Australia - Six states..and that funny little island.

[Anniebee]

I didn't realise that heritage/pure breed could be harmed by too much protein. I knew they didn't need as much as the commercial hybrids.

I've upgraded this year to 17% mixes.
If I remember correctly, you feed barastock. Maybe the protein is too high in it.

From on line description of ingredients for Barastoc Golden Yolk layer pellets ... it states protein - 15%. (minimum) ?

THEN I decided to have a look at the actual 20Kg bag I have.

.... Same thing - protein - 15% ( minimum ).

So I think most likely there is not too much protein in the pellets. At least I very much doubt they would go over 17%. They have to keep some kind of quality control, or would damage the business pretty quickly, from developing a bad reputation.

" Mums' Mash " is going to be ultra un-interesting for the girls for the next 6 months - until it is time to moult again - and then it will be far less protein than I have given before.

Also, like you, didn't realise that pure breds can be harmed by too much protein. Chookies can be a strange lot. !!

Thanks for the observation though ... everything helps.

Cheers .......

 

[MyHaven]

[/quote]

Rightio! Let's see if this stops the bloody crows from pinching my eggs.

Love it! I want one. I want that outfit too. I bought a sling shot for the same reason the other day. Still trying to work out the amo.

 

[MyHaven]

I hope Ming does well and provides lots of good fruit. We are trying to work out how to do an exercise regime for the chooks here as the meat birds need to build some strength if we are going to manage to breed out of them.

The coop and run at the farm here has just finished being completely rebuilt and we have the meaties, layers and ornimental all in together. Will certainly get some interesting mixes if we hatch before the pre-cull fertitlity runs out. Hoping for a broody to do it as we don't really have a spot to do a brooder at the minute.

What breed of meaties are you breeding.

There was a good article on BYC on raising Cornish in a manner that encouraged movement. Did you see it?

I have two Brahma roos (that have to go) I look at and think "what great meat birds you would sire."

 

[MyHaven]

We all know my love of winter (NOT) so this morning with just a couple of days of winter left it is freezing current temp 2.1c feels like -.08c So this morning thor decides it would be a great morning to go off his na na at 5.30am. It's odd for thor to bark at that time of the morning and not stop so i race out and what do i find him barking at but the sensor light hubby set out under our bbq area yesterday. Guess he doesn't like change lol. He'd bark when the light came on run back and then go forward again which would set off the light again.. Would have been funnier if it was not so darn cold.

That's hilarious!

 

[MyHaven]

I'm getting a little worried about Grace the Buff Sussex who acquired herself that big pile of eggs. I have seperated her in her own little enclosure within the run, however I have not seen her get off the nest in the last two days since doing this and she just looks really angry. I have even placed her food and water beside the nest box but it doesn't look like she is touching it. Happy to take any thoughts.

They go trance like. But they do get off and drink/eat when they need to. They know when that is. Look out for that poo she'll do too. It is huge and smells bad. That's normal so don't think she's got something wrong there either. She's just being a good mum. When the chicks hatch she'll feed them first. She will loose condition. That's normal. Put out chick starter for her before they hatch. She'll impose her own lockdown too. I find a higher success rate with clucky girls than incubators.

 

[sjturner79]

What breed of meaties are you breeding.

There was a good article on BYC on raising Cornish in a manner that encouraged movement. Did you see it?

I have two Brahma roos (that have to go) I look at and think "what great meat birds you would sire."

I don't think I saw it but the ones have have been forced into free range by placing the water in a different place daily and spreading the food around the area.
I'm not sure what actual breed they are. They are steggles proprietary meat birds.
Brother collected a box of 5 dozen back in May or June some time and we have been slow growing them. The birds raised to instructions from that others had were killed about 4 weeks ago and this lot are about 70% of that size.
We have just over half the birds left I think as serveral of them have dropped dead from a lot of reasons.
Mostly lack of chicken intelligence and overcrowding I think. They are far far less intelligent than any of the heratage or random xbreed I have dealt with.

We have a lemon tree that is sooo laden at the moment, I think I will set up a stall out the front and sell them - undercutting the supermarket by 50% !!! 

Some people have good success in growing a particular type of orange ... delicious and sweet ... me ?  no luck there. 

Just thought mandarines ( or mandarins ) were strictly a warm climate fruit, for some reason, but notice that Fancy grows them in chillier Tassie.

I used to have a fairly green thumb but .......  seems to have disappeared.  

Cheers .......   

The mandarin trees we had in the orchard were I grew up would only set fruit if we had at least 3 really good frosts for the winter so I am surprised they grow up north, but there are probably different varieties.

