Questions about the chicken run

[meridy]

Three two year olds and the other is one. They stopped being free range after winter. I am in New Hampshire. Once the snow melted in the run, that’s where they stayed. I had one brooding a few weeks ago. Broke her of that habit and then the egg production slowed and all the other issues of not drinking and eating as much as usual. I have been trying to problem solve about a week and then thought to reach out here. I appreciate all the feedback. And will try cutting out some sod in the back of our property and sprouting grain.

 

[Parront]

What is there actual age? You mention a year of eating your yard lol, are they a year? Like Parront said, lots can contribute to egg laying numbers! Have any of those other factors changed at the same time as their option to free range?

If they have always free-ranged since POL and you stopped that abruptly one day, it certainly can affect laying. But yup sod can be pricey. That's why I couldn't believe my friend's friend does that regularly! But for me it is free lol. Though she does not buy a roll, just a length of 6-8'. Heck maybe she trades eggs lol.

I have never sprouted grain...maybe I should try! Is that easy? Would be a great addition to winter feeding here in Michigan! Looks like a new thread to start!

Sprouting grain is very easy. Get seed from your feed store, the unmilled whole grain such as oats or alfalfa. Or buy the seed from a seed supplier, it will cost a little more but probably sprout better. Then spread the seed out in a pan to suit the size of your flock. Or use a quart mason jar for just a few birds. I use a pint jar to sprout alflafa seed for my salad and sandwiches. It takes a couple of days, depending on how warm it is. Wash it twice a day, keep it damp but not underwater. I get old bread pans at yard sales for a quarter, that is the good size for ~12 birds. Cover it in a plastic bag and keep it somewhere you won't forget to rinse it. I used to have a laundry porch where I had a deep sink (which I still miss!) and consider perfect for this kind of stuff. When it starts to show some roots, rince it once more and put it in a window or outside to green up without the plastic, just dump it in the run to feed the flock! Enjoy the chicken action as they destroy it in about 5 minutes!

 

[Beccazon]

Sprouting grain is very easy. Get seed from your feed store, the unmilled whole grain such as oats or alfalfa. Or buy the seed from a seed supplier, it will cost a little more but probably sprout better. Then spread the seed out in a pan to suit the size of your flock. Or use a quart mason jar for just a few birds. I use a pint jar to sprout alflafa seed for my salad and sandwiches. It takes a couple of days, depending on how warm it is. Wash it twice a day, keep it damp but not underwater. I get old bread pans at yard sales for a quarter, that is the good size for ~12 birds. Cover it in a plastic bag and keep it somewhere you won't forget to rinse it. I used to have a laundry porch where I had a deep sink (which I still miss!) and consider perfect for this kind of stuff. When it starts to show some roots, rince it once more and put it in a window or outside to green up without the plastic, just dump it in the run to feed the flock! Enjoy the chicken action as they destroy it in about 5 minutes!

So it is a single layer correct?

 

[townchicks]

I give my girls a head of romaine lettuce about once a week, and short clippings from the lawn, in small amounts, ( too long and it can cause impactions in the crop) and small amount of fresh fruit and veggies, cut into pieces they can manage. A lot of free ranging is eating bugs too, they'll get a few in their run naturally, but I give mine a hand full of dried mealworms or soldier fly larva from the feed store, or for a rare treat, some live crickets from the pet store. Variety is the key, IMO.

 

[Parront]

Three two year olds and the other is one. They stopped being free range after winter. I am in New Hampshire. Once the snow melted in the run, that’s where they stayed. I had one brooding a few weeks ago. Broke her of that habit and then the egg production slowed and all the other issues of not drinking and eating as much as usual. I have been trying to problem solve about a week and then thought to reach out here. I appreciate all the feedback. And will try cutting out some sod in the back of our property and sprouting grain.

2 years old slow down from what the laid as 1 year olds. And is is hot, molting time. Time to get some chicks!

 

[Parront]

So it is a single layer correct?

Yes, about an inch deep or so in a bread pan, jar 1/2 full depending on how leafy you let it get. If you let it get too leafed out it is not good in a sandwich. Look in the grocery produce department for a bean sprout or alfalfa sprout to get the idea on how us people like our sprouts. Birds will eat them longer and greener, but the sprouts get dried out too easy if you let them grow to long. 3-5 days is as long as it usually takes.

 

[Parront]

Here is a thread about this: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/best-grains-for-sprouting.1053657/#post-16143577

 

[Beccazon]

Three two year olds and the other is one. They stopped being free range after winter. I am in New Hampshire. Once the snow melted in the run, that’s where they stayed. I had one brooding a few weeks ago. Broke her of that habit and then the egg production slowed and all the other issues of not drinking and eating as much as usual. I have been trying to problem solve about a week and then thought to reach out here. I appreciate all the feedback. And will try cutting out some sod in the back of our property and sprouting grain.

You don't say when the egg production dropped. I assume it never picked back up after winter like we would expect? That I would not think to be a nutrient issue as much. I have heard of chickens being bored or depressed and that affecting egg production. Do you have things to do in the run? Random branches and logs for climbing and perching? Hang an ear of corn off the ground to nibble or hang something shiny to poke at like a small bell? Different soils to dig...sand in one area, dirt in another, gravely soil in another spot? Things to interest them through the day can help.

 

[Beccazon]

2 years old slow down from what the laid as 1 year olds. And is is hot, molting time. Time to get some chicks!

ALWAYS TIME TO GET CHICKS!

 

[Beccazon]

Yes, about an inch deep or so in a bread pan, jar 1/2 full depending on how leafy you let it get. If you let it get too leafed out it is not good in a sandwich. Look in the grocery produce department for a bean sprout or alfalfa sprout to get the idea on how us people like our sprouts. Birds will eat them longer and greener, but the sprouts get dried out too easy if you let them grow to long. 3-5 days is as long as it usually takes.

I love sprouts! Just never tried to do my own lol