Looey's Layers

28/11/2023

28/09/2023

🤣 🤣

15/08/2023

🤣

14/07/2023

PELLETS OR MASH?
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

Commercially formulated feed is developed to maximize nutritional benefit based on a flock’s age, beginning with their chick starter, then moving up to grower, and then layer. Aside from different formulas for different age groups, commercial rations come in four basic forms: whole grain, mash, pellets, and crumbles.

WHOLE GRAINS
Whole grains are a mixture of unprocessed grains, commonly including corn, barley, wheat, rye, sorghum, field peas, and sunflower seeds. It is usually called a scratch mix. Although it stays fresh longer than processed feed, it is not a nutritionally-complete feed because it does not include all the protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals chickens need. It is typically fed to mature chickens in limited amounts as a treat, or as a winter supplement to help chickens generate warmth. Sometimes some or all of the grains are cracked to make them to eat.

MASH
Mash consists of crushed whole grains mixed with protein meal, vitamins and minerals to create a nutritionally complete feed. It may be formulated as a starter feed that’s easy for chicks to eat, or as a layer feed. It is less commonly available from farm store chains than from local mills that lack the necessary equipment to extrude pellets. Depending on the source, the mash is ground to varying degrees of coarseness, but individual pieces still remain recognizable enough for chickens to pick out only what they like. Often what’s left behind is a fine powder that chickens will waste. This residue often contains much of the supplemental nutrients, which you could encourage them to eat by moistening the powder with a little warm water.

PELLETS
Pellets consist of mash that has been heated and compressed into a long, thin tubular shape, then cut into small pieces. Each pellet has an identical nutritional value, ensuring the chickens get a complete diet because they can’t pick and choose, as they can with mash. Unlike mash, pellets dropped on the ground around the feeding stations may be picked up and eaten. Depending on brand, pellets come in different sizes. The smaller size pellets may be useful for bantams and young chickens as its easier for them to eat than the larger pellets

06/07/2023

This diagram shows how you can test a raw egg for freshness.

23/06/2023

For all you guys wanting to learn how to ferment your Chook food. The chooks will get a tonne more goodness out of it this way and egg production should pick up.

🐔 🐔 will love it!

20/06/2023

HeHeHe.
This is ME!

14/06/2023

How cool is this! Definitely unique! 😂

25/05/2023

HAVE YOU WONDERED WHY YOUR CHOOKS DONT PERFORM AS WELL OVER WINTER?

Chickens' feathers constitute about 7% of the birds weight and
are approximately 85% protein.

Egg white protein is greater than 10 grams per 100g so 10%.
Egg yolk protein level is greater than 16 grams per 100 grams so 16%.

Did you know: their dietary intake can increase by between 25% - 50% over Winter 🥶

Getting No eggs? Try feeding your chickens lavishly.
Protein, protein, protein is the key.
Live mealworms are approximately 20% protein. Also try fish oil, sardines, meat scraps.

13/05/2023

Some of the most asked and questions answered about the Hyline Chicken!

Are Hyline Chickens the right chickens for you? They are some of the world’s best laying chickens. They produce big brown eggs, but also have a beautiful nature.

Hyline Brown Chickens are perfect if you have children or are wanting to keep chickens at a school or daycare. Their temperament is great for kids as they are generally happy to be cuddled, handled and played with. Especially if they know you have food for them!

They consume a lot of food waste, eat bugs and other annoying garden critters and will sometimes give you enough eggs to supply family or neighbors as well.

What Are Hyline Brown Chickens?

Hyline Brown Chickens are one of the top egg-laying chicken breeds in the world. They have a friendly, gentle temperament and are suited to free-range or backyard chicken keepers.

They are usually sold as Hyline Brown Pullets at a point Of Lay. This means they are young female chickens nearly ready to lay their first egg.

Their egg production is best in the first two years. They will lay beautiful, nice size eggs, with hard brown shells. After this their productivity can decrease, but can still be good layers after many years.

Are There Other Types Of Hyline Chickens?

Yes, you might have heard of Isa Brown Chickens? Or Bonds, Brown or Gingerham. Hy-line is a hybrid breed of chicken with many different names. Isa Brown is a brand, like Toyota or Mitsubishi.

Are Hyline Brown Chickens OK with children ?

Yes, they have a placid, friendly temperament. With frequent handling and interaction they can be great, friendly pets.

Are Hyline Chickens Good Layers?

Yes they are! Hyline Brown Chickens produce so many eggs in their first two years. It’s almost hard to keep up with them sometimes. After this their egg production starts to reduce a little.

In a commercial environment they might stop laying after a few years but in a backyard environment they might even still lay an egg a day at five years old. Happy Chooks Lay More Eggs!

When Do Hyline Brown Chickens Start To Lay?

