The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Melabella]

Yay! I'm so looking forward to getting fresh eggs. Don't laugh but I will have to remember how to take an egg without getting pecked! Since I have no roosters (might change if I can afford to feed more later) non will hatch if they brood anyway.

I have a question for you natural-minded chicken lovers. I will be getting four chicks next week and would like to make my own starter feed. I found a recipe that looks pretty good and includes soaked grains, peas, and greens. Does anyone make their own feed? Any suggestions or favorite recipes? My chicks will be coming from a friend, not through the mail. Thanks!

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To the THREAD!

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[mlowen]

Hey guys, can you slow down! I am going to CA and will be without internet access for 10 days. Do you have any idea how long it will be before I catch up again. On another note, my DH decided to make a second set of buckets for FF for me. He was drilling holes and when I looked at them he had put my name and a heart in the pattern. Gotta love him.

We'll miss you. Jump right in when you get back and take your time reading old posts. Great husband! You might miss him more then Internet!?!

 

[delisha]

So I have a question for the OTs who know something about protein levels. I remember saying btw 18-20% is what you like. The current layer pellets I am using have is 16% the scratch has 9 %. Today while I was at TSC buying fencing that was on sale for the hoop coop I found calf manna grow/ conditioner and picked up a bag. That is listed as 24%.
Now my layer is mixed with scratch, BOSS alfalfa pellets and oats in a giant tub. I mixed it all together so that all I have do is fill the container I keep inside to fill the FF bucket. I added some grower to the FF bucket today & took the hens their 3rd bowl full out after work (must be an extra hungry day usually eat one bowl a day) they licked the bowl with grower in it clean in 10 minutes.

Since I had to make a new batch of FF today I just put the grower in it with oats, garlic, basil and the about 4 cups of layer mix into the bucket. It's happily bubbling away after being by the wood stove.

My question is if I buy more grower and add to my big tub with the other stuff already in it will the overall protein level be to high? There is probably a 3rd of a 50# bag of pellets left and probably same for scratch but that was a 25# bag.

Eventually I would just like to give straight grower since it has more ingredients in it that are better for the girls now that most layer feed is labeled vegetarian

Here is the grower ingredients and percentages
P

I would have calcium out for them to eat as they need it.
I am hoping will help with vent problems since it says its caused by lack of calcium (layer feed has calcium in it) and from the funky eggs with bumps and swirls in shell??

Thanks jenn

Jenn..it sounds like you have the correct protein levels now. Before it was a bit low. When you have egg layers you want at least 18% during the winter. You can go to an all flock or even game bird 24%. As long as you add calcium on the side. I do not feed layer at all. I think there is to much additives you are paying for. (Shells and grit) IMO. Those things weigh a lot and you can purchase them seperately and save money. If you want the conveince of every thing in one bag, layer is the way to go if you don't mind spending money.
Quote:

It's been a busy day caring for the recovering Silkie pullet and getting the breeding pen ready for sand and chick house prepared for the next groups due to hatch.

All the talk about Silkies and whether they are dumb or not made me smile. They are chickens. I look at it like this. Smartness can be bred up or bred down. Doesn't matter if your talking Silkies, dogs, or horses. Go to any show or breeder of any of those animals. You will find barns or kennels filled with either very typy, beautiful, and SMART animals...Or very type-y, beautiful, and DUMB animals. It's in the breeding. Not the breed. Get it?

I raised Arabian horses and Springer Spaniel dogs for many decades. Blood lines are everything. If you want beautiful and intelligence in your blood lines, then you must breed for it. Same with Silkies.

I will tell you this straight up. Being a master breeder of great Silkies takes a master poultry raiser. It is not an undertaking for the impatient or careless flock attendant. It takes humor, diligence in good husbandry, good stock, and luck. The Silkie is one of the oldest breeds/varieties of chicken in history. They didn't survive because they are stupid. They survived because people love them so much. And having just said that....I hope mine survive my care! Hah!

Well said!!

I have a question for you natural-minded chicken lovers. I will be getting four chicks next week and would like to make my own starter feed. I found a recipe that looks pretty good and includes soaked grains, peas, and greens. Does anyone make their own feed? Any suggestions or favorite recipes? My chicks will be coming from a friend, not through the mail. Thanks!

3 parts soft white wheat
- 3 parts hard red winter wheat
- 1 part hulled barley
- 1 part oat groats
- 2 part sunflower seeds
- ½ part peanuts
- 1 part wheat bran
- 1 part split peas
- 1 part lentils
- 1 part quinoa
- 1 part sesame seeds
- 1/2 part kelp and oregano (fresh)
-1/2 part bird seed
-1 oz raw meat per 12 chicks (ground fine)
I have access to these organics at my feed store. They have them in bins for planting so I am pretty fortunate.During the winter I only have access to summer left overs and they are not as fresh. I than use bagged organic chick starter and buy fresh kelp/oregano at the grocery store

grind it fine for baby chicks

 

[Adenium]

Mumsy I do love my silkies too But I do have to laugh at them. My husband wanted them and I wanted large fowl so it's an ongoing joke and battle. I didn't expect them to be practical!

 

[Pozees]

It's been a busy day caring for the recovering Silkie pullet and getting the breeding pen ready for sand and chick house prepared for the next groups due to hatch.

