Washingtonians

[Zgoatlady]

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I somehow doubt it's you; for me, at least, it's a matter of weekends being a hassle, for me, and you can basically tell when I'm home and in the house by the pattern of my posts here. (And last night I broke some rules and went to bed early).

It has slowed down a bit....So I am going to throw out a couple questions for you chicken experts from a newbie. What do you feed your girls? My three are 4 and 5 mos and I am feeding them Del's 16% layer feed, whick is what they were on when I got them. I was going to buy the Purina Scratch at Del's and the girl there told me that was just for treats. She said it was like if we ate nothing but potato chips. ????

I would like to feed organic, but not sure where to find it in my area (South Sound). I also give some scraps. They would eat none at first, but are learning to enjoy them and come to us when we come out with them. The only things they eat so far are shelled peas from my garden, a little steel cut oats (someone told me that oats for people will expand inside the chicken so you shouldn't feed it to them?), and some canteloupe last night. Oh, and the dandelions from their run. I have been following Ariloveschickens, and plan to try some mealworms. They wouldn't eat apples from my trees, strawberries from my garden, or leftover lettuce, although I will keep trying. I have black sunflower seeds for my birdfeeder. Would they eat those, or do they need shelled sunflower seeds. Just curious what you all feed... Thanks!

Also, do you feed at night in the coop? My feed is out in the covered run, but there is water inside and out.

The girl is right about scratch its just a treat.

 

[KMHunter]

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Well first off I AM NOT AN EXPERT nor do I claim to be! This is all my opinion based on what little I have learned by reading and experience. Yes too much corn will drop the protien levels which will effect egg production too. Basically if you are feeding less than 20% protien then very limited corn (as in scratch). Yes scratch (corn) is just candy to chickens. With time they will learn to take to the leftovers. NO RAW tator peel !!!
ETA I also make sure any rice,oatsbeans etc are soaked / cooked.

Kim is there a reason you remove apple seeds. And yes chickens are the next best thing to having pigs for leftovers/ table scraps.

Apple seeds have a small amount of arsnic in them. Just playing it safe. I mostly give them oatmeal cooked but I have a homemade scratch that calls for oats, but I only use a small amount in the mix so each chicken is only getting a fraction.

Also wanted to say that sunflower seeds are given with the shells on.

 

[KMHunter]

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Quite awhile! I don't remember when I got it. I think I paid for a year?

 

[KMHunter]

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She can't tell ya the details about her avatar cause it's top seeecret !!!

Yeah, top secret!

C4G- I actually did not take the picture. CL found it online and emailed it to me.

Wish I could take credit for it. Very cute!

 

[hallerlake]

Quote:
I somehow doubt it's you; for me, at least, it's a matter of weekends being a hassle, for me, and you can basically tell when I'm home and in the house by the pattern of my posts here. (And last night I broke some rules and went to bed early).

It has slowed down a bit....So I am going to throw out a couple questions for you chicken experts from a newbie. What do you feed your girls? My three are 4 and 5 mos and I am feeding them Del's 16% layer feed, whick is what they were on when I got them. I was going to buy the Purina Scratch at Del's and the girl there told me that was just for treats. She said it was like if we ate nothing but potato chips. ????

I would like to feed organic, but not sure where to find it in my area (South Sound). I also give some scraps. They would eat none at first, but are learning to enjoy them and come to us when we come out with them. The only things they eat so far are shelled peas from my garden, a little steel cut oats (someone told me that oats for people will expand inside the chicken so you shouldn't feed it to them?), and some canteloupe last night. Oh, and the dandelions from their run. I have been following Ariloveschickens, and plan to try some mealworms. They wouldn't eat apples from my trees, strawberries from my garden, or leftover lettuce, although I will keep trying. I have black sunflower seeds for my birdfeeder. Would they eat those, or do they need shelled sunflower seeds. Just curious what you all feed... Thanks!

Also, do you feed at night in the coop? My feed is out in the covered run, but there is water inside and out.

Mudbay pet stores have organic chicken feed. I'm not doing layer feed because only four of the chickens are laying so far. I have oyster shell available for those that want/need it. I got that at Mudbay. The store clerk was right about scratch; it's a treat rather than a main dish. Scott at Patriot Farm in Winlock delivers feed to a variety of places. Rainwolf can tell you where. Now, that he's doing a coarser grind, I like it better. A little coarser still would work for me. My big girls love BOSS. It took them awhile to figure out that it was food, but once they did, they loved it. I mix it with scratch for winter treats. My chickens love the fallen apples from my trees.

 

[Chicken Rustler]

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I didn't know that about apple seeds. I know peach pits do. I feed lots of apple this time of year. Also punkin seeds are a good treat and are supposed to help with parasites. I have found that if I run em through the food processor first and the chooks seem to like better that way. But in the fall I get LOTS of fresh raw punkin and feed it for months.

 

[hallerlake]

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I didn't know that about apple seeds. I know peach pits do. I feed lots of apple this time of year. Also punkin seeds are a good treat and are supposed to help with parasites. I have found that if I run em through the food processor first and the chooks seem to like better that way. But in the fall I get LOTS of fresh raw punkin and feed it for months.

I noticed the little sugar pumpkins are on sale at the supermarket. Those would be good for feeding to chickens, wouldn't they?

 

[Kaneke]

I've been feeding GAME BIRD feed, since that's what the people at Wai Ulu farms recommended; they said the extra protein in game bird feed is actually better for the chickens than "chicken feed"

I usually get it at Yelm Farm & Pet rather than at Del's -- I don't like the Purina stuff (I'm leery about GMO soy), so I buy either "store brand" at Del's or the non-Purina stuff at Y F&P

we also give them a cup or so of black oil sunflower seeds every day, for additional protein if they need/want it, and they just love the stuff

oyster shell separately in a big earthenware crock, for if they want it

also toss in salad leavings (napa cabbage, carrot tops, zucchini trimmings, sometimes a little dried out cheese), yogurt with minced garlic sprinkled on it, and the fallen apples and pears from my neighbor's side line

and while they're out in the yard, they eat Indian plum, Oregon grape, and snowberry berries, and plantain and dandelion and a little bit of scotch broom, sometimes they nibble on blackberry leaves but mostly not (wish they would !)

oh yes, and I toss into the coop, any pillbugs or worms or carpenter ants that I find, and the chicks chase butterflies, moths, yellowjackets, and flies on their own

 

[Chicken Rustler]

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Quite awhile! I don't remember when I got it. I think I paid for a year?

The GFM is a fun added thing to have. I really enjoyed the one that some unknown gifted me. Unfortunately I never could find out who so I could properly thank them. And I can't buy one let alone to return the favor by gifting someone else.

 

[hallerlake]

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I was very disappointed when I realized they wouldn't eat the darn blackberries.