Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[Jared77]

Thank you Walt I learned that info from a very close friend and mentor who guided me through my adventures in canaries and finches. He did the exact same thing and was ruthless about the parents raising their own chicks. He never, ever fostered eggs out as he felt he was doing the breed/species a disservice if they wouldn't raise their own chicks. I wish he was still around to talk to. He forgot more about breeding than most folks know.

 

[fowlman01]

Quote:
Hen Scratch (mixed grains) is usually only 9% protein, so that might not be a good thing to feed during feather growth or laying times. I don't have the time to mix feed, so I buy locally prepared food that is called: "Natural 20 laying pellets". It is 20% protein and works well with my chickens and waterfowl. It contains no preservatives, chemicals or anything else that is not natural. Most feed companies make something like this. Almost all of the people I know mix their own though.
I find that mixed grain works very well during the winter after laying and feather production...and it's cheap. Mixed grains help make hard feathers and this is good in Orientals and Games, but not so good for most Heritage breeds. I have also found that mixed grains CAN cause white in tail feathers and wing feathers, particularly if these feathers are black.

I always qualify my statements by saying " this is what I do and it works with my birds here at this location". I say this because some of the things I do don't work for other people. What works for some breeds/strains may not necessarily work for others. My birds are totally chemical free. No after market vitamins, medicines, injections etc etc. My birds pretty much die of old age, occasional predators or once when a car hit one of one. I have ducks here that are 20 years old. Chickens last from one day to 12-15 years. The ones at one day are the ones I cull. I also don't let many people on the property, but I do show my birds and they are exposed at that time. they just don't get anything. It did not start out that way though....you have to be strong to live here or you meet Mr. Axe.

Walt Leonard

 

[HaikuHeritageFarm]

Walt, I was hoping the fishmeal would up the protein, as well as add omega-3 and other good vitamins and such to the grain-based diet. Am I wrong about that?

 

[fowlman01]

Quote:
No, not at all. Any way you can up the protein during those two times is fine.

I would suggest everyone use Chris's info, it is very complete, I just don't have the time.

 

[fowlman01]

Quote:
Many years ago when I first started in birds I would find the oldest guy I could who was not senile and just ask questions. Some of the old time poultry guys had info that somehow has been overlooked in the last 40 years. Most of it did not involve chemicals, because they just didn't have them available at that time. (although they did have some dangerous stuff around back then) They were sexing chicks by primary wing feather length and eye streaks in the chicks. Some of this has been lost to many poultry people.

Anyway a lot of what was known back then disappeared for some reason. That is why old poultry books are so useful.

Walt

 

[Birdie004]

I'm not really sure how to describe the feather color on my barred hollands. I've just taken some pictures will load them in a few minutes. My Barred Hollands were born 5/17/2010, The Buckeye 4/12/2010. They were all kept in the kitchen till Memorial Day, then outdoors during day, kitchen at night til mid June. They moved to thier coop at night and have free range in the back yard.

 

[fowlman01]

Quote:
Hen Scratch (mixed grains) is usually only 9% protein, so that might not be a good thing to feed during feather growth or laying times. I don't have the time to mix feed, so I buy locally prepared food that is called: "Natural 20 laying pellets". It is 20% protein and works well with my chickens and waterfowl. It contains no preservatives, chemicals or anything else that is not natural. Most feed companies make something like this. Almost all of the people I know mix their own though.
I find that mixed grain works very well during the winter after laying and feather production...and it's cheap. Mixed grains help make hard feathers and this is good in Orientals and Games, but not so good for most Heritage breeds. I have also found that mixed grains CAN cause white in tail feathers and wing feathers, particularly if these feathers are black.

I always qualify my statements by saying " this is what I do and it works with my birds here at this location". I say this because some of the things I do don't work for other people. What works for some breeds/strains may not necessarily work for others. My birds are totally chemical free. No after market vitamins, medicines, injections etc etc. My birds pretty much die of old age, occasional predators or once when a car hit one of one. I have ducks here that are 20 years old. Chickens last from one day to 12-15 years. The ones at one day are the ones I cull. I also don't let many people on the property, but I do show my birds and they are exposed at that time. they just don't get anything. It did not start out that way though....you have to be strong to live here or you meet Mr. Axe.

I would suggest everyone use Chris's info, it is very complete, I just don't have the time.

Walt Leonard

 

[punky rooster]

Quote:
The color of a barred holland is barred or cuckoo .

 

[Birdie004]

I know the barred color but I have brown in it

 

[punky rooster]

I will have to see pics in order to help you