Australorps breed Thread

[Melabella]

Hi, just to let you know I called the store in PA and they carry a full line of Agway poultry feeds including meat chicken feed @ 22%protein, which I need for my annual shipment of Cornish Rocks. I'll drive up there when I'm back on my feet and look it over. Are you still feeding Agway and if so, are you feeding it exclusively or with other feeds.

You have some great dogs there, you obviouly take good care of them! I have 7 Jack Russells that are in the last years of their life. The youngest is 12 and the oldest is over 16! I figure we'll be looking for a new dog in a couple of years.

Hello WVDan,

Yes, I do feed this exclusively to my flock.. As I mentioned, I must feed a soy free feed, and this is the only affordable brand i have been able to find in my location. I also liked the indredients with the Omega Fatty acids, and pre and probiotics of the feed. I reached out to another poster from the thread I found about the feed as to why he stated that he was concerned about the feed, and he kindly responded that it was not something he has seen actually in his birds but was concerned as to the source of protein where it was coming from pertaining to the winter time, and getting his birds through molt. I think I will stop feeding this when my flock does shuts down from laying and experiences their molt to a game bird flock grower with a higher percentage protein, but then again, I will have to search for a soy free one! I do sometimes supplement with BOSS, mealworms, and even scrambling an egg a few times a week for some added protein throug these winter months. I have read several articles about being watchful with high protein feed and bumble foot and gout in flocks. Too much can be a bad thing, so one should be mindful. Meat birds have a much shorter life span with us all, but still would watch for that.

When it gets a bit warmer, I plan to try to Ferment these pellets, and feed them Fermented Feed.. I have read a lot about it's benefits to digestive health in birds,and as a way to make my chickens bodies inhospitable to disease causing microorganisms and worms that can kill. For now I have been using UACV in their water. I have read that FF also produced healthy firm bm's with less smell. I'm us to try anything to get that in my coop and run!

I have been thinking of getting a nice Heritage roo for my flock. Love these birds, love the look of them, they seem to be so classy, if you can attribute that to a chicken. One of mygirls seems rather nice,, with a fair SOP. For all of you who have BA roo's are their dispostions nice?

Love connecting with all you experienced people on here, and thank you for helping me to learn.
MB

 

[WVDan44]

We got our ES to shadow her and protect her, especiallly when two jack russel terriers down the road got picked off by coyotes last year. Don't tell her that though, she heads out there and barks a storm up the minute she catches scent of somthing. Jack my English Shepherd is like a silent stealth bomber.

In their prime, I would put three of my JRs up against a single coyote, but not a pack of them. I have the working JRs, not the short legged puddins, as they are called in England. I have worked mine to red fox, raccoon, groundhog, and have friends who have worked theirs to badger - now that's a formidible opponent! My JRs were lightning fast and fearless in their day, sometimes to their own demise. There'd be no way to train them to behave around BA chickens. Here's my 2003 National Go-To-Ground Champion terrier 12.5 inches and over, Jesse. He's also earned his Bronze Medallion, the highest award for special merit in the field as a working terrier. This photo was featured on a local calendar a few years ago.


.

 

[Melabella]

In their prime, I would put three of my JRs up against a single coyote, but not a pack of them. I have the working JRs, not the short legged puddins, as they are called in England. I have worked mine to red fox, raccoon, groundhog, and have friends who have worked theirs to badger - now that's a formidible opponent! My JRs were lightning fast and fearless in their day, sometimes to their own demise. There'd be no way to train them to behave around BA chickens. Here's my 2003 National Go-To-Ground Champion terrier 12.5 inches and over, Jesse. He's also earned his Bronze Medallion, the highest award for special merit in the field as a working terrier. This photo was featured on a local calendar a few years ago.


.

Dan, What a cute handsome dog! I worked on the racetrack for years,, rats where commonplace. There were two JK terriers that one of the old grooms used to bring around and actually for a small fee work your barn for a half hour with his two JK's. I have never in my life witnessed a dog work and flush out rats like these two dogs did. They were amazing! I have always respected them and admired them. Another breed that got popular, and over bred, and got a bad rap. You my dear sir must be a good dog trainer, as they are not for everyone. It takes a skilled person with good animal intuition to bring out the best in them. They are lucky to have to you bring them into their golden years.

