What did you do with your flock today?

[ChicksnMore]

I was wondering the same thing. I'm sure these farm store chicks were bred for high egg production rates, and that could very well be while their immature reproductive tracts are trying to push out so many eggs.

I fed them the high protein feed because of the amount of time I was letting them forage in the yard, and was giving them snacks/scratch at times. I thought it would balance things out protein-wise.

Like you said, it may be that my pullets were bred to do best on a 16% protein feed. Maybe the higher protein was throwing things out of whack, and causing their egg laying machinery to work too fast.

I read a long time ago about a fellow who feeds nothing but compost to his chickens. I found it fascinating. I doubt many of us could have enough compost on hand to do what he does...but it's interesting stuff.
https://www.permaculturenews.org/2013/12/06/grow-chickens-without-buying-grain-feeding-compost/

And here's what the FOA has to say about raising chickens that way.
https://www.fao.org/family-farming/detail/en/c/1615843/

Editing to add that maybe high proteins has nothing to do with it. Still reading and thinking...

 

[PopoMyers]

The littles forgave me for the motorcycle ride after a bug search last eve. We are once again besties View attachment 3599892
Brought 5 hens down this morning who were not thrilled about being shoved into cat carriers and then the back of my truck, but I think they can be bribed also.
View attachment 3599899
Kind of boring down here with only 10 chickens locked in a run...
Im waiting on the washer to finish, then I will hang duvet cover and head back up to the mountain.
House looks and smells good...even the bathroom this time.

Sounds like you are ready for the onslaught of people. Glad the ride down was successful and they still love you. The kids will enjoy them.

 

[PopoMyers]

That's exactly it! Wish I could work out what it means...

A hilarious movie would be "What Roosters Want"

 

[Smokerbill]

I read a long time ago about a fellow who feeds nothing but compost to his chickens. I found it fascinating. I doubt many of us could have enough compost on hand to do what he does...but it's interesting stuff.
https://www.permaculturenews.org/2013/12/06/grow-chickens-without-buying-grain-feeding-compost/

And here's what the FOA has to say about raising chickens that way.
https://www.fao.org/family-farming/detail/en/c/1615843/

Editing to add that maybe high proteins has nothing to do with it. Still reading and thinking...

I don't know if this is the same guy in your link, but I watched this video a while back about feeding only compost to chickens. Interesting concept. He gets a lot of food scraps from restaurants and stores, grinds and mixes it up. The chickens convert it all into eggs and meat.

 

[kurby22]

Just checking on you @TropicalBabies! How’s the island doing? I was just reading about the fires on Maui—didn’t you say you had property there or the BI? Those winds and lower humidity on the leeward sides is the worst combo!! I’m so sorry for the people of Lahaina

Glad to hear Forest succeeded!! What a good good boy! Killing AND keeping it outside!

 

[Smokerbill]

I just pulverized some oyster shells in my utility coffee grinder. I'll mix a spoonful into the pullets' mash tomorrow morning. Should work as well as calcium supplement tablets.

 

[TropicalBabies]

Just checking on you @TropicalBabies! How’s the island doing? I was just reading about the fires on Maui—didn’t you say you had property there or the BI? Those winds and lower humidity on the leeward sides is the worst combo!! I’m so sorry for the people of Lahaina

Glad to hear Forest succeeded!! What a good good boy! Killing AND keeping it outside!

My kids house. Gone. Been trying to find him all day. Lahaina Maui is where I grew up so this is hard all the way around.

Found out at MIL funeral services today.... not hanging with dhs family, just hanging by phone, looking for ways to track him down and get him on a plane to me.

 

[kurby22]

My kids house. Gone. Been trying to find him all day. Lahaina Maui is where I grew up so this is hard all the way around.View attachment 3604565
Found out at MIL funeral services today.... not hanging with dhs family, just hanging by phone, looking for ways to track him down and get him on a plane to me.

Oh no, this makes me sick with worry for you! I’m so sorry and will be hoping and praying for you that everything is all okay Let us know as soon as you are able

 

[TropicalBabies]

Feeling like this is a little late and very little done about it.
I was telling dh last eve that they should close the roads up to Koke'e to visitors due to the extreme risk of fire. Be easy enough to do... I mean, it costs us LOTS of dollars everytime we have a blaze. We may have lucked out this time... but still. No solutions, only problems because we don't want to collect less dollars...

 

[AngBantamLuv]

View attachment 3604649
Feeling like this is a little late and very little done about it.
I was telling dh last eve that they should close the roads up to Koke'e to visitors due to the extreme risk of fire. Be easy enough to do... I mean, it costs us LOTS of dollars everytime we have a blaze. We may have lucked out this time... but still. No solutions, only problems because we don't want to collect less dollars...

Thoughts are w you and your family, @TropicalBabies ❤

I lived on Oahu and would call in grass fires, and no one would respond until it was actually up at a house.. so the slow action is not surprising to me. Such a shame and tragedy for all.