South Florida chicken owner

[samolla1311]

Greetings all!

Thanks for taking the time to read this.
My Name is Sam and I am brand-new to the BYC scene. I started my adventure on November 16th 2020 when I received 4 day old Welsummer pullets in the mail. However due to a recent/tragic event I am currently left with a single Welsummer and a mystery chicken that was given to me as a consolation gift.

My intentions with my hens is to be able to have healthy happy chickens that can provide eggs. And my favorite thing so far has been watching them grow up and develop such distinct personalities and I cant help but take great pride in their development.

My hobbies include camping hiking and biking and and my chickens share my space with my 8 year old dog (who likes to supervise all chicken activities) and my two cats.
I found BYC since November and had been lurking on the site for tips and notes since but have only recently had the courage to join.

Thanks to all who took the time to read

 

[DobieLover]

Hello, Sam, and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
The courage to join?! Are we THAT scary?

 

[Melky]

Welcome love Florida. What happened to the chicks. Disease you think or flock kill (wild animals). Hatchery stock tends to be healthier and heartier here, NPIP certified and choose vaccination for Mareks. I also feed medicated feed till 8 weeks old so hearty against Coccidiosis. Two common fatal diseases with chickens. When new, brooding temperatures are essential.When new start with 20% protein like Purina flockraiser or starter grower feed of your brand and then can wean after 8 weeks to 18%. I stay at 18% till grown and laying. After laying in at 17% layer feed. Don’t forget to provide starter grit and advance as they age. Don’t need calcium supplement till they lay. Sad for the losses. Did the company replace, they sometimes do if notify of losses and happens quickly.

 

[samolla1311]

Hi Melky thanks for the reply.
The hens were vaccinated and were relatively healthy thankfully. Unfortunately I lost them to an animal attack. My cousin brought her Husky mix to my home and he broke into the chicken pen when he was left unattended. He was able to kill three before my dog stopped him.

 

[Melky]

So you are about 8 weeks old and should be on at least an 18% starter grower feed, same for grit. Ad lib water and feed. Limit treats to like cabbage leaves small and dried mealworms if want treats not more than 10% of diet.

 

[DucksAreBest]

Hi, welcome to BYC!!!

 

[Melky]

Hi Melky thanks for the reply.
The hens were vaccinated and were relatively healthy thankfully. Unfortunately I lost them to an animal attack. My cousin brought her Husky mix to my home and he broke into the chicken pen when he was left unattended. He was able to kill three before my dog stopped him.

Oh no so sorry ! I think in the future you will have to maintain a strict no pet allowed on property of others. Yours may be trained theirs are not. If they love you, they will understand. If I was your friend, I would be buying you some baby replacements.

 

[samolla1311]

Seems like I have the diet right although looking at percentages may be a little too liberal with the meal worms lol. I have also been giving them strawberries and blueberries along with the greens.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi Sam and welcome to BYC. Here are some helpful links:

• Great go-to resource - Articles
• Space requirements
• “How to...” guides
• Find other BYC members nearby using the links in my signature, below (turn your phone to landscape to see them).

Best wishes

Pork Pie

 

[Melky]

Seems like I have the diet right although looking at percentages may be a little too liberal with the meal worms lol. I have also been giving them strawberries and blueberries along with the greens.

Mine like fruit too but remember the nutrition is in the feed. Fine to do just not more than 10% of diet. My chicks treated everything I gave them like a potato chip.