I was curious about this also and found this Quote in Wikipedia: "In the U.S. in 2011, the average feed conversion efficiency of a broiler was 1.91 pounds of feed per pound of liveweight. In 1925 the figure was 4.70". So, If you are growing them to 5lbs you would use 9.55lbs.
I have been thinking about doing this. The cost has put me off but I can do it a bit at a time. That is how I do everything. I wonder why this did not occur to me? Getting old. Thanks for helping me see past my own nose.
A capon would definitely not fertilize the eggs. Some, maybe many, lose the ability to crow. They also become docile so any advantage protecting the flock from predators goes away also. Finally, the process of caponizing is surgery. Some roos do not make it. Survival depends on the skill of the...
Ron C., made some great points. I am learning and this forum has been so helpful. While we cannot foil the twists and turns of nature we can be prepared and have resources to fall back on. This forum is where I learn and where I come when in trouble.
I am sure you will do well. You are asking...
About temperature. When my chicks were a week old I saw a neighbors chicken wandering around with her chicks. They were 3 days old and it was 75 degrees out. After reading all of the books I asked myself: "what is wrong with this picture"? My chicks were in a 90 degree room! So I realized that...
I got my first chicks 8 weeks ago. I set up a bunch of boxes to make a pretty large circle. I had 12 chicks and I made the circle about 6 feet from side to side. I used a 250 watt red light. I used red because the color makes it easier for them to sleep at night. Do not rely on the clam on the...
Mine didn't like strawberries or yogurt but they loved almost every other kind of fruit and veggie. They recently devoured some watermelon. And they go nuts when I go for the mealworm container.
My 2 Barred Rocks love sitting on the feeder and water. They have a great personality. They all go out to the coop next week. They will be 8 weeks and I will be finished building the coop.
I used a 250 degree. I was doing it by the book for the first week and then I saw my neighbor's hen with her brood following on a 75 degree day. They were 5 days old and doing fine. But I realized that if they started to get cold Mom would call them and they would go back to the nest and she...
I got 12 chicks from Texas (I am in Maine) and they all made it just fine in June. I let my letter carrier know that I was expecting chickens and she told me where to go to get them. It was actually not the Post Office I thought it was going to be. I also had the option of having them delivered...
Sounds like you are doing a good job so far. Just keep doing what you are doing. My 12 are 7 weeks old and most are OK with being picked up. 3 really don't like it. 2 prefer that you don't but they are coming around. A couple actually want to be picked up! When we give them treats we pat them to...
I have a friend who got his chicks around the same time as I did. He used sawdust and I used shavings. He needed to constantly clean. I have cleaned exactly zero times. I add some shavings every few days. Some shavings get in the food and water and are easily removed. With sawdust it makes the...
I built a small roost and put it in the brooder when they were 2 weeks old. They are now 6 weeks and some use it at night but they alternate with sleeping on the ground and in a bunch with the others. Most of them spend some time on it during the day. The string in the picture is for hanging a...