The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Leahs Mom]

Aoxa - I remember Harvey Ussery saying that he just decided that he'd bring the waterers in at night since they don't need water overnight. He'd take them out in the morning - basically what you're doing except your "inside" is in the barn. I may just end up doing that.

My inquisitive side isn't quite satisfied yet that there isn't something that will work...

 

[galefrances]

I gave up a long time ago on my cup waterer. I have it stored waiting for the warmer weather. For now, it's the hated automatic heated waterer that is so cumbersome to refill.

 

[FalzoneChickens]

I

Tell us about your feed - what do you mix and in what ratios?

I use flax seed, fish meal for the calcium, I have found an all natural layer protein from my local coop that is GF-no wheat/rye/barley, crushed corn and table scraps-veggies and fruit. The ratios are not specific. I mean when I mix it I use a 50lb bag of the layer crumbles with 50lbs of crushed corn and about 5 lbs of fish meal, 10 lbs of flax seed, and roughly 25lbs at least of alfalfa which is GF. We add apple cider vinegar to their water too. So far so good! Myself and 2 of our 3 daughters are pretty sensitive to gluten and so far we haven't had any issues. When we were buying them from the store we starting getting sick regardless of the brand. That's when we read that gluten can be transferred to the eggs. So we got chickens and so far we have felt great! What do you think?

 

[Leahs Mom]

Pigeon Guy is good with formulating and protein levels, etc. He may have something to say!

I have my feed formulated at a local feed mill. I wasn't thinking about gluten, but I guess it IS gluten free! My main concern was NO SOY and not GMO. Since I had to get a minimum of 300 lbs, I wanted it to be a middle-of-the road formula that had low enough calcium that I could feed it to the chicks and high enough protein for the layers. That way I could feed it to everyone and just add protein for the babies and free-choice calcium for the layers. (I don't keep the whole 300 lbs...I found someone to share w/me)

Here is the formula he's currently using and the lbs to make 300 lbs. You could divide to make a smaller amount. This is about 16% protein:

122 lbs organic corn
135 lbs organic peas
15 lb Fertrell poultry nutri-balancer (organic)
10.8 lb. Organic Alfalfa Pellets
10.2 lb Fish Meal
6.6 lb. Calcium Carbonate


I would like to drop the peas if possible, and add more protein from meat sources. He is currently working on ideas but he told me that he can't up the fish meal too much or the eggs will begin to take on a fishy smell and taste.

 

[Melabella]

Is anyone doing Gluten Free chickens? We are doing that. I mix our own feed. We've noticed a huge difference going from expensive store-bought "all natural" eggs to our own clucks laying.

Glad to have you! Thank you for your input!

MB

 

[FalzoneChickens]

Pigeon Guy is good with formulating and protein levels, etc.  He may have something to say!

I have my feed formulated at a local feed mill.  I wasn't thinking about gluten, but I guess it IS gluten free!  My main concern was NO SOY and not GMO.   Since I had to get a minimum of 300 lbs, I wanted it to be a middle-of-the road formula that had low enough calcium that I could feed it to the chicks and high enough protein for the layers.  That way I could feed it to everyone and just add protein for the babies and free-choice calcium for the layers.  (I don't keep the whole 300 lbs...I found someone to share w/me)

Here is the formula he's currently using and the lbs to make 300 lbs.  You could divide to make a smaller amount.  This is about 16% protein:

122 lbs organic corn
135 lbs organic peas
15 lb Fertrell poultry nutri-balancer (organic)
10.8 lb. Organic Alfalfa Pellets
10.2 lb Fish Meal
6.6 lb. Calcium Carbonate


I would like to drop the peas if possible, and add more protein from meat sources.  He is currently working on ideas but he told me that he can't up the fish meal too much or the eggs will begin to take on a fishy smell and taste.

I had no idea about the too much fish meal but it makes sense. We seem to have a really good blend for now but i would like to improve it. I wish our coop mixed for us but none in out area do to my knowledge. so i just have a huge tote and buy crumbles of the larger ingredients that way I don't have to grind them. I almost ruined my wife's food processor doing that lol. I never thought about the peas. That's a good idea.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I had no idea about the too much fish meal but it makes sense. We seem to have a really good blend for now but i would like to improve it. I wish our coop mixed for us but none in out area do to my knowledge. so i just have a huge tote and buy crumbles of the larger ingredients that way I don't have to grind them. I almost ruined my wife's food processor doing that lol. I never thought about the peas. That's a good idea.

I didn't think that about the fish meal either! He was the one that mentioned it.

I haven't ground my own but one of my favorite chicken authors, Harvey Ussery, grinds his own. He finally ended up getting a good grinder. I've also read some say that they don't grind the small grains at all - just feed them whole. Here's a link to Harvey's feed stuff...you may find something that interests you there. http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Feeding.html

 

[Leahs Mom]

A friend recently sent me this "soldier fly grub feeder" instructions. I'm not even sure if we have these in our area, but the concept is interesting. Wondering if anyone has used them?

Also just wanted to post the link since I thought someone may be interested in trying:

http://gardenpool.org/beneficial-insects/black-soldier-fly-composter-automatic-chicken-feeder

Here's a little info on the grubs/flies:
http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Soldier+Grubs.html

 

[jdywntr]

Aoxa - I remember Harvey Ussery saying that he just decided that he'd bring the waterers in at night since they don't need water overnight. He'd take them out in the morning - basically what you're doing except your "inside" is in the barn. I may just end up doing that.

My inquisitive side isn't quite satisfied yet that there isn't something that will work...

I gave up a long time ago on my cup waterer. I have it stored waiting for the warmer weather. For now, it's the hated automatic heated waterer that is so cumbersome to refill.

I don't know if this would work for you since your winters are SO much colder up there. I have been trying to find a way to keep my waterers (buckets) thawed overnight. I decided I would try something. I had an extra 5 gallon bucket and put it upside down over the water bucket. Its gotten to the low teens and still the bucket under the 5 gal is not frozen in the morning. It may work on sunny days where at least the ground is able to get some warmth. For me, this is an easy solution. Easier than lugging water from the house since the hose is frozen.

 

[Melabella]

A friend recently sent me this "soldier fly grub feeder" instructions. I'm not even sure if we have these in our area, but the concept is interesting. Wondering if anyone has used them?

Also just wanted to post the link since I thought someone may be interested in trying:

http://gardenpool.org/beneficial-insects/black-soldier-fly-composter-automatic-chicken-feeder

Here's a little info on the grubs/flies:
http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Soldier+Grubs.html

wow.pretty chickens...love the RIR on the left. Thanks for posting... looks simple enough. Looks worth a try!