Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[MrsNorthie]

the Sussex pullets are feisty!

I love feisty pullets!

 

[Perris]

It is probably the protein. I am in a Facebook group for keeping CX as pets (one of very few good sources for keeping them alive well into adulthood) and there they advise to add a bit protein in their feed when moulting/loss of feathers occurs.

Here in the Netherlands layer feed has about 14% protein, while all flock has around 15%. If the UK is the same then they could use the extra amount when moulting. If you have extra eggs you could also boil and crush those and feed them back to your flock.

Mine aren't on bagged feed, and have quite a variety of protein sources ordinarily. My guess is it's a particular micronutrient that she only wants/needs when moulting that she finds in the mealworms.

 

[RoyalChick]

Mine aren't on bagged feed, and have quite a variety of protein sources ordinarily. My guess is it's a particular micronutrient that she only wants/needs when moulting that she finds in the mealworms.

Don’t you ever get a craving? I am sure chickens are no different. She woke up and just fancied some meal worms!

 

[Perris]

Absolutely! But what is a craving? The body crying out for something it knows it needs and thinks it knows where to get it! Enter e.g. a bacon sarnie, a chocolate pudding, anchovies on toast or whatever. At least, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it

 

[BDutch]

As a % of total flock I think I got my fair share. 60% of my flock broody for most of the last 2 months.
Mostly all in the same nestbox.
View attachment 4207148

Here things are getting easier with broodies after we got back 2 weeks ago. Only one broody here with the name Katrientje.
The Amrocks are over a year old now (June 2024) and never got broody. Is it possible that old who stopped laying don’t have the urge to sit anymore. ?

Unfortunately I created a problem closing of the entrance to the nestboxes. I find eggs on the very unwanted places now.
Under the poop board, on the compost heap (outside their residence) and possibly in the garden of the neighbour.

Katrientje

Under the poop board;

 

[Skyeknight]

So my Silkie also went broody again. Her chicks are a little over 2 months old. I have hatched all the eggs I wanted at the moment, still waiting for my pullets to lay this year

So I will just leave the Silkie alone and keep all eggs away from her. Can't be bothered to break her. And besides can be quite interesting to see how long she will keep this up. I know that she regularly takes time off the "nest" so I have no worries about her health.

So looks like we all are dealing with stubborn broodies

 

[RoyalChick]

Absolutely! But what is a craving? The body crying out for something it knows it needs and thinks it knows where to get it! Enter e.g. a bacon sarnie, a chocolate pudding, anchovies on toast or whatever. At least, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it

That’s it. My craving for dark chocolate covered almonds is totally biologically necessary. I will get right on that.

 

[SimpleJenn]

Speaking of broodies, Gertrude the olive egger is considering it. I could fit so many eggs under her...
One of three new cockerels here, Copper Splash Marans. We'll be keeping one for genetic diversity I think.

and Wild Man, well he went for the dog so he had to relocate to a much colder climate. He was supposed to be butchered about a month ago and that extra time did a lot for him filling out and getting golden fat!