Who on LRH has Laying Chickens ???

[bigbuck]

This subject is a little different than rifle talk but I figured some of you country boys might raise your own eggs . I purchased 5 hens and one rooster from a guy that I used to work with . I got up today and had 3 eggs then I checked them this evening and I had one egg so I am 4 out of five as of today
What kind of feed do you feed your chickens ? I use layen pellets . I dont no much about them but it has been exciting thus far. My kids love em.

Anything I need to know ? Fire awaygun)

 

[D.ID]

I do not know anything about "layen pellets" but four outa five is great, we feed ours a generic D&B scratch and pull 6-8 from a dozen hens.

 

[bigbuck]

I do not know anything about "layen pellets" but four outa five is great, we feed ours a generic D&B scratch and pull 6-8 from a dozen hens.

Is D&B like cracked corn mixed with something ? I may check and see if I can get it. I would like to get the cleanest feed that I can . Example no hormones or steroids. What would be the healthiest feed availible ?
Thanks for the reply.

 

[Scot E]

Have 30 layers.

Some folks don't know this but you don't need a rooster to get eggs so if he gets to be too much of a pain, enjoy some chicken soup!

I use laying pellets or crumbles. I like the pellets better because I think there is less waste. Try to find a food company locally that sells all natural feed. It is much better for them and better tasting and better for us when they don't have all the antibiotics in the food like most places, D&B included, has.

Hens need a certain amount of light to lay so a light on in the hen house to get you 15+ hours will get you maximum laying. I usually run a light until summer then let them naturally slow down in the fall until they molt then I start with the light again and get them laying.

Fresh water, lots of ventilation and some natural food will get you going!

Scot E.

 

[sjc]

Hi:
I have been feeding my chickens the Purina layer crumbles or the Tractor Supply layer crumbles (16% protein). I tried the pellets once but the chickens did not care for the pellets. When they are laying I also give them a grounded oyster supplement. This is just added calcium to their diet. My chickens are totally free range so they are eating items that are not found in the crumbles feed. They love just about any insect. I even had one take down a vole. The chickens I have now are going into their second year and are strong layers. They lay right through the winter but the production is lower then, it picks up as the days get longer. Many people kill their chickens at around 18 months and get a new flock because they feel that production goes down. It may go down on birds that are kept in a coop all the time but I have had birds that are still going strong at 3 or 4 years. I feel that being free range may contribute to being strong producers.
I add chickens to my flock every two years or so. I do lose some birds to predation (bobcat and foxes) but as least they went out happy doing what a chicken likes to do, going all over the place scratching up a storm. By having them free range I do not use a lot of feed during the year. Also, I don't have any problems with the health of my birds.
If you keep them through their molt (usually 12 to 16 months of age) you may have a bird or two that begins to walk around like she is drunk. When they molt their protein requirement is very high as they produce new feathers. Give them cheap hamburger and they will do fine in a day or two.

 

[rooster740]

I think things are pretty well covered here and nobody will tell you the same thing. We keep 12-20 hens and sometimes I get tricked into feeding a noise maker!(rooster) we feed bulk rolled or cracked corn that we buy a ton at a time, and hay. They make great garbage disposals, they go after table scraps like kids hunting candy at the parade! There is so much info on the google that you could read for a year!
Have fun!

 

[bigbuck]

Thanks guys . I am amazed at how much water they can drink. Thay are laying so many eggs I am already giving what I cannot eat to family . It is almost like hunting easter eggs . I enjoy walking down to the chicken coup to see how many we have.

Thanks for all of the advice........

 

[Varmint Hunter]

My brother has 6 laying hens. He has no roosters because they aren't necessary and don't lay eggs.

He feeds them food scrapes, mostly vegetative, which are donated by friends and family. I'm told that chickens readily consume anything except citrus. Crushed egg shells are good for chickens too but don't give them un-crushed shells or they will lean to consume their own eggs.

Supplementing table scrapes with a small amount of laying pellets seems to do the trick. They are allowed to browse around the year to eat bugs, weeds etc.