squirrels eating feed?

[gel2727]

I have 15 chickens about 17 weeks old (13 brown egg layers 2 buttercups) and I am buying a 50 lb bag every week (maybe 1.5 weeks). I haven't had chickens in a few years but I don't remember them eating so much! I toss them greens every day, and leftovers and fruit several times per week. They have a dirt run but I try to let them out every day, but they don't get out as often as I would like because I have to watch them. I have seen a squirrel in their run before so I'm wondering if I am feeding him too? We are going through a tough time right now and I'm having trouble buying a 50lb bag every week, we can't afford to feed squirrels! Do you think they are helping themselves or am I just not remembering how much chickens actually eat?

 

[XtremeRooster]

I have 15 chickens about 17 weeks old (13 brown egg layers 2 buttercups) and I am buying a 50 lb bag every week (maybe 1.5 weeks). I haven't had chickens in a few years but I don't remember them eating so much! I toss them greens every day, and leftovers and fruit several times per week. They have a dirt run but I try to let them out every day, but they don't get out as often as I would like because I have to watch them. I have seen a squirrel in their run before so I'm wondering if I am feeding him too? We are going through a tough time right now and I'm having trouble buying a 50lb bag every week, we can't afford to feed squirrels! Do you think they are helping themselves or am I just not remembering how much chickens actually eat?

Squirrel is good fried, in rice, and in dumplings. Especially if you brine them or soak them in milk / eggs overnight before cooking. I have a freezer full of squirrel. I can shoot them with a shotgun where I live. I also have a rental lot in the city. I go over there with my son and a high power pellet rifle and thin the squirrel population out. They will decimate my pecan crops if I don't. I have the same number of chickens and I'm getting two weeks or more to a bag of feed. It sounds like you could be feeding more than just squirrels and chickens. Is there anyway you can cover your run with wire or a tarp? My chickens free range most afternoons. JMHO

 

[Valk]

I have 12, 22-week old chickens and they do not - and did not- go through that much food in week. I'd say I buy a 50-pound bag of feed every 3 weeks. Now that they're on layer feed, they seem to eat even less of that. It sounds like you're feeding Mr. Squirrel as well. Is he getting in your run through a hole? I'd plug up everywhere he may be entering the run. Don't rule this out: Squirrels. Taste. Good. Especially since he's been on chicken feed! Good luck!

 

[Valk]

Squirrel is good fried, in rice, and in dumplings. Especially if you brine them or soak them in milk / eggs overnight before cooking. I have a freezer full of squirrel. I can shoot them with a shotgun where I live. I also have a rental lot in the city. I go over there with my son and a high power pellet rifle and thin the squirrel population out. They will decimate my pecan crops if I don't. I have the same number of chickens and I'm getting two weeks or more to a bag of feed. It sounds like you could be feeding more than just squirrels and chickens. Is there anyway you can cover your run with wire or a tarp? My chickens free range most afternoons. JMHO

Sounds like we're in agreement, XtremeRooster.

 

[ChickenLegs13]

.... Squirrels. Taste. Good.  Especially since he's been on chicken feed!  Good luck!

I got some kind of squirrels that come in my pens at night and eat chicken feed. They're the same size & color of a regular squirrel only they aint go no hair on they tail. Should I cook them like a regular squirrel?
Sounds like the OP is feeding more rodents than birds. 50 # should last 2-3 weeks.

 

[joannefiddler]

I have 15 chickens about 17 weeks old (13 brown egg layers 2 buttercups) and I am buying a 50 lb bag every week (maybe 1.5 weeks). I haven't had chickens in a few years but I don't remember them eating so much! I toss them greens every day, and leftovers and fruit several times per week. They have a dirt run but I try to let them out every day, but they don't get out as often as I would like because I have to watch them. I have seen a squirrel in their run before so I'm wondering if I am feeding him too? We are going through a tough time right now and I'm having trouble buying a 50lb bag every week, we can't afford to feed squirrels! Do you think they are helping themselves or am I just not remembering how much chickens actually eat?

gel, In addition to patching obvious holes, can you remove your feeders when you lock up the coop for the night? I've been doing that to avoid attracting nocturnal rodents...I don't even want field mice getting fat on my dime. I put the two feeders into a Rubbermaid type container with a locking lid each night. I've got 11 chickens of similar age and I think my 50 lb bag will last 3-4 weeks.

 

[Valk]

I got some kind of squirrels that come in my pens at night and eat chicken feed. They're the same size & color of a regular squirrel only they aint go no hair on they tail. Should I cook them like a regular squirrel?
Sounds like the OP is feeding more rodents than birds. 50 # should last 2-3 weeks.

Lol, a squirrel with no hair on it's tail? Sounds like a rat!

Here's a link for a good squirrel stew. Should work for rats, too. Lol!

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Squirrel is good fried, in rice, and in dumplings. Especially if you brine them or soak them in milk / eggs overnight before cooking. I have a freezer full of squirrel....

My mother-in-law God bless her sole would take every squirrel I killed of my hands. Well anyway after I cleaned it. Then she cut it up, par-boiled it, removed the meat, added mayo, mustard ect. and run it through a blender. Spread on fancy crackers and maybe with an olive or a nut resting on top the squirrel pate made a hit at her bridge parties and Baptist Women's' Missionary Society Meetings.

I can still see the little old ladies in their fur stoles, sipping tea with their pinkie finger crooked saying, "Hearts is trumps, and oh by the why

Francis, that is the best (Pick one) pate or spiced ham that I have ever tasted, I do declare you just have to give us your recipe."

No one else could ever make pate spread quite like Mama Francis could. She must have had a special secret ingredient.

 

[foreverlearning]

You are feeding something else other than your chickens. The above advice is great on storing your feed at night, but have you also considered using fermented feed? I am using it on 57 meat birds and have only used 75lbs of feed in 5 weeks yet they are huge. It goes a long way in reducing the feed costs, giving them better nutrition, and my squirrels won't touch it.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

I have 15 chickens about 17 weeks old (13 brown egg layers 2 buttercups) and I am buying a 50 lb bag every week .... I have seen a squirrel in their run before so I'm wondering if I am feeding him too?

Not only are you feeding the squirrel you see but you are likely funding the 401k retirement account of every squirrel in the county. They'll tote off more than they'll eat.