Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[Yellow House Farm]

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Centrachid, where did you find this chart? It is nice. are there others like it, stressing other growth factors?

I made using Power Point in about 10 minutes, hence crude. Data presented hypothetical but likely repressentive of reality when looking at growth curves of many breeds, sometimes even within a breed. Some of my dominiques grow to fast, some way to slow which motivates my efforts. Those growing too fast do not mesh well with Heritage Breed requirments but also do not fair well in my free range setting for some reason, easpically when feed is not high end. Too slow and not worth effort as meat birds.

Hmm....unless feed is high end? I wonder if this is do to an increase call for protein?

 

[Cowgirlgrace]

I am interested in the Delaware to work on improving and preserving the breed and as a meat bird. I wanted to work on a heritage breed and while searching for an alternative meat breed to the Cornish cross I came across the Delaware. They are a beautiful breed and feel I can help the breed as well as them providing meat for my family. All the breeds I work with I breed seriously and work towards the SOP although I do not show as of yet. I am looking for good quality non hatchery heritage Delawares. Is anyone out there willing to part with hatching eggs? if so, do you have any available now? I am willing to buy chicks but would prefer hatching eggs as I can get them hatched and have chicks before it is safe to ship chicks. Thanks, Just PM me.

 

[centrarchid]

I think protein in terms of amount and kind. High end to me means lots of protein from animal sources (i.e. fishmeal). I like my birds to get what is needed from feeds where virtually all protein is of plant origin and supplement it with foraging. Also want big part of energy requirement met by consuming vegatable matter and fermenting it in cecae.

 

[Yellow House Farm]

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Hmmm...the one point I'd make there, and it might not need ot be made, but chickens are thoroughly omnivorous and animal protein is vital to their health. The push for all plant-protein feeds is not in keeping with the dietary needs of heritage fowl. Of course, if quality forage is available they'll probably fulfill all their needs on their own. But a few years back I called all of the different feed distributors in the area looking for any brand that still used animal protein in their recipes and they all responded negatively. I think that the lack of animal proteins in commercial feeds may be the base of several husbandry problems.

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

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Hmmm...the one point I'd make there, and it might not need ot be made, but chickens are thoroughly omnivorous and animal protein is vital to their health. The push for all plant-protein feeds is not in keeping with the dietary needs of heritage fowl. Of course, if quality forage is available they'll probably fulfill all their needs on their own. But a few years back I called all of the different feed distributors in the area looking for any brand that still used animal protein in their recipes and they all responded negatively. I think that the lack of animal proteins in commercial feeds may be the base of several husbandry problems.

Ok...while yall are on this topic. Need some advise.

I have several venison roasts left from the 2009-2010 hunting season that are a bit freezer burned for my taste. Since chooks "like meat", would it be advisable/ok to cook these roasts in a crockpot (or whatever) and give them to the birds?

 

[fowlman01]

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Everyone should raise these birds in a way that suits them. I don't think all people should show birds, but since I show birds I have them hatched for particular shows. Each strain/breed matures differently in different environments. What happens here in Norcal will probably not come about the same way where you are. What I am trying to get across is that a "show" bird raised by a serious breeder should outperform anything else in the breed..... Unless it is a breed that has been hybridized to perform a specific thing (eggs or meat, but not usually both).

Walt

 

[fowlman01]

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I would never recommend crossing a Brahma with a Rock. I was saying that some Brahmas grow faster than others. You will never see me post anything about crossing breeds unless it is to remake one that has disappeared. There is already a huge problem with stubs in penciled Rocks. If you look at the profile though you can understand why some people would do that. The bodies are similar. But as you say we don't want to lose the production qualities of the Rock and you don't see Brahmas in any laying hen set up.

I responded to give my perspective..and that is all that is...my perspective.

Walt

 

[fowlman01]

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Hmmm...the one point I'd make there, and it might not need ot be made, but chickens are thoroughly omnivorous and animal protein is vital to their health. The push for all plant-protein feeds is not in keeping with the dietary needs of heritage fowl. Of course, if quality forage is available they'll probably fulfill all their needs on their own. But a few years back I called all of the different feed distributors in the area looking for any brand that still used animal protein in their recipes and they all responded negatively. I think that the lack of animal proteins in commercial feeds may be the base of several husbandry problems.

A picture is worth a thousand words......

Waltr

 

[danhonour]

Yes cook up the deer meat rather than waste it. The birds will love it.Depending on your flock size,I would only give them what they will quickly clean up.You might want to cut it up and only give it to them once or twice a week. It is a concentrated food and they need only small amounts.

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

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Thank you very much....wasn't sure if it was ok to feed them or not