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Lemlanluce
Joined: 29 Mar 2008
Posts: 17
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 Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 7:07 pm Post subject: |
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ah, a Cockrel Whisperer!
I think we will just have to wait and see.
What about in terms of nutrition- will chooks need to be fed morning and evening even after they've figured out the stable is home? |
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Kitsune
Joined: 13 Mar 2008
Posts: 1331
Location: Manchester
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| Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 8:13 pm Post subject: |
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| Most people leave food out in a hopper type feeder so the chickens can eat as much as they like - it's only the fast growing meat birds that you need to worry about excessive eating with. |
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vanessa
Joined: 24 Sep 2005
Posts: 1235
Location: Correze
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| Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 12:42 pm Post subject: |
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| I feed mine only twice a day ... but they free-range over a large area (officially 2.5 acres, but they hop over the fence to double their ranging area!!). |
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mojo
Joined: 13 Apr 2005
Posts: 10482
Location: GLENAY north deux sevre FRANCE
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| Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 4:05 pm Post subject: |
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| feeding pellets gives a allround diet all else is a bonus so most people feed pellets adlib even if they freerange their stock as seasonal variations mean some times extra food is short supply..........on the other hand some folks just feed theirs on corn others just freerange them..........you choose which you think is best for YOUR stock...me? pellets adlib and all else is a bonus |
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layla
Joined: 26 Oct 2007
Posts: 532
Location: West Midlands
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| Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 7:12 pm Post subject: |
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Me too......i'm with MOJO  |
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minstrelmerrymaker
Joined: 08 Mar 2008
Posts: 227
Location: ISLE OF WIGHT
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| Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 8:34 pm Post subject: |
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i raised my first chicks in a stable, i just used the old bedding ..dust extracted sawdust, that the horses had used in the winter. our chicks were 2 weeks old and we popped a rabbit hutch in one of the corners so that they could all go into initially,kept them in there for 2 months until the weather was good enough for them to go out in,
it turned out we had 2 cockerals who now quite happily sleep in an old wendy house together with 4 other hens and they freerange through the day come rain or shine and share the 25 ex batts between them so there is no rivalry
Also they were given enforced cuddles from day one so that they know who is at the top of the pecking order, they now tolerate anything i do with them or their girls!
we keep layers pellets in the stables at all times and they free range over several acres and help themselves to food when they feel like it! |
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Lemlanluce
Joined: 29 Mar 2008
Posts: 17
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| Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 7:59 pm Post subject: |
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Perfect info. We are waiting for this cold snap to pass this weekend then chooks will be out in the stable. They are loving scratching around in the garden under supervision at the moment.
Are so many of you in France because there's no room for chickens in the UK? We have thought of doing the same.
Another question- does one intervene with chicks/pullets/chickens squareing up to and/or pecking onanother, or do you just let nature take its course? |
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vanessa
Joined: 24 Sep 2005
Posts: 1235
Location: Correze
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| Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 8:16 pm Post subject: |
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| mojo wrote: | | feeding pellets gives a allround diet all else is a bonus so most people feed pellets adlib even if they freerange their stock as seasonal variations mean some times extra food is short supply..........on the other hand some folks just feed theirs on corn others just freerange them..........you choose which you think is best for YOUR stock...me? pellets adlib and all else is a bonus |
I don't feed pellets for many reasons. Firstly, I like to know my chooks aren't eating any soya (not a big fan of soya, me ). Secondly the price. Thirdly the wasteage, as my chooks tend to spray the food all over the place when eating from a feeder, and what's left on the ground goes to waste. Fourthly I feel "real" grain is closer to their natural diet.
Horses for courses - but I get a very good supply of excellent eggs; rich tasty yolks and good strong shells.
I'm the first to say though, that confined birds will need more than grain alone can give them. |
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Dragonfly
Joined: 07 Apr 2008
Posts: 2
Location: Wiltshire (south)
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| Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 9:41 pm Post subject: |
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I`m putting in my tuppenceworth in for the first time here,  as I totally agree with Vanessa. I have to, my hens (mostly sussex orpington mongrels+ couple marans) refuse to consume pellets, also I dont really know how much grit I`m paying for in those pellets! I sprout the wheat as well, I didn`t think they would eat it, but it is cleared up straightaway. They love cat biscuits too, the complete ones, even the cheapest have quite high protein which cats need,so good for hen treats too. |
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Debbie
Joined: 31 Mar 2008
Posts: 105
Location: Moncoutant
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| Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:56 pm Post subject: |
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| According to my kids, French cockerels say 'kikerikoo'. Well done on your successful hatchings. How exciting! |
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vanessa
Joined: 24 Sep 2005
Posts: 1235
Location: Correze
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| Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 11:28 am Post subject: |
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Debbie, you're right!  In fact, if you listen carefully, some coqs do miss out a syllable, so Kikerikoo is closer for them than Cockadoodledoo! |
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