Recent content by bmvf

  1. bmvf

    BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

    Last night we've had a huge storm roll through with maybe 70+ mph winds. In 2011 Hurricane Irene rolled through and in 2012 the eye of a weakened Hurricane Sandy passed within miles of the farm. So I've seen wind, but not like last night. A roof of one of my sheds blew 300 yards to the north...
  2. bmvf

    BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

    I annoy myself when I talk about feeding my chickens more economically but don't. However, I've gotten very good at feeding my cows economically when I graze them in my pastures. There is a big difference in income between the two! With so few birds, it's tough to justify extra work...
  3. bmvf

    BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

    I like this part of your post and appreciate your position. I would use the term break even instead of making a profit. I feel that break even should include the actual cost for replacements and 'facilities' since they may have come out of pocket. I would worry about labor if I were in the...
  4. bmvf

    BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

    A few updates: My last hatch which ended two weeks ago was much better than the hatches before, but not where I want to be. I had 22 out of 41 eggs hatch with 2 others not making it out of the shell. The Brinsea thermometer helped a lot although I only got it a few day after starting...
  5. bmvf

    BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

    My Brinsea thermometer comes today! Right now I'm holding steady at 100.5 which is a degree warmer than my other hatches. Still having problems keeping humidity up with my incubator in the new room. My 4 Delawares laid 6 eggs the past two days. This is after finding eggs for the first...
  6. bmvf

    BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

  7. bmvf

    BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

  8. bmvf

    BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

    I think the topic of thermometer's has been discussed here but I can't find the discussion. I'm looking to start another hatch today and was warming up my incubator and decided to check my thermometer. I artificial inseminate my dairy cows and had a card thermometer that is used in the water...
  9. bmvf

    BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

    There is another cockerel at my buddies farm. I sent him along when I moved the rainbow layer assortment. Maybe I'll ask to get him back if he's around. His wife didn't care to be woken up at 4AM... The Delaware pullets were culled from 8 to 4. I only kept one male. The pullet culling was...
  10. bmvf

    Ended Contest #15 Guess How Many Eggs Will HATCH! - 6th Annual BYC Easter Hatchalong

    5650
  11. bmvf

    BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

    My thoughts are that I would be able to cull the hens giving small eggs and those with blood spots although it's been a couple weeks since we've gotten blood spots. As far as quantity during those 2 weeks; I assumed that the change would knock them back, I assumed that some would and some...
  12. bmvf

    BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

    As I breed brothers and sisters to eat other, questions start to rise regarding proper breeding. I'm sure it has been covered here before, but could someone give a clear, concise outline of possible breeding directions using the same origin of genetics. My goals are much more production than...
  13. bmvf

    BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

    Today I got a commercial style layer cage. I had a buddy that had a couple 10 foot sections laying in his barn for years. I figured I'd take one and use it to hold a rooster or a couple birds if needed. Then an idea popped into my head, instead of trap nesting, which I do not have time to...
  14. bmvf

    BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

    My PCV chicken tractor I posted before didn't mind the wind. It's light enough to pull around by dragging. It didn't budge in winds because I think it's low enough that the wind can't get under it. I have the closed off end to the north and your looking at the west end. Unless it's a...
  15. bmvf

    BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

    Thanks @bnjrob and @RedRidge for the pics. I have PVC to make another A-frame tractor but do not have the chicken wire. I've considered making the Joel Salatin style chicken tractors but I'm not sure how they'll work with layers.
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