This is How They Fed Chicks 100 Years Ago

[DCasper]

My Grandfather was born in 1894, and he taught me how to feed chicks the way he did when he was a boy. He had a handcranked corn sheller and a handcranked corn grinder which he showed me how to use. Besides corn he fed them table scraps like watermelon rinds and vegetables. They also loved biscuits and just about anything else they had left over. I know this isn't scientific or from a book, but in rural Kentucky many farmers had to be creative and use what they had to get by.

Now, I have a handcranked corn sheller and I am looking for a handcranked corn grinder. I want my Grandkids to learn the same way I did. Somethings should just get passed down...

 

[bestpractice]

My Grandfather was born in 1894, and he taught me how to feed chicks the way he did when he was a boy. He had a handcranked corn sheller and a handcranked corn grinder which he showed me how to use. Besides corn he fed them table scraps like watermelon rinds and vegetables. They also loved biscuits and just about anything else they had left over. I know this isn't scientific or from a book, but in rural Kentucky many farmers had to be creative and use what they had to get by.

Now, I have a handcranked corn sheller and I am looking for a handcranked corn grinder. I want my Grandkids to learn the same way I did. Somethings should just get passed down...

Try eBay, you should be able to find one cheap -- I would use my kitchen aid grinder . I fed my baby chicks some whole grain oat bread that was going stale and some cottage cheese that was getting ready to go out of date. They loved it. They were already establishing their pecking order, over that treat! It was so funny to watch them grab and run while another was in hot pursuit. There were some heated discussions about those treats

 

[NYRIR]

What a great thread. I always have an appreciation for the "old ways" of doing things. They had to use their resources to the full and also their noggins'

. Seems like so much is lost along the way, and with technology supposed to be making things quicker and easier...it's also making us lazier and more wasteful.
Thanks for sharing this...

 

[hannakat]

I really enjoyed reading this thread! Glimpses into the past are wonderful and teach us so much! Thank you!

 

[suebee]

Thanks for this post, very interesting.

 

[OkChickens]

What a great thread. I always have an appreciation for the "old ways" of doing things. They had to use their resources to the full and also their noggins'

. Seems like so much is lost along the way, and with technology supposed to be making things quicker and easier...it's also making us lazier and more wasteful.
Thanks for sharing this...

That is very true.

Nate

 

[Chris09]

That is a very good post on "old type" feeding but the thing that most people have to remember is that chickens 100 year ago were very much different than the chickens we have to day.
There are very few chickens today that would survive off the "old time" feed mixes and even fewer that can truly free range.
Here is a very good example of what I mean when I say chickens of old are different that chickens of today.

Cochin then (top picture) -


Cochin now (not my bird) -


As you can see the is a very big difference between to two fowl.

If one was going to try a feeding the ''old way" I would recommend sticking with *American Heritage Fowl and Gamefowl. Most are bred well with the term Duel Purpose in mind and and they also have the ability to truly free range.


*American Heritage -
These are American breeds that are bred by breeder (not hatcheries) and are bred to the American Standard of Perfection.
- Plymouth Rock, Rhode Island Red, Chantecler, Delaware, Dominique, Hollands, Java, Jersey Giant, New Hampshire, Buckeye and Wyandotte



Chris

 

[Clay Mudd]

If one was going to try a feeding the ''old way" I would recommend sticking with *American Heritage Fowl and Gamefowl. Most are bred well with the term Duel Purpose in mind and and they also have the ability to truly free range.


*American Heritage -
These are American breeds that are bred by breeder (not hatcheries) and are bred to the American Standard of Perfection.
- Plymouth Rock, Rhode Island Red, Chantecler, Delaware, Dominique, Hollands, Java, Jersey Giant, New Hampshire, Buckeye and Wyandotte



Chris

Oh, you mean real chickens?

 

[daver]

Oh, you mean real chickens?

LOL!!! This is a great thread.

Dave

 

[Chris09]

Oh, you mean real chickens?

Yes the real ones,

The ones that ain't yard art or walking feather dusters.


Chris