The 10 little pigs!

[Devon07]

I've had them about two weeks now and they are about 22weeks old.....they started on crumbles from where I got them and when I got them home I switched to pellets from Nutrena (didn't know what to get).....they seemed happy with it along with daily treats.....I've been keeping them penned up mostly until they start to lay and learn where home is.....they free range for about two hours a day for now and eventually will free range all day.....I decided to go the organic route and was shocked at the amount they eat....they absolutely love the Manna Pro Organic we got them....expensive? Yes! But they are eating more of it than the Nutrena......I do notice after they range a bit they slow down on the "grazing" at the food supply.....eventually they will Free range most of the day and not eat as much but they are pigs for sure right now. Lol they have an endless supply of food on demand along with lots of water....I have 9 girls with one rooster, two of the girls seem to do nothing but eat, the others will be resting in the shade and the two stay eating.....this organic is really something they like....anyone else experience this type of behavior? They seem happy and are getting fatter each day it seems.....maybe they are getting ready to lay and this eating is a result.

 

[ChickenLegs13]

Yeah I hate feeding chickens that age! They eat me out of house & home but the roosters aren't big enough to eat and the hens aren't old enough to lay and that day is still several months away...
I feel your pain!

 

[Devon07]

Chickenlegs....I guess I was concerned about how much they were eating, I suppose it's okay at the age they are and growing so fast!? This morning I opened the door and they ran right passed the water and to the feed, Pigs I tell ya! I think I got me some pigs instead of chickens.....if the rooster snorts they are in trouble.

 

[ChickenLegs13]

Yeah and I feed mine free choice...
Wet it or ferment the feed and watch them really go crazy!

 

[Devon07]

How do you ferment it? What is the purpose of fermenting?

I just went to check on them and a black lab was trying to get in the coop...chewed the wood up pretty good...I panicked and grabbed my sons paint ball gun instead to the shotgun.....it was his lucky day. Poor birds (I mean pigs) are scared to death!

 

[triplepurpose]

You can just put your feed in a bucket, and add a splash of apple cider vinegar (or other live vinegar or kombucha, or whey, etc.). Then add as much water (well or rain water, or filtered, or otherwise chlorine-free) as the dried feeds will hold, and mix really well. Feed right away or allow to go a couple days or whatever. Just doing this will stretch your feed out noticeably, and it's supposed to be better for digestion, etc. (think probiotic porridge versus stuffing your face with raw dry cereal). At least, that's one way to do fermented feed. I also add small amounts of scratch grains, stale bread, overripe fruit to make it go even further. Also, start giving them table and kitchen scraps as available, if you haven't already...

We only buy organic feed. We just buy less of it...

 

[Devon07]

Thanks Sky the chicken man!....good to know and i'll do that in the morning. They need a treat after the dog scare im betting. Today they seemed to mellow out a bit on being so ravenous.