Raising birds for kids with allergies

[deanna1ynne]

I need advice on raising ducks or chickens, and I'm reading through all the other threads, but hoped I could answer get some questions answered, please. We have a small yard in the city limits, and so are limited to two birds, without a permit. My children (2 yrs and 9 months) have severe food allergies, and cannot tolerate animal products if the animal has consumed corn, soy, gluten, or most other grains, as well as quinoa.

I know most birds rely heavily on grains, so what are my options in terms of feeding the birds? Especially as babies, since I can't purchase normal starter feed? Would it be better to get chickens, since I've heard that they tolerate table scraps better than ducks, or ducks, because I've heard that they can forage better than chickens? I'm not sure how much there is to forage in our yard, since it's only about 10x20, or so in back, with a small amount of additional space in the front.

We're also wondering which type of bird would be more newbie-friendly in terms of care, since my husband and are both city-people with no animal experience besides cats and dogs.

 

[BoonFarm]

Are you raising the chickens for eggs or meat?

Also if you on short on grass, try planting bird seed.(or maybe oats??)

If you are looking for a friendly egg laying breed, try the link below. It has a list of chicken breeds and behavior.

http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html

 

[BoonFarm]

Question:
Where do you live? Is it possible to have a farm friend raise 2 chicks for you on the diet that is required? If you aren't too far away from Kentucky, I would love to help out with this situation.

 

[deanna1ynne]

I guess I forgot to mention I'd want them for eggs! Sorry about that.

I live in Nebraska. I have a person who is willing to raise some chicks for me on whatever diet I want, but they usually buy the store-bought feed, and so have no idea what to feed them if they can't have that. So they told me to do the research on what would be good for the first four weeks, and then they'd do that for me, and I could have the birds after that.

They don't want to do it long term, because it would require keeping these two chickens away from the rest of their flock so the feed didn't get mixed up. I have another friend who offered to raise meat birds for me next year, but they also asked me to do the research on what the diet would need to be, since they usually rely pretty heavily on grains.

One person told me yesterday that chicks can eat just ground beef or drink whey for protein, but I don't know what else I'd feed them as chicks, nor what I'd feed them as adults.

 

[greenckick]

Try to contact a university with an Animal Science department. I bet they would have access to the information you are looking for and may be able to help you. North Carolina State University has a Department of Poultry Science. I would get a name and email from the directory and see what happens.
I did this before and got a response very quickly- you might even inspire some grad student research.