I notice that my chickens love certain things to eat and not so much of other things. They love oats which I lay out on the ground occasionally. I also give them sunflower meats and kale. They also love canned corn - probably not the best but they go crazy over it. They have access to layer...
I got tired of the mess on the floor. Attracted mites. I set up a shelf under the roosts and put trays to catch the bulk of the poop in the house. I sprinkle DE on the litter about two weeks after I change the trays. I put cardboard or paper and it makes it easier to clean them. So much...
I have a walk in chicken house with a full door so I leave the door open just enough for them to go in and out during the snowy and windy weather. They decide themselves whether they want to be inside or outside. It is snowy here in Michigan so I have a continual chore of sweeping the snow...
I think they are close to laying. After mine were laying for a while I have been giving them 22% protein feed and oyster shell in a separate pan. They have access to the feed and oyster shell all the time. They regulate themselves. They are laying like mad even during this miserably cold...
I live in Michigan and it is really cold but my 21 hens are laying 19 -21 eggs a day. I give them 22% protein feed and daily treats since their yard is covered in snow and the ground is frozen solid. They are young (first year). I expected them to drop production during the winter but they...
I have one rooster and 21 hens. Maybe that isn't the right ratio but I don't want to deal with two roosters. Everything seems fine. All the hens lay very well.
I leave in on all night and even during the day if it is really cold. They don't want to come out of their chicken house much, especially if it is snowy and windy.
She seemed to scab over and heal the first time it happened in about a week or less. Now, she is scabbing up again from what I can tell. I can try to get a picture. It is super cold here in Michigan right now so she has to be near all the other chickens if she is out with the rest of them...
I decided to give my laying hens 22% protein meat bird feed and I think they like it. I am getting nearly full production (and egg a day) from my 21 hens even during this cold Michigan winter. (1 F this morning) I dump oyster shell in a separate pan for them to eat whenever they want it. Same...
My rooster is finally figuring out (I think) that the heat lamp is to keep him from getting frostbite. It was 1 F last night here in Michigan. That is the only thing I know to do to help them make it through the cold spells. It hangs from a chain from the ceiling and can not fall down so it...
I have 21 hens and one rooster. I found one hen with a pecked foot one day to the point of it being an open bleeding wound. I separated her for a while until the wound healed and scabbed over. I put her back in the flock but here we go again. I found her foot pecked again with the wound...
As mentioned, Grandpa's Feeder. Completely eliminated wild birds from eating my feed and the way it is designed the chickens do not waste a lot of feed. Expensive but glad I bought it.
Yes. Got them last spring. They are white leghorns. I have had chickens over many years and this is the first time with white leghorns. They lay very well.
I use a feeder (Grandpa's Feeder) and the chickens themselves choose when to eat. They step on a ramp and it opens up. It keeps the wild birds out which is a big problem where I live. So they are never restricted from their pellets. I use a 20% all flock feed. I never give them scratch but...
I have been feeding my laying hens 20% all flock feed. They seem to like it and are laying eggs very well right into winter. I am in Michigan were it gets quite cold. I have 21 hens and am getting 19-21 eggs a day - nearly full production. I do pamper them by giving them a treat every day in...
I tried Kalmbach feed and the chickens seem to like it. I use a Grandpa's Feeder. The chickens step on a platform to open the lid to have access to the feed. When they step off of it closes the lid. I wasn't sure if it would work but I am glad I got it now. The birds got used to it and...
To keep the water from freezing I bring a metal water container inside the coop. I have a walk-in chicken coop with 22 birds. (One rooster and 21 hens) I have been putting the water can on a homemade container with a lightbulb in it. This year I am going to try using a battery warmer strip...