All the talk about Silkies and whether they are dumb or not made me smile. They are chickens. I look at it like this. Smartness can be bred up or bred down. Doesn't matter if your talking Silkies, dogs, or horses. Go to any show or breeder of any of those animals. You will find barns or kennels filled with either very typy, beautiful, and SMART animals...Or very type-y, beautiful, and DUMB animals. It's in the breeding. Not the breed. Get it?

I raised Arabian horses and Springer Spaniel dogs for many decades. Blood lines are everything. If you want beautiful and intelligence in your blood lines, then you must breed for it. Same with Silkies.

I will tell you this straight up. Being a master breeder of great Silkies takes a master poultry raiser. It is not an undertaking for the impatient or careless flock attendant. It takes humor, diligence in good husbandry, good stock, and luck. The Silkie is one of the oldest breeds/varieties of chicken in history. They didn't survive because they are stupid. They survived because people love them so much. And having just said that....I hope mine survive my care! Hah!

Exactly - add in temperament and you have the whole package. I believe you pointed out after your visit to Catdance that she bred for temperament as well as type and vigor, and I thought to myself, "Tell it Sister!" - in another lifetime I bred a Toy dog breed whose only real job in the modern world is to be a companion; if it has a nasty or cowering temperament, it isn't much of a companion. To most of us, even if they serve additional purposes, our chickens are companion animals, and if they aren't pleasant to be around they should not be bred and often should simply provide a meal. Once the standard corrections have been attempted, if they fail and a chicken is making it less enjoyable to be a chicken keeper, you do not want to perpetuate this trait nor endure it for a significant length of time.

I have every confidence you are more than capable of becoming a master breeder of great Silkies, Mumsy.

 

[Leahs Mom]

So I have a question for the OTs who know something about protein levels. I remember saying btw 18-20% is what you like. The current layer pellets I am using have is 16% the scratch has 9 %. Today while I was at TSC buying fencing that was on sale for the hoop coop I found calf manna grow/ conditioner and picked up a bag. That is listed as 24%.
Now my layer is mixed with scratch, BOSS alfalfa pellets and oats in a giant tub. I mixed it all together so that all I have do is fill the container I keep inside to fill the FF bucket. I added some grower to the FF bucket today & took the hens their 3rd bowl full out after work (must be an extra hungry day usually eat one bowl a day) they licked the bowl with grower in it clean in 10 minutes.

Since I had to make a new batch of FF today I just put the grower in it with oats, garlic, basil and the about 4 cups of layer mix into the bucket. It's happily bubbling away after being by the wood stove.

My question is if I buy more grower and add to my big tub with the other stuff already in it will the overall protein level be to high? There is probably a 3rd of a 50# bag of pellets left and probably same for scratch but that was a 25# bag.

Eventually I would just like to give straight grower since it has more ingredients in it that are better for the girls now that most layer feed is labeled vegetarian

Here is the grower ingredients and percentages
P

I would have calcium out for them to eat as they need it.
I am hoping will help with vent problems since it says its caused by lack of calcium (layer feed has calcium in it) and from the funky eggs with bumps and swirls in shell??

Thanks jenn

Jenn - pigeonguy is a good source for mixing feed. He is a "formulator" of sorts and knows how to do all the ratios. Not sure if he is reading everything right now as he said he's extremely busy with life, but if you pm him he'll help you figure out protein level and percentages of what you're mixing.

Well - apparently my SFH flock likes their new coop. All the girls laid an egg each again today! (Proud of my girls!)

So much fun to have a new coop!!! Really good to hear that there wasn't a "stress" period where they slowed down laying. Sounds like a good transition!

To the THREAD!

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Mel - always happy to see you post...

Please update us on what you're up too...seems like it's been a long time!

 

[Leahs Mom]

I LOVE this poster - reprint from WW2 G Brittan.

http://www.zazzle.com/scraps_feed_the_hens_poster-228728466761130439

Too bad I can't get the photos larger.

 

[Ashdoes]

I'm very happy with my Silkies. We have just the two right now, and they mostly stick together, but they wander the yard and forage just like the LF. They've actually learned that if I throw out seeds, to follow me back in the barn because I give them their own little pile. Sprite, the boy, will call Cloud if she doesn't follow us back in...he's actually quite loud, and I think that's to help Cloud find him, because she's got a pretty big poof. They won't go up in the coop and roost, but I made them a comfy spot and they go there every night. When hubby gets home he's going to build them their own coop, since they're his anyways. We've been talking about getting a couple more, so the Silkie sub-flock is a little bigger. I wish Cloud would go broody, I would buy Cream Legbar eggs in a hot minute.

 

[Bulldogma]

3 parts soft white wheat
- 3 parts hard red winter wheat
- 1 part hulled barley
- 1 part oat groats
- 2 part sunflower seeds
- ½ part peanuts
- 1 part wheat bran
- 1 part split peas
- 1 part lentils
- 1 part quinoa
- 1 part sesame seeds
- 1/2 part kelp and oregano (fresh)
-1/2 part bird seed

I have access to these organics at my feed store. They have them in bins for planting so I am pretty fortunate.During the winter I only have access to summer left overs and they are not as fresh. I than use bagged organic chick starter and buy fresh kelp/oregano at the grocery store

grind it fine for baby chicks

Del - May I use this on the thing?

 

[delisha]

Quote: Sure..I need to add the meat..I forgot I am going to change it
I also give 1 oz of meat per 12 chicks.