The Old Folks Home

[NotAFarm]

.... so exactly where is the heart of Texas?" I've never been out that way

Look at a map and draw a large heart in the center. Llano county is where I'm heading.

 

[getaclue]

Latestarter, have you narrowed it down to who the culprit is? Could there be rats in the coop at night doing the damage, then the hens picking at the open wound?

 

[getaclue]

Diva, just because someone tries telling us that older people are worthless, doesn't mean we older people have to buy into the lies, and they are lies. As to fitting in, with me that didn't start in old age. I didn't fit in when I was young either, so not fitting in as an older person is nothing new. Enjoy your movie with your son.

 

[drumstick diva]

thanks geta

 

[Latestarter]

No rats Clue... they live inside my outbldg. No access to outside. Right under a window. I watched the BO hens go after feathers and eat raw back flesh. Evidently they're lacking protein. They are getting 16% layer feed. They love scratch grains but don't seem all that partial to the pelleted feed I'm giving them.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

Latestarter, I alternate between bags of 16% layer and the 20% grower in my flock. It helps keep the protein up, especially in molt and winter.

 

[getaclue]

I agree with scg about keeping the protein up when they're in, or have just molted. It's important.

 

[Alaskan]

.... so exactly where is the heart of Texas?" I've never been out that way

I was going to say Llano or Castell! Maybe Mason.

Look at a map and draw a large heart in the center. Llano county is where I'm heading.

View attachment 1640064

Yep! There is good!

No rats Clue... they live inside my outbldg. No access to outside. Right under a window. I watched the BO hens go after feathers and eat raw back flesh. Evidently they're lacking protein. They are getting 16% layer feed. They love scratch grains but don't seem all that partial to the pelleted feed I'm giving them.

I find with any kind of confinement they do better on at least 18%, 20 is better. I would stop feeding them the scratch.

Latestarter, I alternate between bags of 16% layer and the 20% grower in my flock. It helps keep the protein up, especially in molt and winter.

Up here they sell a 20% layer... but I have been using the less protein all flock this winter. (less money)

 

[pennyJo1960]

I supplement 18% when in Molt otherwise I have feather loss on birds alternating meal worms and cat food that is 26 %

 

[NotAFarm]

Ditto on higher protein and less low protein scratch to prevent feather picking.
I use Purina Gamebird Startena, 30% protein, in the winter when my flock can't find bugs, worms, and other high protein crawlies when it is cold. It is more expensive but worth it to me for the winter.