Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[featherhead007]

No. The bones would be a problem: they're nothing but backbone.

That’s what the government says about me “nothing but backbone!”
It’s always nice to be remembered for a career well earned

 

[featherhead007]

Which reminds me, I’m back in the employ of the USMS as of tomorrow. A special cold case has been reopened, and I was asked (today) if I could assist with the investigation because new evidence has emerged and started up the process and possibly the apprehension of the perpetrator.
I had worked this case before my retirement, but it turned cold.
Off topic tax:

 

[SimpleJenn]

I have a question that I meant to ask awhile ago but I forgot...

We're switching to all flock feed soon. Should we get 16, 17, or 20% protein? By the time we buy it they'll be 6ish months old. I'm not sure if age matters?

I got the Kalmbach Full Plume, 20%
The Purina Layena extra protein with superworms is also excellent, 19%

 

[SimpleJenn]

Hubby fixed my 3d printer!!!!

I owe kiddo an entire army of chickens, the dog keeps chewing up her schleich ones sadly.

 

[Sylvester017]

Today I started the gang on the Chick’n Swell Egg vitamin supplements.

They say give for three days then do it once a week.

It smells nice when I mixed it up, I used 25ml for 5L of water.

I’ll be interested to see if egg quality improves in the older ladies.

According to my sweet ole' vet he always reminds chicken owners to provide chickens w/ vitamins. If it doesn't improve laying at least it improves their immune system/general well-being which in the long run can show up in egg quality. We've been supplementing ever since 2012. Nothing is a 100% sure thing w/ chickens but we try. We've also been scantily adding this bird supplement to wet treats for years.

The Missing Link Avian Superfood

 

[Sally PB]

Today I started the gang on the Chick’n Swell Egg vitamin supplements.

They say give for three days then do it once a week.

It smells nice when I mixed it up, I used 25ml for 5L of water.

I’ll be interested to see if egg quality improves in the older ladies.

I hope you'll post the results!

Mine are on an all flock 20% year round

Same here. Kalmbach Flock Maker, with oyster shell and egg shells on the side.

 

[RoyalChick]

I have a question that I meant to ask awhile ago but I forgot...

We're switching to all flock feed soon. Should we get 16, 17, or 20% protein? By the time we buy it they'll be 6ish months old. I'm not sure if age matters?

16% is the minimum as developed by the commercial egg industry.
They enjoy more protein. They can get that from free ranging and catching bugs or from giving them meat and/or fish treats.
I give mine a 20% protein feed. I am lucky enough to be able to afford it and they clearly crave more protein.

 

[Sylvester017]

I got the Kalmbach Full Plume, 20%
The Purina Layena extra protein with superworms is also excellent, 19%

I don't like to recommend what others feed their birds ~ but I'll share what we use. We've used Organic Scratch & Peck Grower Crumbles suitable for juveniles, hens, roos (no soy or corn) 17% protein.

Oyster Shell is offered separately as laying hens need it.

We buy nonGMO organic peas or canned corn as a treat since Scratch & Peck does not include corn in the Grower Crumbles but they do offer corn as a separate purchase. W/ bantams we like to offer dry feed only in the Grower Crumbles & supplement other fresh or wet foods to make it easy for little Silkie beaks to eat.

Then our supplementations are vitamins, seasonal organic produce/ground lamb sprinkled w/ The Missing Link Avian superfood, occasional dairy as hi-protein Greek plain yogurt, string cheese or parmesan chips, shelled sunflower seeds, mealworms plus whatever spiders, earwigs or crickets the hens scare up foraging.

 

[RoyalChick]

I got the Kalmbach Full Plume, 20%
The Purina Layena extra protein with superworms is also excellent, 19%

The Kalmbach Full Plume is what I feed mine.

 

[bgmathteach]

They are thugs and they mob you as soon as they spot you. They want to be first in line for treats. If treats are not being offered they will settle for cuddles. They all like a good crop massage. The two Partridge girls, while they like the crop massage will throw in a peck or two to show their displeasure that I did not come out bearing goodies to eat. It is hoodie season, and they have quickly learned I stash a handful of corn most times in it to treat everyone. George is the worst for trying to bury his head into the pocket to help himself.

Hmmm, if I recall correctly, Eli used to do that for sunflower seeds with @RoyalChick

They know where the treats are and how to get them!