The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Scott H]

As long as it's not medicated I don't see a problem. Just has extra protein.

 

[lazy gardener]

My long term planning is to only buy one feed to cover all ages. Preferred is Multi flock crumble which is higher protein than chicken feed. I just add free choice oyster shell for the big girls.

 

[delisha]

What's the worst thing that could happen if a grown hen were to eat chick feed for a few weeks straight? Or maybe even a couple of months?

I made a creep feeder so our chicks can eat their feed in peace. So far it's working. But the JG chicks, who are just a bit over four weeks old, already find it to be a tight squeeze. And if I make it much larger our Bhrama Bantams will gladly squeeze through, bully the chicks, and hog all the feed.

Anyone got a solution? I mean, short of getting rid of the bantams. Which, I would consider, but only as a last resort.

nothing will happen to adults eating chick feed as long as calcium is offered. It is actually good for them if you are bag feeding. If I had to bag feed I would ferment chick feed and add scratch to it for adults. My birds all eat the same food and it is basically chick feed formulated. This time of year I have many mothers with chicks.

 

[armorfirelady]

Quote: I have chick feed fermenting in anticipation of a chick hatching out soon & I have been putting a small bowl in front of the broody hens sitting on the eggs. The extra protein wont hurt them and as it gets closer to the hatching date the co broodies are not leaving the nest as often (or I havent seen them) I wanted to make sure they were getting something to eat

 

[subhanalah]

I have chick feed fermenting in anticipation of a chick hatching out soon & I have been putting a small bowl in front of the broody hens sitting on the eggs. The extra protein wont hurt them and as it gets closer to the hatching date the co broodies are not leaving the nest as often (or I havent seen them)  I wanted to make sure they were getting something to eat

this is why I feed flock raiser, everyone gets the same thing. Too bad I can't find a "good" brand.

 

[CoopChick719]

Welcome back Mumsy!! I've missed you! Just today I found & printed out your feed recipe. I mixed up what I had on hand. The 10 week olds devoured it!! Sorry to hear about all the troubles!! I hope you & yours have turned the corner & are on the mend. So sad to hear about your flock The birds in the pics are lovely, as always!!

Nice to see you as well, Delisha!! I have passed on your orange peels in the nesting boxes for bug control to my uncle for his flock. Your wisdom lives on

 

[MargaretYakoda]

nothing will happen to adults eating chick feed as long as calcium is offered. It is actually good for them if you are bag feeding. If I had to bag feed I would ferment chick feed and add scratch to it for adults. My birds all eat the same food and it is basically chick feed formulated. This time of year I have many mothers with chicks.

Thank you Delisha! So you're saying fermented non medicated chick feed for everyone until they're all grown up then? Sounds so easy!

 

[beccasev]

I have a question.  (And yes, I'm supposed to be gone but I will watch for input...)

I need to do some things to simplify my chicken keeping chores - even looking toward next winter. 

I tried the "nipple waterers" a long time ago - 2 different types - and I didn't really like them or the results in addition to it not being a natural way for a chicken to get a drink.  However, in light of needing to simplify, I am considering trying them again. 

I'd like to hear from anyone that has used them successfully for more than 6 months... and those that used them during the winter with a livestock heater in the bucket.  Your experiences, please.

-Do you observe that your birds drink as much with the nipples as they would from a regular waterer?

-I always had water drip problems...not leaking, just releasing too much water when they do drink that kept the litter under them wet.  What is your experience with that?  In winter I would need to use them inside and did NOT have good experience with that.

-If you used in winter, did they REALLY stay thawed or did you have to keep knocking the ice off of them?

I've been using the nipples for about 18 months now. I used them outside last winter. I rigged up a waterer for the winter from a 1 gallon cooler with a dispenser (like a big 5 gallon orange jug, but smaller) and some plumbing parts. The dispenser screwed out for easy cleaning (according to the label), so I removed that and didn't have to cut any holes. I would add super hot water in the morning and depending on the temperature, have to thaw out the pipe maybe once a day. On really cold days, I gave a small bowl of warm water when I fed them dinner. They never seemed thirsty. I brought the waterer in at night. I will have to find a picture. Thawing was easy because I would just pull off the pipe that had the nipples attached and drop it in some hot water. I only had 2 nipples for my 10 hens. I have no electricity at our coop and refuse to run a line, so we make do. This worked well enough, even in our super cold winter last year.
As far as dripping goes, I think it's the chickens and not the nipples. My hens were fine. I never noticed any drips or puddles. I got 4 boys to test for meat chickens, and oh my goodness. They make a mess! I thought they would grow out of it, but no. Now there is a constant puddle under the water. But it's outside so I don't care.

 

[armorfirelady]

Quote: My hens are fed grains but I just have not found the time to grind it down finer for the chicks so the chick feed was just so much easier before leaving for vacation. Last year before I started feeding them grains, & when I had chicks, everyone got grower. Dumor is the name brand of the chick feed I am using now. I believe the grower last year was Purina. I haven't had a problem with either.

 

[delisha]

Quote:

Quote: My hens are fed grains but I just have not found the time to grind it down finer for the chicks so the chick feed was just so much easier before leaving for vacation. Last year before I started feeding them grains, & when I had chicks, everyone got grower. Dumor is the name brand of the chick feed I am using now. I believe the grower last year was Purina. I haven't had a problem with either.

It is hard to find a good feed. It might be worth the time invested to find a grainer close to you and have them mix you an all flock feed. This is the time of year to find a place. In a few months they will have fresh grains and you can stock up for the year.