Washingtonians

[4cats3kids1hubby2many]

Quote: Any feed store has it. Put it in a bowl - in the run. This way you can "monitor" how much that they are eating and can make sure they always have it available. Noit only do I do oyster shells, but I bake my egg shells and then crush them up and give them to the birdies.

 

[FirewifeJess]

Quote:
Yup...you've convinced me. No dog! That's the last thing I need. My almost 4 year old daughter still pees herself many times a day and YDS is nowhere near potty trained. I DEFINITELY don't need to be training a dog whilst training 2 kids too

Nope, I'll wait until the kids are teens and let them take care of the dog chores

 

[FirewifeJess]

Quote: Any feed store has it. Put it in a bowl - in the run. This way you can "monitor" how much that they are eating and can make sure they always have it available. Noit only do I do oyster shells, but I bake my egg shells and then crush them up and give them to the birdies.

Right now my girls have access to 18% starter/grower feed, water, and grit. And they free-range most of the day in the half acre backyard. When do I need to start providing oyster shell and/or egg shells? I had heard it's good to put it out with the first egg.

 

[Chicken Rustler]

Quote: There are a few more that didn't make it in the pics but I really don't have that many. I only have 20 LF, 10 B, Silkiebator, 8 B Am chicks (1 week) and Pierre.

 

[4cats3kids1hubby2many]

Quote: Any feed store has it. Put it in a bowl - in the run. This way you can "monitor" how much that they are eating and can make sure they always have it available. Noit only do I do oyster shells, but I bake my egg shells and then crush them up and give them to the birdies.

Right now my girls have access to 18% starter/grower feed, water, and grit. And they free-range most of the day in the half acre backyard. When do I need to start providing oyster shell and/or egg shells? I had heard it's good to put it out with the first egg.
Hopefully someone else pipes up on this....I usually start giving it to mine about the time they are starting to lay. Probably because I don't remember until then.

 

[Chicken Rustler]

Right now my girls have access to 18% starter/grower feed, water, and grit. And they free-range most of the day in the half acre backyard. When do I need to start providing oyster shell and/or egg shells? I had heard it's good to put it out with the first egg.

I feed flock which is 20-21% with out added calcium. I provide feed, grit, oyster shell and water free choice at all times. the birds will "normally" only eat as much oyster shell as they need. But if ya put extra calcium in the feed they must eat it. From what (little) I know this not very good for pre POL birds.

 

[Farmin Momma]

Does anyone have any silkies you can part with?? I want one that is at least 11-18 weeks old. Really needs to be a good fit with my flock. I'm picking up two Marans pullets on Saturday and can keep a new silky with them so I'd LOVE to get one Saturday!!! Yes, must be a pullet. No, I don't care what color.

I can never remember where people are located but I have a few that are 10 weeks old that you could chose from.

 

[Teva]

Dad died last night.

So sorry for your loss, Hallerlake.

 

[Teva]

All dogs will go after poultry until you train them what you want them to do.
Consult a pro- trainer if you have an issue, and if you have no time to train a dog, then forget it.
There is NO DOG breed that will protect poultry that comes right from the welp into your hands, it has to be trained.
To be trained requires your involvement.
If you do not have that capacity of time to dedicate to training, which may go on for at least 2 years, then forget it.

Yes. Exactly.

 

[FirewifeJess]

Quote:
That's pretty far for me to drive with the kids But I really want one!



Question for anyone who knows their breeds: I'm just wondering who in my flock is most likely to go broody, if anyone? I certainly hope I have at least one good broody breed in my mix, so that maybe I can skip the silkie and count on one I've already got?
RIR (I know, she won't be a good mama most likely...)
Black Australorp
Buff Orpingtons
Easter Eggers
Welsummer
GLW
Marans/EE x
Cuckoo Marans/Ameraucana x