So Ive had to re-think what I feed my chickens after talking to a few people who feed their chickens something other than layer crumbles in the winter. Layer Crumbles arent too cheap, and as anybody knows a hen will peck and scratch all day for food therefore the more you give them the more they eat. Ive been giving my chickens and 2 ducks cracked corn for about 2 weeks now. Only Cracked corn ( and oyster shells), now before you judge just remember that old timers only ever did give cracked corn if they had it :/ and let their birds free range. In the past 2 weeks I have used only about 1/3 of the feed I normally use, I have filled their feeder up so they can have all they wish. What started my brainstorming is that My Ducks Eat only corn and they are very plump and healthy! :) Plus every time I would feel up the feeder with Layer crumbles they all fight over the food and act as if they are starving! So I bought a bag of Fancy scratch grains as well to help the food stretch longer. Then I fed only Corn after I ran out of the Layer crumbles and scratch grains. So after the past few weeks I have noticed that the chickens all seem happier, :) yes Happier! They arent all hunched and feathers ruffled like they are chilled. I give them hot water everyday in these frigid temperatures. And in the addition to Only corn and O. Shells and a few scraps, I have gotten a few Eggs! WHAT???? Eggs in This kind of cold is unknown for those who wish to know. ( Although they have froze and busted :( I wasnt expecting EGGS!!!! How was I suppose to know that my hen was sitting on a few eggs??? I just thought she liked sitting in the hen box, mine usually sleep in theirs...Idk why?) Unless you use heat lamps, which we do not. Even then your supply of eggs decrease in winter and molting season. So Now Im thinking that the Layer crumbles may be just a supplement for my hens now and then, and that I will be giving them only corn and a few scratch grains from now on.... Its way... Cheaper too. Corn for added warmth in the winter for my chickens, it helps because it takes them a bit longer to digest providing their body fuel in these frigid temps...
Posted on: Tue, 28 Jan 2014 15:34:59 +0000
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