Poultry Care Tips

[cff]

I'm sure I told you a about cost a short while back ...... lol

Yes Oats swell and during the warmer part of the year they stink with the kind of smell that's hard to wash off - but poultry love it.

When you have time do a google search on the benefits of sprouted grains

[mnjrutherford]

Oh yea, you did tell us about the cost! We knew it was gonna take a chunk and we were prepared for it. Still hurts though! Besides, the cost to start up is just one of those things to grin and bare.

Then, as you say, there is the benefits of sprouted grains. I also read where you talk about having some shallow boxes filled with dirt that are seeded out. You put them in the coops with a screen over the top that allows the birdies to eat the greens down to a particular level. Then you put in a fresh box and allow the used box to grow back. The screening keeps them from damaging the root system so the stuff in the box grows right back again. Sounds like a fabulous idea to me! That will also be a great project for Mike and the boys to work on together as well.

Bottom line, it's all about learning curve and for my money, thanks to everyone here, I think we are doing pretty darn well. The guineas are laying eggs like crazy and boy are they tasty! The chickens are a laugh riot. The barred rocks are real bullies though. They may be eliminated from the picture in time. The buff orps strut around like beauty queens on parade. The RIR are so timid it's insane but their coloring is so lovely. Then there are the Amerucaunas which are WAY out numbered and I think they are picked on because of it. We have 2 that are wheaten and 3 that are the dark color. It's far to early to really know how things will all shake out, but the Buff Orps are so fat and juicy even with their feathers on, I'm thinking they will become the Eaten Ones. The Amerucaunas will be the faves just "A cuz".

HOWever... ;D If anyone feels like they just HAVE to run straight out and purchase a grain mill for me.... ::smiles with complete innocence::

[bluelacedredhead]

Apr 3, 2010 14:14:51 GMT -5 mnjrutherford said:

The guineas are laying eggs like crazy and boy are they tasty! The chickens are a laugh riot.

Jo,
Are you going to let the Guinea Hens go broody and hatch their own keets? I believe they only lay for a couple of months in spring, much like heritage breeds of turkeys. At least that's what it says in one of my Game Bird husbandry books. See?

"females usually commence laying in April or May and lay upward of 30 eggs before going broody. If broken up immediately (eggs taken away) they will lay again. "

Raising Turkeys, Ducks, Geese and Game Birds by Morley A. Jull
McGraw Hill Rural Activities Series, Maple Press, York PA, Printed 1947

[mnjrutherford]

We are sure debating it Blue! What we've heard here is that they will lay through about August and then go broody. But that was if they nest outside the "designated" area. We definitely want to have more guineas and I'm thinking that allowing them to hatch a few of their own eggs is certainly the way to go. But with 5 hens, we might end up with guineas out the wazoo! Guineas here there and everywhere! Can you imagine a little guinea head popping up out of the toilet!?!?! Plus, we are still trying to hatch the 12 in a shoebox... ::rolls eyes:: Every morning... "Did you turn the eggs Mom? Can I check the temperature Mom? Why are you spraying them with water Mom?" ::laughing:: If these things actually hatch, I do believe I'll eat my hat! I think the plan is gonna run sort of like this:
Wait until the shoebox eggs are 28 days old (in about 2 1/2 more weeks).
If they hatch, cool. If they don't,
we'll start leaving the eggs in the boxes.
This way, we get to eat some, and some of the newness will wear off as well.

ALSO, I've been wondering... We've been putting vinegar in the food mix and we keep forgetting to put it in the water. If the vinegar is mixed with the food, do we really need it in the water? By the by, the fermented grain REALLY reeks! Holy Cow does it EVER reek! But, you are to right, the birds just love it!

[bluelacedredhead]

If you lived closer Jo, I'd hatch out some eggs for you, or teach you how and loan you an incubator. But alas...It's a long drive.
Good Luck with the hatch. Stranger things have happened.

