Too Many Chickens Underfoot – Miller Farm Friday
By Guest Blogger Chicken Wrangler Sara
The chickens that hatched at the end of July are doing fantastic.
In fact, we have sold seven of them including Leo, the late bloomer. They were not too excited about the move, but I trust they have made the adjustment nicely.
Even with seven less chickens, it is still crowded in the coop.They seem to multiply at feeding time.
Rachel switched the birds to fermented feed this summer. Basically you mix chicken feed and water and let it sit until it smells like vinegar. I suppose it functions like yogurt with good bacteria to help the digestive system of the chickens. Anyway, the birds love it, and we have had no illness since switching.
The only issue is that I must put out fresh food every morning.
Sometimes I think the chickens run around the coop burning calories all night because they seem to be starving in the mornings. I put one scoop in a feed bowl and carry a scoop to put into a second bowl.
One morning a little chick jumped right up onto the scoop before I could put it in the bowl.
They have learned to associate my presence with being fed. It is kind of like my children. Even now when they come home from college, they are eager to know what I am fixing for them to eat. The chickens unlike my children run up to me and get right under my feet.
I find myself doing a new kind of “chicken dance” to avoid falling down. I imagine it like an elegant tango but it is more like a rodeo clown.
So far, I have managed to remain upright as I feed the chickens. Another accomplishment to put on my resume.