Are these African goslings?

[Starfire669]

Hatcheries are just as bad as backyard breeders!

Hatcheries are both good and bad, unfortunately. They are good in the sense that you can get birds that may not have a breeder close to you. They are bad in that they are about numbers, not quality. However, I wanted to get chickens, ducks, and geese because we had them when I was a child and I want to enjoy a simpler life as well as teach my kids about more than video games. We have 26 chickens, 8 geese, and 7 ducks. Many of the breeds are not produced locally, and the cost of quality lines would have prevented us from getting started. That being said, I culled all the cockerels we got and brought in a show line rooster for my pullets. I did this to open up the genetics and to increase size in my flock. My flock is for meat and egg production, not showing. But the cost of a good rooster to try and correct some of my flocks issues was worth it. I intend to keep up breeding my flock. And intent to do the same with my ducks and geese when I find good males. It's not the best answer, but is within our budget and is how we personally will deal with the issues we have.

 

[Speceider]

Starfire, that's an approach I wish more breeders would use. Good luck!

Clint

 

[Starfire669]

Starfire, that's an approach I wish more breeders would use. Good luck!

Clint

Thanks
The plan is to hatch next year, cull all cockerels for the table, keep and band the better pullets. After a few years, the current roosters will be culled and replaced with new quality outside Roos and repeat the process. I have mixed chickens, so my flock will be mutts, but from a genetics standpoint, that is probably best for me. I am focusing on size and egg production, not breeding to SOP. Maybe one day I will pick 1 breed and do that, but for now I am happy with my mixed flock. I have RIRs, BRs, BOs, BAs, SLW. I am going to leave off the SLWs and RIRs as I just don't like things about them and go with BRs, BOs, and BAs for my flock. The geese I am sticking with Africans and Chinese, and will bring in hatching eggs next season for new blood and cull heavily. My ducks will be Cayugas, and most likely have to order from other hatcheries if I can't find good stock within a reasonable distance. If I order through other hatcheries I will get some from 2 or 3 hatcheries that don't do business together to try and get Un-related lines.

That's the plan anyways, let's see what life throws in the mix, lol.

 

[livininbrazil]

Years ago my vet recommended feeding one of my pups tinned cat food. she did fine. Clint, you put on some very informative posts.

I´m finding this a very interesting thread. And amusing.

And horse-and-boots, a number of us have already told you on another thread that some places simply do not supply waterfowl feed, so we have to make do. Although, ideally, for geese, their natural feed would be just grass etc. anyway.

Right, back to the thread....

 

[horsesandboots]

Years ago my vet recommended feeding one of my pups tinned cat food.  she did fine.  Clint, you put on some very informative posts.  

I´m finding this a very interesting thread.  And amusing.  

And horse-and-boots, a number of us have already told you on another thread that some places simply do not supply waterfowl feed, so we have to make do.  Although, ideally, for geese, their natural feed would be just grass etc. anyway.  

Right, back to the thread....  

I guess I just find it crazy that these feed stores don't provide it's customers with proper feeds and they "have to make do"

 

[horsesandboots]

Years ago my vet recommended feeding one of my pups tinned cat food.  she did fine.  Clint, you put on some very informative posts.  

I´m finding this a very interesting thread.  And amusing.  

And horse-and-boots, a number of us have already told you on another thread that some places simply do not supply waterfowl feed, so we have to make do.  Although, ideally, for geese, their natural feed would be just grass etc. anyway.  

Right, back to the thread....  

I also know it's been said the only option is getting it shipped. Does that mean no other feed stores in driving distance carry specific feeds?

 

[livininbrazil]

Hatcheries are just as bad as backyard breeders!

Strange comment, this is a backyard breeder forum.

Hatcheries are both good and bad, unfortunately. They are good in the sense that you can get birds that may not have a breeder close to you. They are bad in that they are about numbers, not quality. However, I wanted to get chickens, ducks, and geese because we had them when I was a child and I want to enjoy a simpler life as well as teach my kids about more than video games. We have 26 chickens, 8 geese, and 7 ducks. Many of the breeds are not produced locally, and the cost of quality lines would have prevented us from getting started. That being said, I culled all the cockerels we got and brought in a show line rooster for my pullets. I did this to open up the genetics and to increase size in my flock. My flock is for meat and egg production, not showing. But the cost of a good rooster to try and correct some of my flocks issues was worth it. I intend to keep up breeding my flock. And intent to do the same with my ducks and geese when I find good males. It's not the best answer, but is within our budget and is how we personally will deal with the issues we have.

