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stumbling self sufficiency in a small space
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11:51 am
1st Grader
New members
Mon 23-Mar-15
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Hi guys as you can see from my name I am new to this, I have gone in to it big time. I have 18 girls, 6 rhode island reds, 6 light sussex and 6 marans, I also have 2 cocks not sure of their breed as of yet as a friend gave the boys to me before she went back to UK. I seem to be getting along ok as far, I have been giving them shop brought feed at moment but will be trying to grow my own. I have also been giving bits from the kitchen which they seem to love, eg left over salad, chips, cat meat and I have also been cooking up rice for them which as soon as its down is gone. My only thing I am not sure of, but I have put down today is apple, I put some down and them seem to love it, but I am ok giving them this, if not I will not be making that mistake again. any advice will be greatly followed.
newchickgirl
5:48 pm
Supreme Being
Wed 30-Dec-09
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Hello Michele, I don't have chickens, but there are plenty on here who do!
I can't see why giving them apple would be a problem - I can remember when I was young, we used to give our chickens potato peelings (among other things!) - surely apple is better than that!
Whereabouts are you, Michele? You mentioned a friend gave you the two boys before she went back to the UK, suggesting you are not in the UK at the moment?
Welcome to the forum - and enjoy your stay.
7:25 pm
Supreme Being
Thu 24-Sep-09
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Hi Michelle and welcome to the Forum.
I only have seven chickens but they are real characters and good layers. I do give mine all sorts of fruit and veg, including apples. I noticed they liked them when at my last house I had apple trees and I gave them some windfall. They also like tomatoes. I also give them rice and pasta, although some one told me recently that although they love rice, it has no nutritional value for them. They love lettuce too. Mine are not loose in the garden so do not have a lot of green matter to eat around them. Boiled potato skins are popular too and of course any kind of bread. This all supplements their mixed grain and layers mash. Mine do not seem to take to the pellets. Not sure they should be having cat food, especially if you give the eggs to other people. I read somewhere they should not have meat. I could be wrong though!
Old teachers never die, they just lose their class
9:06 pm
Supreme Being
New members
Wed 22-Dec-10
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Hi Michelle, I do not have Chickens, but my Gran, had a Poultry Farm, and most things featured on the Menu, but not something like Cat Food. When I was Stationed in Egypt with the Forces, you took your chances with a fried Egg, sometimes it was OK, but other times you cut into it, and Garlic hit you. I leave the rest to your Imagination!
9:24 pm
1st Grader
New members
Mon 23-Mar-15
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hi guys and thank you for the warm welcome, I live in france now, have only been here for about 8/9 weeks but it really feels like home already. ok I will cut out the cat meat, as all 3 of you have advised this, as I say I am new to the game. my girls and boys will be going free range as of next week and I cant wait to see how the girls behave, as they all come from cages and I really want them to have a good life, the boys have always been free range so it wont be so new to them. I am also looking forward to see how my cats react to them, as at the moment they are giving them a widebirth, its funny to see, the female cat would not go outside the house when she heard the cocks. oh well they will have to learn to live with them I guess.
again thank you for advice and I look forward to more chats with everyone.
newchickgirl
11:13 pm
Moderators
Tue 22-Sep-09
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Michele, I edited your posts to remove the 'lols' we don't do them here, but welcome all the same.
I'll try that again!
11:15 pm
1st Grader
New members
Mon 23-Mar-15
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ok sorry, will remember for next time 
11:30 pm
Moderators
Tue 22-Sep-09
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No big deal, it is just that we are all over the age of 30 - 40 and most of us are grammatical pedants. It is good to see you joining in, don't stop now.
I'll try that again!
9:09 am
Supreme Being
New members
Wed 22-Dec-10
Offline
Hi Michelle! The Cats will give the Cockerels a wide Berth, they can give a very nasty Peck, especially when they are 'guarding' their 'Harem' of Girls. Like Geese , they make good Watchdogs. Good on you for giving those Chickens another chance. x Good Luck, in your new Venture. x
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