs organic, and I want to ween my flock from the layer feed I've been getting them. Daily, they get fresh organic fruits and vegetables, free ranging in my yard (we don't put anything on our lawn at all) and a couple cups of layer feed.
I've been weening them off the layer feed because I wanted to switch to an organic feed. (I've been feeding them dumor layer crumbles) but none of the local feed stores sell it. I've checked online and the feed is pretty out of my price range. And I guess the weening is working because when I went to give them their layer feed today they turned their noses... er beaks up to it! None of them touched it. They just kept begging at the run door to go out in the yard and free range.

My question is, can I cut the Dumor feed completely an just keep feeding the fruits and vegetables and free range them, and still have them be really healthy? Are their any other things I can/should feed them (that is still organic) that they would need to keep producing eggs everyday? Do I need any vitamins or calcium supplements if I take them off the layer feed? They're all producing eggs everyday as it is and none of them have ever been sick or anything. Have any of you completely free ranged your chickens before?

I'm in Michigan as well. I feed my girls a completely organic diet. They free range from dawn till dusk 365 days a year and even in the winter! During the winter months, I feed them an organic commercial feed (Natures Grown Organics). No matter what the season, I always have an unlimited supply of the commercial feed available for my girls. Since they free range, they only rely on the feed when they need it. During the winter months, they eat a lot of it. During the good green gowning season, they hardly touch it but it is always available. Where in Michigan do you live? Perhaps I can put you on to an organic feed source.

Kelly

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Our Country Chronicles

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[shmccarthy]

I live in the flint area

 

[Keltara]

I live near you. I'll pm you.