The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[midnightroo]

That is an adorable piece!  I love it!  I am so happy to hear it cheered you up

X2

 

[Leahs Mom]

I am observing something which is raising a question for me.

I know that legumes are something that chickens wouldn't normally eat if they had a choice. I don't feed soy, but to get protein to a high enough level in a grain-based feed, they use field peas as a substitute.

I am planning on making my own feed mix next time I need feed, and recently purchased a 50 lb bag of field pies to do some sprouting experiments with. I tasted them right from the bag, after the initial soaking, then every day thereafter. Each day they were so bitter that I was unable to keep them in my mouth for long. Finally on the 6th day of sprouting, they became sweet enough that I found them palatable.

Then I decided to put some of the sprouts out for the kiddos. Every night about 45 min. before duck, I go out with some sprouts of some kind and get them into the dog kennel run with the sprouts. Usually they are sunflower seed and sometimes wheat, spelt, barley...whatever I have at the moment. They always go nuts for whatever sprouts I take out.

Tonight I took the pea sprouts. NO INTEREST AT ALL. They just looked at me like I was crazy with that "where's the beef" look.

I've also read many times that folks chickens don't like the legumes and leave them - only eating them as a last resort.


So here's my question: Why don't folks use sunflower seeds as a protein source in feed? Are they more expensive..is that the main issue? Or perhaps other non-grain, non-legume seeds?

 

[Pozees]

I am observing something which is raising a question for me.

I know that legumes are something that chickens wouldn't normally eat if they had a choice. I don't feed soy, but to get protein to a high enough level in a grain-based feed, they use field peas as a substitute.

I am planning on making my own feed mix next time I need feed, and recently purchased a 50 lb bag of field pies to do some sprouting experiments with. I tasted them right from the bag, after the initial soaking, then every day thereafter. Each day they were so bitter that I was unable to keep them in my mouth for long. Finally on the 6th day of sprouting, they became sweet enough that I found them palatable.

Then I decided to put some of the sprouts out for the kiddos. Every night about 45 min. before duck, I go out with some sprouts of some kind and get them into the dog kennel run with the sprouts. Usually they are sunflower seed and sometimes wheat, spelt, barley...whatever I have at the moment. They always go nuts for whatever sprouts I take out.

Tonight I took the pea sprouts. NO INTEREST AT ALL. They just looked at me like I was crazy with that "where's the beef" look.

I've also read many times that folks chickens don't like the legumes and leave them - only eating them as a last resort.


So here's my question: Why don't folks use sunflower seeds as a protein source in feed? Are they more expensive..is that the main issue? Or perhaps other non-grain, non-legume seeds?

I tried sprouting peas for my girls last year and they reacted the same way yours did. I do add sunflower seed as part of the wild bird seed component of the feed I ferment. There isn't a whole lot in there, but I do notice some days they pick it out first, others they go for some other ingredient. I don't often have any sunflower seed left when I clean dishes though.

 

[BlueMouse]

Anyone else have a chicken that wanders about the yard eating dandelion fluff? I watched my little EE spend about an hour walking around the yard denuding all of the dandelion seedheads.

Tonight I took the pea sprouts. NO INTEREST AT ALL. They just looked at me like I was crazy with that "where's the beef" look.

Huh, that's weird. I use field peas or "fodder peas" as the main protien in my ration, supplemented by flax seed. I ferment it all, and no one picks around the field peas except the older chicks who are just transitioning from the ground in the feed mill ration to the whole grains ration. I figured the chicks don't like them because they're so big. after a week or so the chicks are hoovering it all down too. I wonder if something is different about fermenting vs. sprouting??


For those of you with any size flock that free range any size property:

Could you tell us:

-What kind of feed you give.
home mixed whole grain ration, plus fodder, plus animal protien supplement of raw meat, boiled egg, or canned mackerel. Same ration ground for chicks/juveniles. Game bird starter for those who need it.

1. Number in your flock.
in the brooder: 5 bantams, 15 guinea keets, and 8 cornish cross. Outside:8 in total: 3 adult LF, 4 juvenile LF, and one juvenile bantam.

2. About how much area do they have to range?
we have four acres. they use about one I'd say.

3. How long do they get to range each day?
around 8 am to 8 pm. Now that it's getting light earlier I need to go out earlier to open the pop door, I'm just lazy.

