well I would say using the cayenne pepper and garlic, we had a couple weeks where we hit -37 with wind chill and didn't add any heat and our flock is doing fine, roosters got frost bitten combs but that"s cause they don't come in much, always patrolling to make sure nothing gets close to their hens. during the winter we add in more yogurt and warm oatmeal along with a little cooked meat , along with giving them veggies that aren't gonna get used in time so they are pretty happy campers.
The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!
- Thread starter Bulldogma
- Start date
The more greens they eat changes the omega 6 fats to a higher omega 3 ratio. I used to give our first chickens greens in the winter, but don't any longer since the newer ones don't care for them. I just deal with paler yolks in winter.
Even when they can our older chickens forage less and eat more out of the feeder, and the younger ones forage more.
We breed and raise our own chicks each year, for pullets, and butcher the roosters. Foraging has the same effect on the fat. In the roasting pan the broth has orange fat on top, and the broth is so extremely tasty!
Even when they can our older chickens forage less and eat more out of the feeder, and the younger ones forage more.
We breed and raise our own chicks each year, for pullets, and butcher the roosters. Foraging has the same effect on the fat. In the roasting pan the broth has orange fat on top, and the broth is so extremely tasty!
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I came across this link this morning online. Its something to look into if you are looking for free wood chips.
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https://www.chipdrop.in/login/
SeattleSelkie
Songster
Re: yolk color in winter
My flock free ranges as a mixed group in winter in my large orchard. I notice that some breeds maintain a bright yellow yolk while others may decrease in yolk color. I think I have noticed a correlation between yolk color and how hard the breed forages. My Welsummers will always chose wild food over my feed......whether it is FF, organic layer, or anything that looks processed. They work hard at foraging in winter.......I see them find fat grubs as they vigorously work in the longer grass around my apple trees. They also tirelessly work the fence lines, which have high stands of grass that went to seed last summer. They never go to bed hungry yet seem to eat less feed than the other breeds. And they are laying strongly right now and the yolks are gorgeous, stand up orange. My sweet little Ameraucanas, on the other hand, love handouts and while they do forage pretty well they seem to more eagerly stock up on the FF and organic layer pellets. Their yolks are paler in comparison. Everyone also gets worms occasionally from my vermicomposting efforts and has access to graze cover crops of rye grass/clover/vetch. But the Wellies will be out foraging no matter the weather, while the Ams and EEs will be found sunbathing in the winter sun or napping in the coop.
All of the yolks will brighten up in warmer weather.....but I wonder if the aggressive foraging for wild food that the Welsummers keep at all year is part of the reason why their eggs stay bright and vibrant. I am really impressed with the breed.
My flock free ranges as a mixed group in winter in my large orchard. I notice that some breeds maintain a bright yellow yolk while others may decrease in yolk color. I think I have noticed a correlation between yolk color and how hard the breed forages. My Welsummers will always chose wild food over my feed......whether it is FF, organic layer, or anything that looks processed. They work hard at foraging in winter.......I see them find fat grubs as they vigorously work in the longer grass around my apple trees. They also tirelessly work the fence lines, which have high stands of grass that went to seed last summer. They never go to bed hungry yet seem to eat less feed than the other breeds. And they are laying strongly right now and the yolks are gorgeous, stand up orange. My sweet little Ameraucanas, on the other hand, love handouts and while they do forage pretty well they seem to more eagerly stock up on the FF and organic layer pellets. Their yolks are paler in comparison. Everyone also gets worms occasionally from my vermicomposting efforts and has access to graze cover crops of rye grass/clover/vetch. But the Wellies will be out foraging no matter the weather, while the Ams and EEs will be found sunbathing in the winter sun or napping in the coop.
All of the yolks will brighten up in warmer weather.....but I wonder if the aggressive foraging for wild food that the Welsummers keep at all year is part of the reason why their eggs stay bright and vibrant. I am really impressed with the breed.
Bridebeliever
Songster
Good observation!
Hello!
It's been awhile since I've been around- the last couple of years has been a whirlwind! We had a coon devastate our chickens last winter, and decided to take a break. I am brushing up on my chicken knowledge since we are starting over with day old chicks in a month!
My chickens always had paler yolks in the winter too- the hens that were more pushy about getting the kitchen veggie scraps stayed brighter!
I work full time and often would come home to frozen eggs- is there anything you guys do to prevent frozen eggs? I was thinking of lining our nest boxes with wool from our sheepies....
It's been awhile since I've been around- the last couple of years has been a whirlwind! We had a coon devastate our chickens last winter, and decided to take a break. I am brushing up on my chicken knowledge since we are starting over with day old chicks in a month!
My chickens always had paler yolks in the winter too- the hens that were more pushy about getting the kitchen veggie scraps stayed brighter!
I work full time and often would come home to frozen eggs- is there anything you guys do to prevent frozen eggs? I was thinking of lining our nest boxes with wool from our sheepies....
Sock warmers, or pet heating pads? It makes sense to try the sheep wool. Maybe the wool would retain some heat from the hen's body long enough after she leaves the nest.
Good post! Also thanks for the info on the welsummers. My goal is to have breeds that forage well. Even though I make my own organic feed from whole grains (and legumes unfortunately), I still believe they get a more balanced, species-appropriate diet when they forage as much as possible.
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@Paganrose
Do you have electricity to your housing? I've heard many people that recommend putting seedling mats in the bottom of nest boxes to keep eggs from freezing. Have never tried it myself. Though I work, for some reason I've never had an egg freeze.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Viagrow-...pagating-Seedling-Heat-Mat-VSEEDMAT/202985174
Do you have electricity to your housing? I've heard many people that recommend putting seedling mats in the bottom of nest boxes to keep eggs from freezing. Have never tried it myself. Though I work, for some reason I've never had an egg freeze.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Viagrow-...pagating-Seedling-Heat-Mat-VSEEDMAT/202985174
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Ps: @SeattleSelkie
Where do you get your Welsummers...are they "hatchery quality"?
Where do you get your Welsummers...are they "hatchery quality"?
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