Chicken Mash

[Hinotori]

Chickens billing food out is a problem. I haven't had any issues with that since they all have treadle feeders now. The feeders keep out rats, too. Even the 2 pound silkies can manage one.

I have about 50 silkies right now and 15 birds in the large fowl pen. There is some soup candidates out there after I'm done hatching eggs this year.

 

[baymule]

I have no chickens now. I gave them away before I moved to sons house. At my farm, there is a series of tumble down coops that need to go. I’ll get chickens again, but not any time soon. Then I’ll have to choose a breed, no idea what that will be.

 

[baymule]

I’ve had red sex links, black sex links, both are crazy good layers. Silver Laced Wyandotte’s were my first chickens. I had Delawares and hated them. They were so mean to the other chickens. I’ve had EE’s, Blue Laced Wyandotte’s, mixed mutts, and I think that’s all. So many breeds to pick from!

 

[Dreamz]

shhhhhh---don't say that too loud or my DH will hear you!!!!

for now, it sits at 12...until spring

My Hub put a weird face and just said, " too much to do at the same time" ,when I said that my best friend and church-buddy as my grandson called her, was taking me to visit one of her friends that will willingly let me have a goat,lol. He does a lot, have to give him that. Still he needs to built a small coop for the roo for the winter, put up the greenhouse, a metal shed he has been trying to complete in 2 years. We started late at "farming"? We are both on the 60's an have no equipment or money. He has not worked since Feb, so all is on my pension as it goes thin many times. But unlike him, I have a provider who watches over. I have developed a great respect and appreciation for people that have done this for a longer time. You are all my inspiration! Thank you!

 

[Hinotori]

I hadn't really messed with the teenagers for the last month. I thought there were 2 blue partridge cockerels and one pullet. It's 2 pullets and a cockerel. They are 16-17 weeks old now. About half the size of adults. They look bigger than they are because of fluff. They weigh about a pound.

Girls look like adults and the boys are getting their big boy feathers in now. They won't lay until spring. Non-hatchery silkies are slow maturing. Usually 9 months for spring hatched pullets but I've had it take longer. Then there are the evil ones who go broody  before they ever lay.

Boys are just as slow. They don't normally even think about hens until well over 7 months and many times it's longer.

Some peoples lines may mature little earlier but 7 months is usually a minimum. I can almost get that from fall hatched birds because of the lengthening days.

 

[Trying2keepitReal]

Wh

What is 2 way? (I tried Google, but “2 way feed” wasn’t enough to go on.) And 14% is low for chickens, not to mention it’s formulated for cattle. @baymule has used a multipurpose feed for all her different animals with success. Maybe she has input on whether 14% cattle feed is close enough nutritionally to what she used. You will probably still need to offer oyster shell on the side.

I believe the 2 way is a scratch mix of corn and then another grain. and agree with @Finnie oyster shell and grit on the side. Grit maybe not so much if free ranging but it can't hurt to offer

I also believe that 16% is minimum for laying hens to get needed nutrients--the feed I use has 20% which is good for the harder winters and molting, then I don't need to change up anything.

 

[baymule]

I used a 14% all purpose feed for sheep, horses, feeder pigs and laying hens. All did well on it.

 

[baymule]

Where you get from?

Jesus is Lord and Christ

A mill in north Texas, it wouldn’t be available to you. They stay fairly regional.

 

[Dreamz]

Silkies are a very pretty breed. I just would not have them. I think they cannot see. I also not crazy about feathered legs. I see pictures and videos and all chickens are so clean. Mine are slobs, they are always eating something and walking in anything,lol. Today, my 2 leghorns were eating whiskey berries. They looked like they had killed something,lol. I always wear rundown clothes to go outside. Thank God for church that I can wear decent clothes and make up lol

 

[Dreamz]

Stil

No they can't see well. Which is why I have a courtyard that their pens open into so they can "free range" there. I just change which pen is open. Usually I have fencing dividing it in half but the puppy is using it right now.

Silkies know they cant see and learn to dunk their heads in water. I use water cups in summer because the water lasts longer and stays cleaner. Some hens will bill the water out and mix it up into mud. Then I get this.

View attachment 20074

Still cute!