Texas

[Cockle-Dood]

Lots of FF users on here...im not one yet but like you am starting to lean that way

 

[LauriTX]

I only have 5 girls. Don't know if it is worth it with just that many.

 

[wlhtx]

I do FF. Totally worth it.

Even with just 5 hens, switching will save you money and make your birds healthier. When you research, you'll find a lot of people do it a lot of different ways. To start off, stick with easy. A plastic bucket, whatever food you currently feed dry, some apple cider vinegar with the mother to jump start it, and water.

You cannot mess it up!!!

 

[hotrodflash]

I only have 5 girls. Don't know if it is worth it with just that many.

Instead of doing the several day long ferment, try the overnight ferment. I put feed in a plastic container and cover it with water, it grows in size overnight and mine love it. With 5, I would do about a cup of food to start out and if they finish it quickly, I would increase the amount until they finish the feed in about 15-20 minutes. I also free feed dry as well to make sure that all of my birds get plenty to eat as they free range all day.

 

[wlhtx]

 I also  free feed dry  as well to make sure that all of my birds get plenty to eat as they free range all day. 

Wow! You free range, feed continuous dry, AND feed FF?! Your bunch is spoiled! Aren't you afraid of over-feeding them? I've read that too much fat can cause health issues...

Mine free range all day, but I only feed the FF once a day in the evenings - and not necessarily every day. I personally want them a little hungry so that they hunt more.

 

[familypendragon]

Jonestown about 20 minutes out of Austin

I lived there about... 13 years ago on Nameless Road, LOL!

 

[hotrodflash]

Wow! You free range, feed continuous dry, AND feed FF?! Your bunch is spoiled! Aren't you afraid of over-feeding them? I've read that too much fat can cause health issues...

Mine free range all day, but I only feed the FF once a day in the evenings - and not necessarily every day. I personally want them a little hungry so that they hunt more.

No, I am not afraid of overfeeding them, I only feed a small amount of FF, about 6 cups for 57 chickens of all ages. None of my chickens are fat, they are too busy free ranging to sit and eat all day. They have 2 1/2 acres and my neighbors horse pasture to range in looking for food. And yes they are spoiled but so am I, they give me big beautiful eggs. I am not a big believer in the " I want them hungry" school of thought. I want my well fed and healthy, not hungry and sickly from being low in the pecking order and not being able to find enough to eat while they free range. If we had not had rain this summer, as is normal for us, they would not have grass to eat or hunt in either.

Just goes to show that there are many ways to raise chickens. This is the way that works for me and my chickens.

 

[Mi Ranchito]

No, I am not afraid of overfeeding them, I only feed a small amount of FF, about 6 cups for 57 chickens of all ages. None of my chickens are fat, they are too busy free ranging to sit and eat all day. They have 2 1/2 acres and my neighbors horse pasture to range in looking for food. And yes they are spoiled but so am I, they give me big beautiful eggs. I am not a big believer in the " I want them hungry" school of thought. I want my well fed and healthy, not hungry and sickly from being low in the pecking order and not being able to find enough to eat while they free range. If we had not had rain this summer, as is normal for us, they would not have grass to eat or hunt in either.

Just goes to show that there are many ways to raise chickens. This is the way that works for me and my chickens.

You and me think the same way! I pretty much practice the feed and care of my flock the same way that you do. My chickens and ducks seem content, and I am happy too.

 

[topdycke]

Looks like woodlands/montgomery area was getting drenched...myd drive was still dusty...

Nope not drenched. Some rain for less than an hour... it did cool off though

 

[back2simplelife]

Oh what a night.. new hens are refusing to coop.. or actually come out from under the house! I have tried meal worms, watermelon, food.. nothing! Guess that is what I get for giving them more than a taste of scratch! Bellies are full, water is close and they THINK it's safe under there! Lil do they know.. it's almost my old boxers playing time and he chases anything that moves! Not to mention.. both rat snakes and copperheads LOVE it under there!

Do you think this could be because they are use to running with a roo and now don't have one? How can these two be so friendly they let you just pick them up to now refusing to even coop within 24 hrs! UGH!!!