Point Of Lay Hyline Chickens are generally laying at around 18-22 weeks. Depending on the temperature and their environment they might take a little longer to settle in and start laying. When they do, their laying productivity will peak from 1-2 years old.

It’s also a good idea to get your chickens a little earlier and let them settle into their home before they are at Laying. Just don’t get disappointed that you don’t get eggs straight away!

How Long Do Hyline Chickens Lay For?

There is a lot of people that say they only lay for a few years. If your chickens are happy and healthy they can continue to lay for their life span. They might just lay less frequently or their shells might become a bit brittle.

If your hen does stop laying don’t stress. She’s probably been well deserving of a rest and able to enjoy some nice food scraps without the hard slog of producing eggs.

Do Hyline Chickens Lay Brown Eggs?

The color of Hyline Chicken eggs varies from light beige to dark brown. Your chicken’s diet can affect the color of the eggs. It doesn’t matter though. Light or dark, they will always be delicious and full of protein.

Are Hyline Chickens Noisy?

No they are not noisy. They sing in the mornings sometime when they are laying their eggs but it’s a nice sound. I wouldn’t class it as noisy or annoying.

They are definitely quiet enough for a residential backyard without having any neighbors complaining.

What Do Hyline Chickens Eat?

Given their high egg production, Hyline Chickens need a high protein diet. We feed ours a mixed grain layer mash (available from here), in addition to leafy greens, fruit and veg scraps and they also get to free range on grubs and bugs.

They aren’t fussy, they’ll eat most scraps. Always ensure there’s fresh, clean water available to them.

Chickens also love any seafood scraps. It makes their egg shells nice and hard and produces rich, dark yolks.

How Big Are Hyline Chicken Eggs?

They produce a large to extra-large egg. Their eggs start a bit smaller until they are about 1.5-2 years old.

After this, one – two eggs is a perfect serve! And very rich in protein and other nutrients. Makes for an easy, nutritious breakfast!

Can Chickens Eat Meat?

Yes they can, a balance of any meat scraps of greens, fruit and vegetable scraps is good for them.

Did you know chickens can even eat chicken? It won’t harm them and you will be boosting the protein in their diet.

Can Chickens Eat Fruits?

Yes they can, and love stone fruits. There are nutritional benefits to them eating fruits and it does them no harm as part of a balanced diet.

On a hot day who wouldn’t want to cool down with a juicy mango, or a piece of watermelon.

Is A Hyline Brown Chicken The Same As An Isa Brown Chicken?

You might’ve heard the term Isa Brown a million times and not “Hyline Brown”. Isa Brown is a type of hyline brown chicken. They are the same or similar as other hyline types. ISA Brown stands for “Institute de Selectione Animale” and is a french company that bred the chickens as battery hens for high production egg-laying back in the late 1970’s..

So to put it simply, Isa Browns are like the brand and Hyline brown is the product. Like Westinghouse is for fridges.

Why Do Hyline Brown Chickens Stop Laying Eggs?

There are a number of reasons.

Old age
Sickness or disease
Temperature changes (too cold or too hot)
Introducing new chickens to the flock (they need to settle in and find their pecking order).
Nutrition
Molting
All of these reasons are natural and normal in affecting egg production.

If it’s old age, just let them rest and live their best life around your garden. They’ve done their job.

What to do if your chickens is laying soft eggs.

If your chickens are laying soft eggs it is most likely due to needing more calcium in their diet. Laying hens need more calcium than other chickens due to their high egg production.

Sometimes calcium-deficient hens will even lay an egg with no shell!

Some ways to add more calcium into your chickens diet are:

Calcium supplements to their feed (grit included).
Add your chicken eggshells back to your chicken scraps. Add crushed oyster shells to your chicken feed.

How Long Can Chickens Live?

This can be up to 7 years. Chickens however can be easily influenced by changes to their environment. There is stress, changes in nutrition and weather. These can all impact a chicken’s life span.

High egg production can also wear a hen out. Prolapse or excessive production can shorten their life span.

Happy and well-nourished backyard chickens can live for many years.

If you lose any and are going to introduce new chickens to your others be prepared for a settling in period. They might bully and peck at each other until they sort out their hierarchy. This generally doesn’t last long.

11/04/2023

06/03/2023

Top up now to get your egg supply all through Winter!

I’ll be through Gisborne, Kyneton, Marong, and Bendigo today. Let me know if you need any 🐔. 21 weeks and ready to lay! 🍳 🍳

14/01/2023

This is funny and cute!

https://www.facebook.com/reel/837547133995891

12/01/2023

Anyone due for a new handbag? These are so cool 😎 🤣

12/01/2023

While we are looking for any excuse to stay inside out of the heat let’s see who can get the least points?!
Can you beat my 3?
So it’s 1 point for each you havnt done