Backyard Chickens (and Other Birds)
[Were you a mod of backyard chickens on Reddit? Message me if you're interested in modding here.]
This is a community for people who keep chickens in their back yard. This includes pets, layers, and meaties at levels that are sub-industrial. Family farms and homesteads are included.
EDIT
The Fediverse is small. There probably aren't enough people here to make up a community for every type of bird that someone might keep so for now, everyone is welcome. Bring us your ducks and geese, turkeys and quail, Guineas and Peacocks, emus and parrots. The community will be focused on chickens but until there are enough of each bird community for their own community they will find care and comfort here.
/EDIT
There may be discussions of animal processing. This is part of chicken keeping. If you don't like it leave and block the community.
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RULES:
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All Lemmy.ca rules apply here.
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Everyone (see rules 4 and 98) is welcome.
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If you've seen a question 100 times answer it the 101st time or ignore it. Even better, write a complete, detailed answer and suggest that the mod(s) pin it to the community.
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There will be ZERO tolerance for shaming, brigading, harassment, or other nonsense of those who keep and process chickens. You will be permanently banned the first time.
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No, it's not a calcium deficiency. Wrinkled eggs are the result of insufficient or insufficiently viscous albumen. Tiny eggs and missing shells are misfires. They happen.
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If you post a picture that includes a dead animal or blood mark it NSFW. We're not going to tolerate the militant anti-hunting and anti-farming bullshit here but we're also not going to tolerate people rubbing their hunting and harvesting in people's faces. See rule 98. If you post blood, gore, or dead animals and don't mark it NSFW it will be removed and you might be banned.
[Did you actually think there were 98 rules?]
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If you present something as fact and are asked to provide proof or a source provide proof or a source. Proof must be from a reliable source. If you fail to provide proof or a source your post or comment may be removed.
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Don't be a dick. Yes, this is a catch-all rule.
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The mod(s) have the final say.
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Thanks, I think this is what I was expecting but I wasn't sure if there was a risk of causing some kind of digestive problem. I read about packed up / hard gizzards and all kinds of diseases before getting my hens and I am a bit of a worrier.
I wouldn't be too worried. I mean depending on the size of your birds, they should be eating about 100g a day. If the kid is supplying that amount of feed, then having asked the parents he'll hopefully have trouble sourcing the feed going forward.
How do you feed your birds? Suppose you keep the intended feed in the coup, then waiting an hour longer before letting the birds out should see them eat more of the egg laying feed before they're allowed to eat the seeds. If that's not an option, and malnutrition is a serious concern, then add some vitamins to the feed or seed mounds.
Come to think of it, why not hand the kid a small bag of the feed and let him lop a handful over the fence daily? I mean there's no need to discourage the kids interest in live stock, and educating him on best practices, could maybe see you having a babysitter next door, when you need to go out of town someday.
I can keep them in a little longer to get them to eat their feed, but I do enjoy letting them out while I have a coffee and watching them scratching about. It's a good idea for me to keep in mind if I need it.
I have the same thoughts as your last paragraph, I do want to get him involved and try to educate him but I need to get the parents on the same page. I showed him their daily portion to give him an idea of how much they need and said to throw this cup of feed over tomorrow instead of the seeds. He threw it over about 30 minutes later.
If there is no immediate risk then I can afford a little more patience, I want to be as accommodating as possible.