 

[sjturner79]

I don't think I saw it but the ones have have been forced into free range by placing the water in a different place daily and spreading the food around the area.
I'm not sure what actual breed they are. They are steggles proprietary meat birds.
Brother collected a box of 5 dozen back in May or June some time and we have been slow growing them. The birds raised to instructions from that others had were killed about 4 weeks ago and this lot are about 70% of that size.
We have just over half the birds left I think as serveral of them have dropped dead from a lot of reasons.
Mostly lack of chicken intelligence and overcrowding I think. They are far far less intelligent than any of the heratage or random xbreed I have dealt with.
The mandarin trees we had in the orchard were I grew up would only set fruit if we had at least 3 really good frosts for the winter so I am surprised they grow up north, but there are probably different varieties.

I forgot to add : I was going to use some of the meaties to breed heavier frizzles, but after seeing this lot I think I will go back to looking for some dorkings or blue orpingtons instead

 

[Anniebee]

Good morning folks

The new build looks good sjturner79, lots of room to hunt and peck

Tee hee satay thank you for the Thor v sensor light chuckle

MullyAly as Fancy has mentioned, a broody hen will often only leave the eggs to poop, eat and drink etc and most do this. However, Cilla did not get that memo and does not get off the nest. I know this because I have tested her. For this reason, when Cilla is brooding, I make sure I take her off the nest twice a day. Putting the food and water within easy reach is a good idea. However, I do not do that as I would prefer my broody’s to have incentive to move. So those that do get off the nest have to do so and go for a little walk to get food and water.

Also, as others have mentioned, I would not be concerned about Grace overheating, 24 is not too bad. I have had broody’s sitting on a hatch in low 30’s. I offer them drinks from a little cup I have while they are on the nest between actual breaks. Most do not bother but Cilla does indulge … I think she secretly likes being waited on

Fizzybelle I am pleased to hear that Agnes is on the road to recovery.

Anniebee yep, Chucky is doing well and continues to visit daily. He has taken to sitting in the Mango Tree and singing to me if I have not put the food out early enough

He also gets very close and appears to be listening to me when I talk to him. No sign of the parents since that one time sighting with the Turtle Dove carcass.

His colouring does not appear to have changed but I will get an updated photo over the next few days.

I actually wanted an apple tree but was disappointed to learn that they do not cope well in Brisbane weather, no frosts etc to promote the production of fruit so Ming the Mandarin came to stay instead.

Did you see the plastic wire on top of the soil? I put that there to stop the girls digging him out of his pot and sure enough, I have caught Crystal up there a couple of times and the wire is working in that she can not scratch the soil. She knows she is not allowed up there and when I scald her she jumps down and skulks off

Neat feeders Fancy and good luck with the hatch .. looking forward to the pics.

I will probably jinx myself but so far we are still a broody free zone. As mentioned before, Cilla did think about it for a day but appears to have changed her mind. I think the fact that the evenings spent on the roost are still coolish is helping but once they warm up also I doubt I will be broody free for long.

Teila -

So pleased to know your beautiful new pet "Chucky" is still visiting and singing to you. As for him listening to you - I'll just bet he is, and might surprise you one day with a mimic or two of your voice. We had a magpie who mimicked the sound of our neighbours mobile phone ringing ( might have mentioned this before ) and she went into a tail-spin looking for the phone. Until she twigged. Mimicking birds can make some extraordinary sounds.

Apple trees do well down here in Victoria. Pruning has to be done every year - and care taken for the fruit not to be attacked by insects and birds.

And yes, noticed the wire on top of the soil around 'Ming' ... and laughed at the visual of Crystal 'skulking off' because she was scolded for being where she was not allowed.

You sure have some very very interesting pets and plants around there.

Enjoy all your posts, as usual.

Cheers .......

 

[Fancychooklady]

An intensive night with the equine vet , finally finished up at 8 pm , the poor thing still had to attend a horse caught in a fence. Trying to get everyone squared off ready for travel on Thursday.
Lots of red tape.

 

[satay]

I don't think I saw it but the ones have have been forced into free range by placing the water in a different place daily and spreading the food around the area.
I'm not sure what actual breed they are. They are steggles proprietary meat birds.
Brother collected a box of 5 dozen back in May or June some time and we have been slow growing them. The birds raised to instructions from that others had were killed about 4 weeks ago and this lot are about 70% of that size.
We have just over half the birds left I think as serveral of them have dropped dead from a lot of reasons.
Mostly lack of chicken intelligence and overcrowding I think. They are far far less intelligent than any of the heratage or random xbreed I have dealt with.
The mandarin trees we had in the orchard were I grew up would only set fruit if we had at least 3 really good frosts for the winter so I am surprised they grow up north, but there are probably different varieties.

Mine does really well up here but we get quite a few frosts each winter.