Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[Yellow House Farm]

I think at this point that it's more about saving money than mad cow. I think mad cow was the original excuse but I'm pretty sure that soy protein's cheaper than meat protein, and why not make more profit on the feed...right??....grrrr...

 

[catdaddyfro]

I think at this point that it's more about saving money than mad cow. I think mad cow was the original excuse but I'm pretty sure that soy protein's cheaper than meat protein, and why not make more profit on the feed...right??....grrrr...

That sounds a little more likely towards the truth of the matter than the optional story huh?

 

[thedragonlady]

It is sad.

I read a suggestion--make friends with a local butcher and get meat and bone scraps from them, boil them down and feed that the the chickens. The person said that the scraps were usually free but sometime the charged a small amount for the scraps.

Yes, chickens need animal protein.

Very few grocery stores still actually cut meat. IGA and Piggly Wiggly still do, but they don't produce enough scraps to do any good here. The butchers at both stores let me know if they have some though , and I grab them . Big Lots sometimes has cans of cheap Salmon too.

 

[aveca]

I think at this point that it's more about saving money than mad cow. I think mad cow was the original excuse but I'm pretty sure that soy protein's cheaper than meat protein, and why not make more profit on the feed...right??....grrrr...

thats about 90% of it.wished they never put that soy in..long story..soy is only a safe food product in small portions when it is fermented like in kimchi..otherwise ..lets say it was a bad slash greedy decision..

 

[aveca]

Very few grocery stores still actually cut meat. IGA and Piggly Wiggly still do, but they don't produce enough scraps to do any good here. The butchers at both stores let me know if they have some though , and I grab them . Big Lots sometimes has cans of cheap Salmon too.

i do same thing vickie..cheap canned salmon mixed with scramble egg..your baby boy glows..thou this time of year dont need to do much..they are finding tons of sallymanders out there with all of this rain..the chicken egg is a complete food ...every nutrient known or needed by growing poultry is in there..dogs get a real shiney coat from them , and so do chickens.

 

[Zanna]

Sorry, problems this AM!

 

[ocap]

It is sad.

I read a suggestion--make friends with a local butcher and get meat and bone scraps from them, boil them down and feed that the the chickens. The person said that the scraps were usually free but sometime the charged a small amount for the scraps.

Yes, chickens need animal protein.

I ask a deer hunter for his scraps, looks like I might get some this fall

 

[cbnovick]

For animal based protein, I feed what meat left overs we may have weekly....some low salt wild caught tuna rinsed well....scrambled eggs and lots of the dried mealworms (maybe 1/2 cup per day per adult bird)along with their grazing a few hours a day for what bugs they manage to find here in arid, hot climate of AZ....the birds go CRAZY for the dried meal worms above all treats...even my 2 week old chicks hit 'frenzy' mode when I toss them a small handful....50% protein, 25% fat....all good for extra nutrition and EFA's from the fat for their feathers. They get some calf manna but really do not like it much, unfortunately...even if I hide it by mixing it in wet mash )-: They like some wild bird seed mixed with BOSS too.

In my amateur opinion,
variety is key and by throwing in a lot of animal protein, I feel they are getting all they need for good condition/finish. Despite my ringlet barred rocks are beginning their first adult molt, they have maintained really red combs and still laying some too even in our 115 with lows of 90 heat wave this week. To me, that's the 'proof in the pudding'!! Consistent worming is key as well...that way they get the nutrients and not the parasites!


Bob, here's some more "old fashioned" LF photos for you taken over the past 4 months here in AZ...

My 11 Buff Rocks and 1 Buff Orp are doing well...I will post pics soon of them again.

 

[thedragonlady]

For animal based protein, I feed what meat left overs we may have weekly....some low salt wild caught tuna rinsed well....scrambled eggs and lots of the dried mealworms (maybe 1/2 cup per day per adult bird)along with their grazing a few hours a day for what bugs they manage to find here in arid, hot climate of AZ....the birds go CRAZY for the dried meal worms above all treats...even my 2 week old chicks hit 'frenzy' mode when I toss them a small handful....50% protein, 25% fat....all good for extra nutrition and EFA's from the fat for their feathers. They get some calf manna but really do not like it much, unfortunately...even if I hide it by mixing it in wet mash )-: They like some wild bird seed mixed with BOSS too.

In my amateur opinion,
variety is key and by throwing in a lot of animal protein, I feel they are getting all they need for good condition/finish. Despite my ringlet barred rocks are beginning their first adult molt, they have maintained really red combs and still laying some too even in our 115 with lows of 90 heat wave this week. To me, that's the 'proof in the pudding'!! Consistent worming is key as well...that way they get the nutrients and not the parasites!


Bob, here's some more "old fashioned" LF photos for you taken over the past 4 months here in AZ...

My 11 Buff Rocks and 1 Buff Orp are doing well...I will post pics soon of them again.

Cindy,

They are positively BLOOMING ! Good job !

 

[galanie]

Mine have been getting their eggs back. My egg customers don't really understand why I never have eggs lately but I've tried to tell them like when I have 5 of my 10 girls broody (so far only 2 of those have NOT been broody this year). Anyway between that and worming them, I'm just giving the few they are laying right back to them. Raw. They go nuts over them. Yet still won't touch an egg that has not already been broken.

I feel for you guys that can only get soy protein based foods. That's complete crap.