Washingtonians

[Chicken Rustler]

Quote: Having spent my younger years living on the dry side of OR. If it ain't got seeds and it ain't a Hermiston. It ain't a watermelon ! ! !

 

[Chicken Rustler]

Ok, I gave my girls the Scratch and Peck layer for 4 months. I think I gave it a fair shake with that time frame. I was wetting crumbs and making sure they ate them, too. Egg production dropped and dropped during that time frame. It got down to me having days two days where I got 0 eggs from 16 birds, with 4-5 eggs being average. I always have oyster shell available. I was constantly having soft shell eggs and the rest were porous or thin. We sell about 4 to 5 dozen eggs a week and I wasn't getting enough good eggs to keep up. Two weeks ago I ran out and got some cheap Nutrena layer on sale. Within a few days there was a visual difference and egg production picked up. I haven't had a soft shell in a week and a half. All shells are back to hard and I'm getting 10-13 a day again for the last week.

Egg production didn't drop that much the week I didn't get to the store earlier this year and they had to eat my 12+ seed scratch and whatever they could forage up themselves. I think it only dropped a couple eggs a day. I do record egg count and any soft shells every day.

What the heck is up with that? I thought everyone was that was using the Scratch and Peck had good results on it. I'm just frustrated with that, blah.

I would be curious of the protein % in each of the feeds. Also if you are feeding any scratch (corn).

 

[Chicken Rustler]

Something kinda weird / Funny today... My hubby has been complaining that the Rooster I keep has been attacking him when ever he goes into the coop or even to open it. Now I have never seen this roo do anything more than puff up and charge, but then waddle off chattering to himself . Minus one time shortly after he arrived that he came after me and that ended with him running off with the feed bucket on his head. He and I have gotten along well since and so has my kids and the caretaker that looks after them when I'm away...

Anyways I have been thinking my husband was just overreacting.... until tonight. We had let the chickens all out to free range while we were unloading hay into the barn. When the Roo spotted my hubby he went silly crowing and puffing up flapping his wings...... I shooed him off and we kinda laughed about it.. About 10 minutes later... ( there's a loft in the barn) the roo came flying down at my husband. He looked possessed.. I have never seen him act like this.. Hubby knocked him back and I swear I'm not fibbing the 2 of them went round in circles. I t was a little like watching a MMA fight. I told Hubby he had to "win " the fight and actually catch the Roo . Hold him upside down by feet and put him in time out ( small kennel ) I don't know if that's the best way to handle an unruly roo. It is how I was taught by my father and grandfather (except they weren't always as patient, we often ate combative Roo'
s the same night ) it has worked well for me when dealing with the boys over the years..

I asked hubby what the heck he did to the bird to make it hate him so. He swears he has never done a thing. A friend of ours that was here helping with the hay told hubby that the Roo just looks at myself and my daughter as a more of "his women" and that must be why he dislikes hubby.. haahaa LOL

Now for a bit of funny.... later on I walked out to toss some melon to the girls... Here was hubby sitting next to the Roo still in his time out box.. Talking... yes my husband was talking to the Roo. Telling him that he knew he was" just protecting the women and all but dammit I pay for your food and you don't even give eggs.. so buddy shape up or well ...." I was pressing my hand over my face so hard to stop from laughing I almost couldn't breath . See my hubby really tries to be the tough guy esp when it comes to the animals.... so I quickly backed up and headed back to the house... When hubby came in I asked so did ya put "Hulk" (that's the roos name). Hubby replied "HECK NO.. if I put that so and so anywhere it will be it will only be into a pot." I told him no worries Id go put him back in... but really I was smiling to myself because I knew otherwise....

Sounds like yer DH has a pretty good handle on playing the rooster part. Be all tough and macho when somebody is watching. But when nobody is looking it's ok to be the nice guy.

 

[Chicken Rustler]

WOW I guess I haven't been here to check up on em fer a while. Looks like the night crew is really slackin! What's up wiff dat??? 4:30 and nobody home.

 

[4cats3kids1hubby2many]

Does having a rooster make your hens more distant? I once had an Appenzeller rooster who was a very high-strung yet charming fellow. He would notice that I was visiting my girls and do his very best to draw them away from me (he'd pretend he found a treat). Is this something that all roosters do, or is it just an issue with the high-strung guys? We had to get rid of him because my hens just followed him around all the time.

In my opinon: Yes, I believe most do this. You have to remember - this is their "harem" and it is their job (the roo) to protect and watch out for them. They don't want "you" stealing their girls. That said.....My "ladies" are always at the gate wanting out to free range and will follow me out and follow me around the yard as I hand out nummies. Husband sits in the yard (I have photos) handing out bread treats and all the ladies are there. Depending on the roo .... he may be in the background trying to get the ladies' attention or he may be more up front to take a treat and then use it to get the ladies' attention. This is my experience.