4. What is your experience with predation?
None so far, although I'm sure that won't last.

5. Is the property primarily open pasture, wooded, or mix?
we have about a half acre of lawn, and then the rest is woods. Some heavy undergrowth, some very open. they like the heavy leaf litter. they stay away from the creek though.

6. Compare the amount of feed you have to give them during a typical June or July vs. the amount of feed given in a typical January.
I don't have experience with this yet, just got my flock started in february. currently I add about 2 cups dry to the ferment bucket for the outside kids every day to keep it at the same level. I add about 4 cups to the game bird starter ferment bucket every day for the guineas, and a cup of ground feed to the bucket for the bantams still in the brooder and the meat chicks. I no longer feed fodder in the morning to the outside birds, only the brooder kids get that. Same for protien supplement via raw meat/boiled egg/canned mackerel. Only the brooder kids are getting that now.


Completely unrelated to all of this, my packages of bees finally arrived today. As I was installing them I looked over and there were ALL the chickens, lined up in the driveway observing the proceedings with great interest. they are the nosiest little buggers.

 

[stonykill]

Anyone else have a chicken that wanders about the yard eating dandelion fluff? I watched my little EE spend about an hour walking around the yard denuding all of the dandelion seedheads.

absolutely. Then the leaves.

 

[BlueMouse]

she didn't touch a leaf that I saw. Just went from seadhead to seadhead across the lawn, happinly munching away. Meanwhile her little bantam cochin buddy who's always with her is looking at her like she's gone mad. But, out of everyone who came into the coop tonight that little EE had the fullest crop. Clever girl!

 

[stonykill]

she didn't touch a leaf that I saw. Just went from seadhead to seadhead across the lawn, happinly munching away. Meanwhile her little bantam cochin buddy who's always with her is looking at her like she's gone mad. But, out of everyone who came into the coop tonight that little EE had the fullest crop. Clever girl!

the tasty treat of the day

 

[Bulldogma]

Bleh - Just spent an hour trying to chase a 5' long black rat snake out from under the horse trailer. It got up behind the wheels and we couldn't get it out. Finally compromised by putting all the "snack-size" chicks that were in the hoop coop with Darth Bator (black Silkie mamma) in one of the "private suites" in the trailer (side hay window areas) where the snake would not be able to access them. Also used half a roll of duct tape around the rotten part of the floor up in the front brooder area to snake proof that area - I have 6 SFH chicks and 1 H/RIR chick in that brooder - all snack-size.

Dang rat snakes can get through the teeniest holes - this sucker was at least as long as I am tall, but skinny as could be. Big chickens shouldn't be targets for it, but...

Makes you wonder how many "mysterious deaths" in the coop might be caused by snakes like this that kill only to realize they can't swallow their prey?

I am observing something which is raising a question for me.


So here's my question: Why don't folks use sunflower seeds as a protein source in feed? Are they more expensive..is that the main issue? Or perhaps other non-grain, non-legume seeds?

I had thought it was because they are so high in fat and can makes the birds too fat?? I know that's why my sister limited them for her parrot.

 

[stonykill]

Bleh - Just spent an hour trying to chase a 5' long black rat snake out from under the horse trailer. It got up behind the wheels and we couldn't get it out. Finally compromised by putting all the "snack-size" chicks that were in the hoop coop with Darth Bator (black Silkie mamma) in one of the "private suites" in the trailer (side hay window areas) where the snake would not be able to access them. Also used half a roll of duct tape around the rotten part of the floor up in the front brooder area to snake proof that area - I have 6 SFH chicks and 1 H/RIR chick in that brooder - all snack-size.

Dang rat snakes can get through the teeniest holes - this sucker was at least as long as I am tall, but skinny as could be. Big chickens shouldn't be targets for it, but...

Makes you wonder how many "mysterious deaths" in the coop might be caused by snakes like this that kill only to realize they can't swallow their prey?



I had thought it was because they are so high in fat and can makes the birds too fat?? I know that's why my sister limited them for her parrot.

yuk. I prefer snakes dead

 

[aoxa]

I tried sprouting peas for my girls last year and they reacted the same way yours did. I do add sunflower seed as part of the wild bird seed component of the feed I ferment. There isn't a whole lot in there, but I do notice some days they pick it out first, others they go for some other ingredient. I don't often have any sunflower seed left when I clean dishes though.

What about peas that are fresh? My birds go nuts for them. Always have. Ducks love peas, but so do chickens. Are they not the same thing?

They did not like the pea shoots I brought them though.