The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Leahs Mom]

So do you think it's the corn or the sunflower seeds that made the turkeys greasy, they were only around 9-12 months and are heritage. I also had a turkey hen prolapse, so I think that would go with the internal fat, she was about 5 years old.

Well...on my experimental feed I'd not recommend it to anyone yet! I think it's going well but the jury is still out for me. Of course, during the months they get out and range, they eat much less of the feed anyway.


I've never raised turkeys so I'm only saying what I "think" based on "nutritional knowledge" gleaned over the years ... but first I have a couple questions:

-Have you ever had this happen before?
-What is the percentage of Sunflower Seed and Corn to the total feed? (For example, is 20% of the feed sunflower seed... 30" corn, etc.?)
-What else is in the feed?
-What were you feeding before?


"Usually" excess fat is related to higher carb. content which would typically implicate the corn and other high-carb grains if you're talking about gobs of excess fat.

However, depending on the ratio of oil seeds and other items, the specific "type of fat" (which fatty acid is prevalent) can change in the meat which could also make the MEAT have a different feel/texture/flavor (not talking about gobs of excess fat here...just the taste/feel of the meat itself.)

 

[gevshiba]

@gevshiba
How are the chicks doing?

I'll cull the worst one today and take a close look at the other. His feet don't curl under, but he obviously has a problem walking. But he does get up and move around, so I might give him some time.

 

[galefrances]

@galefrances


Is it possible to separate out a couple of the flock that runs with the roo for a few days?  Like maybe the roo and top hen and let your older girl see if she can fit in with the rest?  That may change-up the pecking order a bit if its possible.

I have to say that this is one of the things I hate about chickens...

Something else to take into consideration is that these birds have just had an extremely stressful event and she has lost all her friends.  That will take a little getting used to.

I did separate a roo and a couple hens away from the flock in the garage for a couple weeks once.  I think it helped some, but I didn't have the results I hoped for.

yes, I can try that. That hopefully will help Abby cope until I can introduce a new flock. I have six more chicks coming in two weeks. That will be another change for them in a couple months. I was also thinking of confining Abby with the new flock in the run for awhile to see if they'll bond with her before I let them free range.

Thank you Leah, you've always been so helpful.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Sorry i know this isnt about chickens but i saw the thing about grass fed clean source liver (which makes sense since the liver absorbs toxins and who knows the toxins in a factory farm) and it made me wonder where one gets that from? And isnt that more expensive?

The dog eats kibble now but sometimes we toss him some raw stuff and I've always wanted to try it.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Well...on my experimental feed I'd not recommend it to anyone yet!  I think it's going well but the jury is still out for me.  Of course, during the months they get out and range, they eat much less of the feed anyway.


I've never raised turkeys so I'm only saying what I "think" based on "nutritional knowledge" gleaned over the years ...  but first I have a couple questions:

-Have you ever had this happen before?
-What is the percentage of Sunflower Seed and Corn to the total feed?  (For example, is 20% of the feed sunflower seed... 30" corn, etc.?)
-What else is in the feed?
-What were you feeding before?


"Usually" excess fat is related to higher carb. content which would typically implicate the corn and other high-carb grains if you're talking about [COLOR=FF0000]gobs of excess fat.[/COLOR] 

However, depending on the ratio of oil seeds and other items, the specific "type of fat" (which fatty acid is prevalent) can change [COLOR=FF0000]in the meat[/COLOR] which could also make the [COLOR=FF0000]MEAT[/COLOR] have a different feel/texture/flavor (not talking about gobs of excess fat here...just the taste/feel of the meat itself.)

All the butchered turkeys my husband said were greasy and had fat deposits. I mix about 10 pounds of sunflower seeds to 50 pounds of cracked corn, we recently added about 8 pounds of oats to the mix but no one is thrilled. I have also cut way down. The turkeys used to get an extra helping of seeds. They get about 4 cups a day of that mix with a bit of whole corn added. It's used as a scratch, otherwise they have free access to an all flock and pasture.

In the past they received probably too many sunflower seeds, that's why I figured it was the seeds, or perhaps the combo as they would get double the scratch as well. I keep 12-16 turkeys.

I asked my husband, he said there was both fat deposits as well as the meat was greasy. But since I cut down on goodies we haven't butchered anyone since so I can't say if it's improved. I think I have improved as far as feeding my birds though over the last year or so.

 

[CuzChickens]

@CuzChickens
I know that you are replying to my former post because it was my former post

But...
It really helps folks on the thread if you quote the person's post like I did above so they know what you're responding to if it's been a few posts back. That's really nice of Lisa to send you her book.


ETA: Do you also raise ducks? You'll have to tell us about what chickens you have...and some photos would be great too!

Ok, I do not quote. I guess I should start. Thank for the advice! I do not have ducks, I want to get some next year. I have chickens. 8 Silver laced Wyandottes, 2 Black Australorps, 4 Welsummers, 4 Buff Orpingtons, 1 white Leghorn, 2 lavender Orpingtons and 1 Light Brahma.
I know the pictures kinda jumbled this comment... I have more pics of my babies, but they are on my camera

 

[CuzChickens]

I have not heard of her. Welcome to the thread. I think we would all agree that we all have a slightly different take on what we consider natural chicken keeping. That's part of the fun. I personally approach it as a behavioral concept, as well as letting my bird exist in as natural of a way that I can, while still feeding and tending to them. I personally don't use herbs but many here do. Others like a more natural way of feeding. Either way, you are sure to learn some stuff and maybe find something that you can use on your own flock, as well as sharing some of your own ways. What things do you herbs for?

Cool! I feed my chickens non GMO feed, I am looking into going all the way and feeding them Organic, but it is sooo expensive. I use herbs for general health, I give them all different herbs for them to eat at their leisure. I started doing that when they were 4 days old, and they love eating mint. My avatar is of them eating their herbs at 5 weeks old.

 

[mossyroo]

I've been there, I got spayed which took away a lot of my anger, but left me with horrible hot flashes. What troubles are you having with integration? Sometimes it can some time depending on the circumstances.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Ok, I do not quote. I guess I should start. Thank for the advice! I do not have ducks, I want to get some next year. I have chickens. 8 Silver laced Wyandottes, 2 Black Australorps, 4 Welsummers, 4 Buff Orpingtons, 1 white Leghorn, 2 lavender Orpingtons and 1 Light Brahma.
I know the pictures kinda jumbled this comment... I have more pics of my babies, but they are on my camera

Are all your birds the same age and brooded at the same time? Also - what do you think of the Brahma's personality?

Cool! I feed my chickens non GMO feed, I am looking into going all the way and feeding them Organic, but it is sooo expensive. I use herbs for general health, I give them all different herbs for them to eat at their leisure. I started doing that when they were 4 days old, and they love eating mint. My avatar is of them eating their herbs at 5 weeks old.

Interesting on the mint. I've never seen my birds eat the mint but it is growing where they have access so they could take it at any time.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:
You girls...