The Evolution of Atlas: A Breeding (and Chat) Thread

Do you think she might benefit from a little extra protein, like tuna, or cat food? I have 1 hen that for 2 years in a row, she lost almost every feather all at once. I kept her on my screened in porch. I was afraid she would get badly sunburned. She stopped laying, and because all the feathers began growing in at one time, you could tell she was having a really rough time of it. I went and got a bag of calf manna, and mixed some in her feed. It worked really well. She began laying again, the feathers grew quickly, and she was her spry old self again. She has never done that again, just those 2 years. I've never had that with any of my other chickens.
 
Do you think she might benefit from a little extra protein, like tuna, or cat food? I have 1 hen that for 2 years in a row, she lost almost every feather all at once. I kept her on my screened in porch. I was afraid she would get badly sunburned. She stopped laying, and because all the feathers began growing in at one time, you could tell she was having a really rough time of it. I went and got a bag of calf manna, and mixed some in her feed. It worked really well. She began laying again, the feathers grew quickly, and she was her spry old self again. She has never done that again, just those 2 years. I've never had that with any of my other chickens.

Well, she eats 22% protein feed already, plus I've tried to get her to eat scrambled eggs and she only picks a few bites and quits. Other chickens would have inhaled those. I have some cat food here, but she is refusing everything.
 
That's should be enough protein. I know you are able to get good feed, whereas, there are no feed mills close to me, so I have to resort to commercial feed. I sure hope this is temporary.
 
That's should be enough protein. I know you are able to get good feed, whereas, there are no feed mills close to me, so I have to resort to commercial feed. I sure hope this is temporary.
No feed mills here, either. This is Tucker Milling 22% commercial feed. They are in Alabama. I bet you may be able to order some from the feed store. Some can get it and some can't.

This is the link to the feed we use: http://tuckermilling.com/super-lay-22/
And the pellets are mini-pellets, about half the size of a regular pellet, though it comes in both sizes, I think.
 
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Looks like they don't distribute as far north as I am. I looked at their dealers because I'm surprised to find a commercial feed that still uses animal protein.

Have any of you ever looked at the ingredients in cat foods to see if they would make sense as far as raising protein levels without using legumes?
 
I'm running a few pages behind. @Leahs Mom , we got rain like crazy all day yesterday into this morning. Now it's a nice brisk day and we are putzing around outside trying to get stuff ready for winter.

@getaclue , I know what you are talking about as far as trying to give some helpful advice. Unfortunately it seems the loudest person gets heard the most. Just keep handing out your common sense knowledge, the right people will hear and listen to you.

I see in your signature you are a squatch watcher, for real? I'm a big believer and hope someday before I die someone finds legitimate evidence. I have heard some strange cries outside after dark that I couldn't explain. My other wish in life is for scientists to clone a mammoth, I would love to see one of those too.

@speckledhen , I can't remember everyone's name even though I know them, plus I'm old school and need to be told I can call people by their first names.

Your poor hen seems to be sliding, hopefully it's nothing serious. I see one of my most adorable mottled cochin pullets is wobbling about and showing signs of Mareks. Why the cutest ones always.
 
They don't distribute down here either. The closest would be up in Tallahassee, and that's way too far.

oldhens....there is a thread on here, https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/anyone-have-luck-catching-a-feral-chicken.1201431/ The lady posted about how to catch a feral chicken. Every so often she was getting a quick glimpse of a hen darting around. Nope, it wasn't one of hers. She asked neighbors. Nope, not theirs. The thing was, no one in her family had seen it, nor any of the neighbors. They all thought she was crazy. She commented it was like the elusive Sasquatch. Well, as things progressed, more and more people joined in to offer advice, and see the results of her efforts. The thread kept growing, and growing. Yes, she caught a feral chicken, but not the hen she originally saw. So, those of us participating on the thread have become squatch watchers.
 
They don't distribute down here either. The closest would be up in Tallahassee, and that's way too far.

oldhens....there is a thread on here, https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/anyone-have-luck-catching-a-feral-chicken.1201431/ The lady posted about how to catch a feral chicken. Every so often she was getting a quick glimpse of a hen darting around. Nope, it wasn't one of hers. She asked neighbors. Nope, not theirs. The thing was, no one in her family had seen it, nor any of the neighbors. They all thought she was crazy. She commented it was like the elusive Sasquatch. Well, as things progressed, more and more people joined in to offer advice, and see the results of her efforts. The thread kept growing, and growing. Yes, she caught a feral chicken, but not the hen she originally saw. So, those of us participating on the thread have become squatch watchers.
Oops, I guess everyone knows I'm crazy now. :)
 

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