The road less traveled...back to good health! They have lice, mites, scale mites, worms, anemia, gl

[stonykill]

Their feathers are sufficient for staying warm and some fat, but not excessive. I don't believe that types of feed(more corn) can keep a chicken warm, though being too underfed can certainly compromise their ability to keep warm and to stay healthy. Wild birds survive those temps and they are burning fuel due to having to find food, so I think the chickens have a big advantage in that regard. Their foods and water are provided, they have good shelter and they do not have to evade predators...life is good as a chicken in the winter months.

I agree with all except the predator part in the winter. Winter time predatation around here is horrible. The predators have a harder time finding food, meaning I'm killing more predators trying to kill my chickens.
Dead predator count so far since March of this year 16 raccoons, 3 possum, 3 weasels (thanks to my cat) , 2 foxes and a bobcat. I didn't start counting until March.....

 

[Beekissed]

But you kill the predators and your chickens are not spending their time evading them....wild birds are constantly wary, constantly on the move and have no one guarding them while they eat and live.

 

[chickachee]

LOVE that movie. We use "that'll do, pig" constantly in our lives and everyone enjoys that line...use it every chance we get.

We do too! Also use - "Maaaaaaaaa....."

 

[stonykill]

But you kill the predators and your chickens are not spending their time evading them....wild birds are constantly wary, constantly on the move and have no one guarding them while they eat and live.

many times I only know there is a predator present because the chickens ARE trying to evade it

. Ever heard 70 plus birds let out the chicken alarm call at once? While chickens are all running at top speed for cover? That is usually how I know a predator is present

 

[Beekissed]

That's how I know my birds think there is a predator present. I ignore them and listen to Jake. He doesn't cry wolf like the chooks do.

 

[stonykill]

That's how I know my birds think there is a predator present. I ignore them and listen to Jake. He doesn't cry wolf like the chooks do.

I know the alarm call. It is similar to many other calls but more urgent. There is a difference between noise and an alarm call. Noise I ignore, the alarm call, I kill something

 

[Beekissed]

You need a good dog so you and your chickens can relax a bit.

Toby and Jake work as a team, with one watching the sky and the other the woods. It works and we don't often have much alarms called here, though the woods are full of trouble all around us. Everyone stays together and moves from cover to cover quickly and quietly. Jake is vigilant and walks the perimeters and scents the wind.

It's pretty quiet here...but then I don't have 70 chickens. The most I've ever had was 54 at one time since becoming an adult flock owner.

 

[stonykill]

yeah, I'm not ready to bury another dog. My last dog I had 14 years. Not ready to do that again. And target practice on live moving targets is good practice

 

[Mountain Momma]

Probably....but you'd be healthier in the long run and would adjust and feel great. Pretty soon the ration would fit the activity level and there would be less health risks. I know all that but still can't keep my elbows from bending too frequently....

No, not too low. Especially for flocks that free range~lots of more and better utilized proteins going on there~ and then the FF utilizes more of the protein available in the feed, so may just be getting that full 15%. You've got to figure that, even when the bag says 17-18%, they are not receiving that full protein percentage when fed dry feeds due to the lack of being able to absorb it in that form. Most of the normal protein levels fed dry are not going to be accurate representations of what your flock actually utilizes when fed as an unfermented ration.

I agree with all of your reasonoings. It makes sense to me. One thing I would like to note for your thoughts and comments. When I got my rescue flock and the half 50# bags of whole wheat and whole corn I gave it to all of them as well for several weeks. They got fat fast, even my healthy hens, and then I had egg bind issues among the rescues and one died, one has never layed again and one made it through okay. I'm wondering if it is a feast or famine mechinism that kicks in in birds that have gone hungry and then get a bounty. Just a thought. Noticed the similarity of situation.
L

 

[delisha]

I don't know..I don't think so. My birds are fat and it is my fault. I am listening to them tell me they are starving. I put up that stupid fence and limited the foraging and I am trying to make up for it in grain. I have to ignore them or I am going to have problems. They are all about a lb over weight. I picked up every single bird tonight, even the ducks. The FF put it on fast. I feel awful letting them get so fat. Poor birds.