Recent content by homesteadapps

We feed mostly whole grains now with alfalfa as the protein concentrate; when needed we grind our own now, but when we have it ground there was a modest mixing fee plus the cost of the ingredients. I really doubt the mill would laugh since they have a charge for mixing. Never hurts to ask...

Mash can be fed wet or as is. You can always ask the mill to grind the mix differently. Maybe they can mix it larger or crack the grains. Maybe add a little molasses to bind the ingredients. Most mills will grind the feed the way you prefer it.

Steaming the duck at a minimum of 15 minutes before frying will help to render out the fat. Slicing the skin, especially breast skin before steaming will help it to release the fat.

I've seen toe punching as one the more reliable method of keeping track of parents. This like a tattoo on a rabbit will be permanent. Paper or computer records are always good as long as you have a more permanent numbered band such as a metal band, but there are methods described below. They...

They will eat whole field corn just fine. They will also pick it off the cob.

Some of it depends on the breed but for pure egg layers figure 5-6 ounces of feed per day for egg layers.

18 months for maximum productivity -- comet/red star type of chicken. I had viewed a chart recently that clearly shows how production begins to decline after 18 months. You won't really notice too much unless your keeping records. With that said, they will still lay for several years, but with...

Alfalfa pellets may be nice if storage space is limited, but good hay fresh from the field just seems better, to me. Better value too at $3.75 per 60 pound bale then I'm guessing at least $12.00 for a 50 pound bag??? Nice thing about actual hay is the animals: goats, chickens, rabbits can...

Clover and alfalfa leaves are a great source of protein. We save the leaves and soak them in water to make a mash and mix them with grain, etc. Seems like they eat more like this. If you buy hay from a store then you are paying a premium price for the hay. If you see any farms with cattle or...

Fred's Hens : Let's use the price of corn as an index. $8 a bushel or 56 lbs. Soybeans $13 a bushel or 60 lbs. Add a mineral and vitamin pak and you have a good idea what the raw materials are for a hundred pounds of non-organic feed. If you are close to the source or local corn/soybeans...

It depends on the breed and the quality of the breeding stock. Hybrid meat birds such as Cornish X are 6 to 8 weeks, but dual purpose breeds take longer. For instance, our Buckeyes can dress out at 3.5 to 4 pounds at 18 weeks, but our show stock White Rocks need 2 to 3 weeks more to achieve the...

Mixing alfalfa & clover leaves with water make it damp and easier for them to eat. If you mix it with corn, etc they will eat more of it. Alfalfa leaves can be in the high 30's in protein, clover just a little less. I have also seen it suggested to boil the stems hay, etc to get it softer --...

This link displays how to do a simple variable cost analysis. Plug in the actual numbers for your area. If you want to add other things in feel free but this is shows how to compare the apples to apples when comparing Cornish X to Dual Purpose Breeds...

As a side note to the comments above. I'd recommend breeder stock especially with the rocks since they normally are a little larger then the hatchery stock. You can find these at poultry shows -- just google APA shows with your state. Another good chicken for meat is the Buckeye.

If you are trying to save freezer space a simple method is to: Cut off wings whole -- freeze a a dozen or two together. Split thighs and debone -- basically one cut at the starting at the leg and coming up through the thigh, then cutting meat loose along the initial slice to the bone...