Swedish Flower Hen Thread

[Leahs Mom]

thank you for this info, I hope it can go into that thing.

Yes, it's Sue. And...it already IS out there...search "medicated feed".

 

[pickitfarm]

Bulldogma - Thanks for this information. My first SFH are due to hatch sometime later today or tomorrow. We have not started the fermenting of feed but I determined a few weeks ago I want to go that route. The only problem we have is there is no mills or feed stores offering feeds without corn or soy. I am still searching but so far, no go.

It is at the point we would have to ship which cost $$$$$$. Maybe if more chicken owners in the area started asking one of them will see the niche market and go for it. I am going to have to start with fermenting the Purina starter we use. Tell me more about the liver. Do you cut is up raw and add water to it for the chicks.

 

[Leahs Mom]

On the liver, you want to cut it up into tiny pieces and feed raw. It helps if you rinse the liver in cold water before cutting as it will be less sticky!

 

[lalaland]

thanks Sue. My partner Sue, is headed to walmart as that is the only place I can find the poly si vol on a sunday here. It will be the first time ever buying something from that place as I can't support their ethics or workplace practices, but....practically speaking it is worth it to keep that chick going.

I did search that thing, but didn't look at medicated feed! am heading there now.

BD, thanks, I can't believe I'm having this much problems either. Good thing I've had positive experiences in the past or I might be more discouraged. THe other chicks are doing very well. I am supposed to have one more sfh chick, but danged if I can tell which chick that might be in the group.

 

[lalaland]

ok, I found delisha's organic chick feed recipe and will get the stuff I don't have tomorrow when I go to work in the cities. I like that it doesn't have ANY corn! avoid those gmos

 

[RedRidge]

ok, I found delisha's organic chick feed recipe and will get the stuff I don't have tomorrow when I go to work in the cities. I like that it doesn't have ANY corn! avoid those gmos

Except... corn is an important ingredient for chickens.
You simply need to make sure you use non-gmo corn... it's running just over $17/50lbs right now... unless you can grow it yourself (which is not hard to do if you have the room, just make sure you tassle at a slightly different time than any neighbors who may be growing the gmo stuff).

No soy and more animal proteins is a high priority, but quality corn is a good ingredient.
I use non-gmo corn, field peas, oats and/or wheat in my ferment, then add fish meal, BSF, etc...

Just didn't want to discourage you from corn if it's the right kind...

As a side note... my 12 SFH eggs were due to hatch late last night... haven't heard a pip... getting discouraged but refuse to open bator due to humidity being perfect so... waiting...

 

[Bulldogma]

As a side note... my 12 SFH eggs were due to hatch late last night... haven't heard a pip... getting discouraged but refuse to open bator due to humidity being perfect so... waiting...

 

[lalaland]

Redridge, keeping my fingers crossed for your hatch.

surprisingly enough, not sure I can find non-gmo.

there is a guy making feed that interesting, it is $40 for 50 lbs. going rate for gmo filled corn, soy feed here is $12/50 lbs. $ is pretty tight for me so that price is not going to fit into my budget, which I already blew sky high on these chicks ($8/chick, which for the breeds I think was pretty good).

(edited to correct spelling)

 

[pickitfarm]

On the liver, you want to cut it up into tiny pieces and feed raw. It helps if you rinse the liver in cold water before cutting as it will be less sticky!

Thanks. I will be looking around for some beef liver for the future babies. Do you think blending them up will be better? How much should we feed them each day? We are going to get started on the fermented feed. I just made my first batch of fermented water for personal use and it was very simple so I think the feed should be not problem. I am familiar with what the water surface should look like. It is scary when you have never done it before.

 

[lalaland]

ok, perhaps I have misidentified the problem chick as an swf. Leah's mom pointed out that if it has slate feet, is probably not an sfh. This is good news, because that means lurking in the 18 chicks is 2-3 sfh who are perfectly healthy.

When I picked up the chicks, the woman fished them out of 3 kiddie swimming pools that were brimming with various chicks...gonna go take another looks to see what is up.

nevertheless, the advice on helping this chick will still apply. anyone have chick pics of swf at a couple of week age?