What did you do with your flock today?

[Nomadicus]

I have a separate little feeder box for the oyster shells, next to a box of grit, so I'll keep it in place.

I was buying feed locally and was happy with it. Excel grower/starter feed was crumbles. I switched to CHS all flock 19% pellets next.

But because of the laying problems I decided to spend more for a bag and got the Nutrena Naturewise layer pellets at TSC. It was $5 more per bag than the feeds I got locally, $25 vs $20 per 50# bag. I just felt better spending more for a big-name brand feed this time around. I'll probably switch back to CHS layer pellets after the Naturewise is eaten up and see how it does.

Actually, buying feed locally saves me more than $5. It takes $10 worth of gas to make a trip to TSC.

50lbs of 22% layer pellets cost me about $15. 18% layer crumbles $13. 50.
50 lbs of 27% game bird starter grower that I'll feed at molting is $13.50.

all are in 50lb bags. 50lb bag of oyster shell is less than $11.

 

[Smokerbill]

50lbs of 22% layer pellets cost me about $15. 18% layer crumbles $13. 50.
50 lbs of 27% game bird starter grower that I'll feed at molting is $13.50.

all are in 50lb bags. 50lb bag of oyster shell is less than $11.

Wow! Good prices!

 

[Nomadicus]

Wow! Good prices!

And they have no supply issues. (yet)

 

[ChicksnMore]

50lbs of 22% layer pellets cost me about $15. 18% layer crumbles $13. 50.
50 lbs of 27% game bird starter grower that I'll feed at molting is $13.50.

all are in 50lb bags. 50lb bag of oyster shell is less than $11.

Wish I had those kind of prices here!

 

[EuroChook]

Hello! This is a place to post pictures/talk about what you and your flock have done today.

Those pics are so cute...They're making my beak hurt!

 

[EuroChook]

At the weekend I'm going back to visit my folks flock. I know that they took on 5 new ones and they also sent out 10, a net loss of five, (and net profit of 0). But I want to see if they all still remember me and run after me. They used to Picture the opening scene in that ancient movie... The Sound of Music. Sister Maria twirling around on a vernal Austrian hillside, yeah, before getting mobbed by a million chickens. Sorta like that is how it will be! (Vid pending... I need to find a Ww2 Austrian nun outfit. Sheesh! I thought it would be easy!)

 

[kurby22]

I just checked again and two are in the nest boxes, and another is clucking and pacing around like she's ready to lay too. And still no defective eggs on the wood chip floor!

I have 18 red Russian kale seedlings and a dozen Brussels sprout plants that will produce greens for the chickens through the winter. The red kale is very cold hardy. I was able to pick and eat leaves from a plant last winter even after temps down into the teens.

I have several marigolds blooming. Will the chickens just eat petals from the flowers? Or should I chop and mix with their mash?

Haha, yes, they will full defoliate your marigolds Mine devoured sooo many a poor plant They love them, and enjoy the destruction in my experience!

 

[Maddcatter]

I'll experiment today and see if they'll eat a flower out of my hand. When I offer things by hand, they seem to eat it most of the time. If I throw the same thing on the floor, they often ignore it.

Well, to them you're a rooster. Your hand is kind of your mouth, so you're tidbitting if it's in your hand.
Once you rooster is integrated into your flock, you can give him a treat and the rooster will probably drop it and tell the ladies to eat it.

 

[ChicksnMore]

Just for fun

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[Shetland lover]

I just checked again and two are in the nest boxes, and another is clucking and pacing around like she's ready to lay too. And still no defective eggs on the wood chip floor!

I have 18 red Russian kale seedlings and a dozen Brussels sprout plants that will produce greens for the chickens through the winter. The red kale is very cold hardy. I was able to pick and eat leaves from a plant last winter even after temps down into the teens.

I have several marigolds blooming. Will the chickens just eat petals from the flowers? Or should I chop and mix with their mash?

You can do either with the marigolds. Mine won't touch marigold petals - rose petals are more their style!
Mine adore kale but will not touch brussel sprouts with a barge pole, not even the leafy tops. They are clearly insane!
Fun fact: bright orange yolks have no extra nutritional benefits to pale ones. Go figure