If you ever do get another dog and have some property you need to protect, I highly recommend the English Shepherd. A lot of people think jack is a border collie, the two breeds where as similar, are quite different. BC herd preditorially, and tend to instill nervousness to move. An ES herds upright, loose eyed, with no less urgency, but in a calmer different manner. This is why they are seen on cattle and diary farms all over the United States. They are the quintessential farm shepherd we all see from paintings from years gone by. Ol shep, like grandma had is what I hear alot. He is loyal, watchful, and guards anything that is his owner till the end. And perhaps the biggest feature of all, is they have a turn off switch, they are wonderful companions.

http://www.englishshepherd.org/ They are not AKC registered, and that is the way the breeders want them. who needs another exploited breed? Love my ES!

ps, when i am in a hurry, and have to put the chickens up quickly while free ranging, all I have to tell Jack is. "put em in" and he herd them up, and I close the door!

MB

 

[WVDan44]

For all of you who have BA roo's are their dispostions nice?


MB

I'm a guy who had "mutt" chickens a few times in my life, but I consider myself a rank beginner with very limited exposure to BA flocks. What I can tell you about is a couple of breeders I know of with sweet, gentle roos. One is Curt of Rattlesnake Ridge here in WV who recently lost his beloved Dundee, a great pet and stud roo. Another is one I just bought from the Hipps' in NC. This boy is a snuggle bunny. He comes to me to be handled and is very gentle and nice to deal with. The hens I bought with him are pretty much the same. Seems like the more they are handled, the better it goes. If you have a mean one, eat him. I reckon most people on here have nice gentle roos with this breed.

 

[WVDan44]

http://www.englishshepherd.org/ They are not AKC registered, and that is the way the breeders want them. who needs another exploited breed? Love my ES!

ps, when i am in a hurry, and have to put the chickens up quickly while free ranging, all I have to tell Jack is. "put em in" and he herd them up, and I close the door!

MB

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention rats didn't I.

My breed club chose not to go AKC as well.

I do like the English Shepherd very much as a matter of fact, and would consider that for my next dog. I may have to get with you for some recommendations in the future. BCs and JRs do not have a turn off switch which is definitely a down side on the farm, but it also makes them the top competition and working dogs in agility and beyond IMHO. Still, I would enjoy a kinder gentler spirit at times.

Cheers!

 

[traveshamockery]

Are you up by Modesto?

Mine do well in the heat here too.

Much further north...Redding area. I can't get one of my hens to stop flying, even though I've slipped her wings. Next, I'm going to just tie rocks to her ankles.

 

[ronott1]

Quote: Only clip one wing, which put them off balance. They can manage to fly if both wings are even.

Are you Amy Beth's friend?

Come say hi here!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/25/california-northern/13760

Ron

 

[traveshamockery]

Only clip one wing, which put them off balance. They can manage to fly if both wings are even.

Are you Amy Beth's friend?

Come say hi here!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/25/california-northern/13760

Ron

Yes, she's my wonderful friend!!!! Just trying to learn more about the BA's.

 

[DeesHens]

OK, here is the test batch if I can upload right. These are prime BA's from Tiger Creek, thanks Stan. You can clearly see the difference in the coloring between the 4 and the 1. Does anyone

In picture #2 - Left to right: Cockerel, pullet, pullet, cockerel (in back) pullet (in front)
Good practice! I better get real good at this fast for when I pick out mine soon.

Meaning I don't want a cockerel. ~Dee~

 

[DeesHens]

BTW. Being a dog lover I really enjoyed the pics both MB & Dan shared. You both have wonderful looking dogs. Have you heard of the Icelandic Shephard? They are wonderful farm dogs as well. I was introduced to them by my neighbor. They have a couple plus her close friend breeds champions as well so that is how I fell in love with the breed.

On the feed subject. In Dec. I just started using Scratch & Peck layer which does not have any GMO or soy. It is a fairly new WA. state company but does sell online. Before that I was using In Seasons organic layer from Canada. These both are the mash type grains not the pellets or crumbles. Anyway, there is no waste as I dump the fines in a bowl with water kefir after the grain is consumed out of the feeder. The hens absolutely love it and it is so good for them. I feel good about it at any rate.

As always I enjoyed reading this thread very much. I am always learning new things from you good folks. Enjoy your humor too. Take care. ~Dee~