A Bielefelder Thread !

[DesertChic]

I'll be purchasing Bielefelder eggs from a nearby breeder in a couple weeks and was wondering...do Biels require any changes in "typical" feed? For example, higher protein content since they're a larger bird? Or has anyone experimented at all with changing their feed?

I only ask because I just hatched eleven Naked Neck Turkens and one of the breeders I'd purchased eggs from recommended supplementing with game bird feed (26% protein) up to 4 weeks of age and keeping their protein intake no lower than 18% even in adulthood to support their heftier frames and muscular bodies.

 

[RFR of CA]

My little ones are on 21% crumble and doing fine. My adults eat 16% layer like everyone else. They are not as heavy as my english orpingtons, but they are big birds.

PS: To previous poster: laying between a long fall molt and winter it has been almost zero. Now that molt is over, I decided to put an extra 5 hrs of light on them and I am starting to get eggs again. I have seven hens and get 4 or so daily, but it is only January. They are extra large eggs and seem about the same size as when they were pullets. This is their second season. They are almost one now.

Christine

Rare Feathers Ranch

 

[jbkirk]

My little ones are on 21% crumble and doing fine. My adults eat 16% layer like everyone else. They are not as heavy as my english orpingtons, but they are big birds.

PS: To previous poster: laying between a long fall molt and winter it has been almost zero. Now that molt is over, I decided to put an extra 5 hrs of light on them and I am starting to get eggs again. I have seven hens and get 4 or so daily, but it is only January. They are extra large eggs and seem about the same size as when they were pullets. This is their second season. They are almost one now.

Christine

Rare Feathers Ranch

So this is their second laying winter? Thanks MK

PS the reason I've been asking all these Questions is because I'm considering getting some

 

[RFR of CA]

No they were hatched 2/14. 1st season was last summer. This is now the start of their second. Got 5 eggs today from my 7 which is about typical right now.

 

[jbkirk]

No they were hatched 2/14. 1st season was last summer. This is now the start of their second. Got 5 eggs today from my 7 which is about typical right now.

So they really are the chicken their supposed to be!!!!

 

[Ron Skekel]

So they really are the chicken their supposed to be!!!!

I love mine. They are sweet and doscle.No agressive roosters here. Plus their gorgous!!!! Pam

 

[DesertChic]

I love mine. They are sweet and doscle.No agressive roosters here. Plus their gorgous!!!! Pam

Absolutely beautiful! And that hen looks huge!!!
I'm going up to Scottsdale in a couple weekends to get a dozen fertile Biel hatching eggs. I can't wait to have a flock of these guys after everything I've read! Biels and NN Turkens will be my two focus breeds for eggs and meat.

 

[jbkirk]

I love mine. They are sweet and doscle.No agressive roosters here. Plus their gorgous!!!! Pam

So how many eggs do yours lay average in a week?

 

[ChinoChix]

I am so excited about this breed. I have some 3 weeks old hens that I hatched and 5 more hatched overnight, only one roo in the bunch! They are such pretty birds.



That's a little Serama with them.

 

[Ron Skekel]

Absolutely beautiful! And that hen looks huge!!!
I'm going up to Scottsdale in a couple weekends to get a dozen fertile Biel hatching eggs. I can't wait to have a flock of these guys after everything I've read! Biels and NN Turkens will be my two focus breeds for eggs and meat. 

You will love them. I have only hatched my eggs so far. Pam