What to feed my free range chickens

[cmom]

I would consider getting a rooster or two, because if they are free range hens, they need extra protection. The rooster alerts them to predators so they can hide. I have not lost one hen yet!!! I have coyotes, etc.

I don't know how many years you have raised your birds but more than likely there will be a day when you loose one. I have gone a few years without loosing any birds then somewhere a predator breached. Good luck and have fun...

 

[cmom]

I just purchased an Anatolian Shepard pup. I pick up on the 14th this month. It will be 8 weeks old. By the time he is 12 weeks old I should have him trained to protect my hens. The only reason I don’t want roosters is that I want my hens to lay eggs for sale.

I have pure breeds (heritage) birds. I have a male and a backup male for each of my breeds. I do sell my eggs. There is no difference between a fertilized egg and an unfertilized egg. I have some community coops and pens where I keep different breeds together with a backup male and then I have some pens dedicated as breeding coops and pens. Certain times a year I sell eggs for hatching. I'm putting some test eggs in my incubator in a couple of days. More than likely most of the eggs from the community coops and pens are not fertile because there is way more females than one male can mate but there is always a chance there is some fertile eggs. Good luck and have fun...