And IMO, I wouldn't worry about adding the ACV to the water if they are getting it in their mash. You don't want them tooo healthy do you? lol

[mnjrutherford]

Apr 7, 2010 17:22:24 GMT -5 bluelacedredhead said:

If you lived closer Jo, I'd hatch out some eggs for you, or teach you how and loan you an incubator. But alas...It's a long drive.
Good Luck with the hatch. Stranger things have happened.

And IMO, I wouldn't worry about adding the ACV to the water if they are getting it in their mash. You don't want them tooo healthy do you? lol

Yep, your northern climes scare my hubby. I talked to him about moving to Michigan once, he looked at me side long and said, "Don't EVEN try!" I appreciate the offer though! ;D We candled them today and we can see the dark spots. I didn't see the circulatory system developing though. So, still pretty iffy as far as I can tell based on the pictures and stuff I've seen.

Thanks for the ACV advice as well. Before I got the quantities of feed right, I set up WAY to much of the grain to ferment and used the last of it last night. OH MAN! The stink was truly outrageous! Fortunately, I was expecting it to be that way because of the good advice you have all been giving me, so I mixed it outside rather than inside. THAT, was REALLY smart!

[mnjrutherford]

I love how this photo turned out. Is it really mine?



Affirmed: Chickens like cabbage!





You can view the whole album here: trulythankful.typepad.com/photos/2010_garden_photos/dscn1945.html

[mnjrutherford]

I forgot to add this photo! It's the sprouts I'm growing for my birds.

[bluelacedredhead]

They are soooo spoiled. I used to grow veggies for my flock as well. I even managed to snag a bag of the forage seed that Sandhill Preservation sells. I roped off an area in their pasture and planted it. But someone with a lawnmower didn't understand why the area was marked? Cut it down anyway. Oh well...Water under the bridge or Grass under the Mowerblade.

[mnjrutherford]

he... spoiling a chicken is sorta relative since the end result is to make my tummy full of chicken yummy! ;o)

[mnjrutherford]

It's taking a bit longer to get those sprouts to size than I had expected. Still, I am certain my birdies are going to like it. They really seem to enjoy their green things. I'm particularly fascinated by they way they tear into a cabbage. That just blows my itty bitty kitty mind!

[bluelacedredhead]

My turkeys in particular loved cabbage. They systematically ate the tips off of a 50 foot row of Early Jersey wakefield. You might consider raising a few EJW for your Chickies too.

[mnjrutherford]

Cabbages don't grow to well for me YET! I'm still trying and yea, I'm inspired for my chickies. I ALSO read somewhere (don't ask where, I'm not sure and I kinda think it was here) that throwing a mangel (sugar beet) on a nail for them during the winter is a good thing to do. That was why I was looking for sugar beet seed earlier. I got to varieties from Martin and I'll be planting them today while the guys go fishing.

[mnjrutherford]

Latest issue: HATCHING KEETS! How long does it take for the hatching to be completed? Mum is next to our front steps, well shaded under lots of greenery. We've left her alone the entire time and shooed unwelcome visitors away. (the neighbors pekineses yappy dog)

The eggs have begun to hatch as of this morning. Maybe 2 or 3? Hard to tell without getting into the middle of the thatch and I don't want to try that unless it would be prudent to do so for the keets sake. We've got the brooder all ready for them.

Should we take them as we see them hatched, one at a time? Or should we wait until they are all hatched and get them all at one time? If we should take them all at one time, how long should we wait?

[johno]

I love this thread.

I made a bottomless box with 1" X 1/2" wire for the 'roof' and put it in the enclosed chicken yard. It was planted with peas, oats, and mustard the first time. Now all that's left is weeds, so I prepared a new bed next to it, planted with an assortment of legumes and brassicas, oats, and even garlic chives, and moved the box over. If it stays wet a while longer, most everything should sprout. The birds stand on top and eat their greens.