Starfire, it was Speceider´s post that I read to mention about choline.
And I also did the same as you with my chickens..I had some Brahmas I bought, not from hatcheries, there aren´t any here that produce particular breeds that I know of, just the ones for egg production and meat (mixes), but I wanted to improve them, so I bought a beautiful big cockerel for a lot of money to try to improve what I have here. And my geese I´ve found from 3 different sources, and I´m trying to get to the third generation so they have a good mix in their genes for strong birds, pieds in one group, and auto-sexing in the others.

Thanks
The plan is to hatch next year, cull all cockerels for the table, keep and band the better pullets. After a few years, the current roosters will be culled and replaced with new quality outside Roos and repeat the process. I have mixed chickens, so my flock will be mutts, but from a genetics standpoint, that is probably best for me. I am focusing on size and egg production, not breeding to SOP. Maybe one day I will pick 1 breed and do that, but for now I am happy with my mixed flock. I have RIRs, BRs, BOs, BAs, SLW. I am going to leave off the SLWs and RIRs as I just don't like things about them and go with BRs, BOs, and BAs for my flock. The geese I am sticking with Africans and Chinese, and will bring in hatching eggs next season for new blood and cull heavily. My ducks will be Cayugas, and most likely have to order from other hatcheries if I can't find good stock within a reasonable distance. If I order through other hatcheries I will get some from 2 or 3 hatcheries that don't do business together to try and get Un-related lines.

That's the plan anyways, let's see what life throws in the mix, lol.

Good plan. Look forward to seeing the results!

 

[horsesandboots]

Strange comment, this is a backyard breeder forum.
Starfire, it was Speceider´s post that I read to mention about choline.  
And I also did the same as you with my chickens..I had some Brahmas I bought, not from hatcheries, there aren´t any here that produce particular breeds that I know of, just the ones for egg production and meat (mixes), but I wanted to improve them, so I bought a beautiful big cockerel for a lot of money to try to improve what I have here.  And my geese I´ve found from 3 different sources, and I´m trying to get to the third generation so they have a good mix in their genes for strong birds, pieds in one group, and auto-sexing in the others.     
Good plan.  Look forward to seeing the results!

Backyard breeder refers to people who house animals in cages and over breed and add to the pet population. They don't spay or neuter and breed the animal til it's dead or until it can't produce anymore. They are the ones who provide dogs to pet stores that turn around and sell Yorkies for $2000. Most of these animals are inbred for size purposes. And the animals are abused!!!
I really hope that isn't going on with anyone here!!!!!

 

[livininbrazil]

I also know it's been said the only option is getting it shipped. Does that mean no other feed stores in driving distance carry specific feeds?

Speaking for where I live, even the huge animal food supply stores do not carry anything special for waterfowl. I´ve done a search on the internet for some, and came up with nothing. I can only guess it´s not available.
So, it´s non-medicated chick crumb in the morning and in the evening, (I haven´t come across medicated here yet), and they free-range and if I see a problem, like wobbly or tired legs, I add Brewer´s yeast for a bit. so far, that´s been the only problem I´ve encountered. They get masses of greens and some fruit, etc. And that´s how we go.....

 

[horsesandboots]

Speaking for where I live, even the huge animal food supply stores do not carry anything special for waterfowl. I´ve done a search on the internet for some, and came up with nothing.  I can only guess it´s not available.  
So, it´s non-medicated chick crumb in the morning and in the evening, (I haven´t come across medicated here yet), and they free-range and if I see a problem, like wobbly or tired legs, I add Brewer´s yeast for a bit.  so far, that´s been the only problem I´ve encountered.  They get masses of greens and some fruit, etc.  And that´s how we go.....

Dang that's rough!!!!