 

[KMHunter]

Ok, I gave my girls the Scratch and Peck layer for 4 months. I think I gave it a fair shake with that time frame. I was wetting crumbs and making sure they ate them, too. Egg production dropped and dropped during that time frame. It got down to me having days two days where I got 0 eggs from 16 birds, with 4-5 eggs being average. I always have oyster shell available. I was constantly having soft shell eggs and the rest were porous or thin. We sell about 4 to 5 dozen eggs a week and I wasn't getting enough good eggs to keep up. Two weeks ago I ran out and got some cheap Nutrena layer on sale. Within a few days there was a visual difference and egg production picked up. I haven't had a soft shell in a week and a half. All shells are back to hard and I'm getting 10-13 a day again for the last week.

Egg production didn't drop that much the week I didn't get to the store earlier this year and they had to eat my 12+ seed scratch and whatever they could forage up themselves. I think it only dropped a couple eggs a day. I do record egg count and any soft shells every day.

What the heck is up with that? I thought everyone was that was using the Scratch and Peck had good results on it. I'm just frustrated with that, blah.

I had the same problem when I tried it. I went back to De Young's feed or Layena when I am somewhere else and need feed.

 

[itsren]

I had the same problem when I tried it. I went back to De Young's feed or Layena when I am somewhere else and need feed.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do when I need to switch feed. My birds have been on Purina Medicated Start and Grow from day one and have done very well on it. With only 3 birds, feed lasts a very long time. I've only gone through 1.5 bags so far and they are 15 and a half weeks old. I'm hoping to get through the second half of bag 2 quickly... the bag says to switch feed by 18 weeks. That gives my birds 2 and half weeks for three birds to eat through half a bag! I think I'm going to have to cut back on free-ranging them just so we can get them to eat feed.

When I do switch, I'm debating whether I should stay with Purina, or try Layena. Whatever I get, the birds will be stuck with it for a long time. Feed bags are huge. Does anyone have experience with both Purina and Layena feed for laying hens? Care to comment on why you like the feed you use?

 

[itsren]

I told Hubby he had to "win " the fight and actually catch the Roo . Hold him upside down by feet and put him in time out ( small kennel ) I don't know if that's the best way to handle an unruly roo. It is how I was taught by my father and grandfather (except they weren't always as patient, we often ate combative Roo's the same night ) it has worked well for me when dealing with the boys over the years..

I went to the library yesterday and checked out a book called "City Chicks." There is a section called "Chicken Whisperers" in it and in that section they talk about the different ways to hold a chicken. One way they use to calm a chicken is to hold it upside down for a few seconds. They even show a picture of a bird being held upside down. I'll be honest, I'd be afraid to get one into an upside down position - but if my RIR keeps up her antics, she might find out what it's like to be held upside down.

Now for a bit of funny.... later on I walked out to toss some melon to the girls... Here was hubby sitting next to the Roo still in his time out box.. Talking... yes my husband was talking to the Roo. Telling him that he knew he was" just protecting the women and all but dammit I pay for your food and you don't even give eggs.. so buddy shape up or well ...." I was pressing my hand over my face so hard to stop from laughing I almost couldn't breath . See my hubby really tries to be the tough guy esp when it comes to the animals.... so I quickly backed up and headed back to the house... When hubby came in I asked so did ya put "Hulk" (that's the roos name). Hubby replied "HECK NO.. if I put that so and so anywhere it will be it will only be into a pot." I told him no worries Id go put him back in... but really I was smiling to myself because I knew otherwise....

I love that story! My hubby is the same way. Won't ever admit he adores the chickens, but I know he does (he makes jokes about getting a bird dog to fix the chicken population - and now how the newest chicken coop would make a great dog house). I frequently catch him feeding them treats and chatting with them. When he comes home, they all run to him - proof that he treats them so well they love to be around him.

 

[itsren]

I am so sorry that you missed freezer camp today. But I do know how it is when the car threatens to kill it's self. I am going to ask my DH what could cause symptoms like you have described. My DH is amazing when it comes to troubleshooting things.

I would appreciate that. DH drove my van to work today in hopes that the problem will repeat itself and I'll be driving his vehicle. The only thing he could come up with was that a rock may have gotten stuck somewhere causing that loud grinding sound. The only part that shook hard was the gas pedal. I hope we get it figured out soon - I don't like driving his SUV. I'm just happy we got back home yesterday without a problem. I was nervous that I was going to completely break down on a deserted country road, with three kids in the van and no cell service (my cell phone was flaky at camp - I couldn't call out, but I could text... weird).

 

[Chicken Rustler]

Quote: First do you know that Layena IS just a type of Purina? I feed Purina Flock Raiser pellets. It is 21% protein. All but my young chicks are fed this. I also offer oyster shell and grit free choice. This is just my method. I am not saying it is the best or any better than other people do.