BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[HaikuHeritageFarm]

You can improve on egg production in both size and yield within three generations if selection is done correctly.

Can we go back to this? My space and lifestyle makes bantams much more reasonable keepers for me, but I still believe in maximizing potential of anything I keep. SO...how do I get my four-egg a week Welsummer bantams to lay like rockstars over the next three generations?

 

[call ducks]

Quote: Let me think - If I don't get back real soon (within a day) just quote me (so I get an email lol). I have to do a bit of thinking on this.

 

[HaikuHeritageFarm]

Let me think - If I don't get back real soon (within a day) just quote me (so I get an email lol). I have to do a bit of thinking on this.

all right! I gave you a week! Lol

 

[ronniewayne]

Let me think - If I don't get back real soon (within a day) just quote me (so I get an email lol). I have to do a bit of thinking on this.

i sure want to know the answer to this one

 

[call ducks]

Hey everyone I have had a crazy work week (Like 48 hours this week) and I won't be done until Tuesday - But I am writing something up and will be posting it on my website - so I will post when done I am trying to make this good.

 

[hellbender]

error

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1066599224008

 

[Arielle]

Hellbender-- on dialup this is just creepy. CHeese with eyes and its alive! Very creepy. lol


-----------------------
On another note--

My next adventure has started-- 25 buckeye chicks ordered a few months ago should arrive today. THough knowing the USPS express is not always express, called my PO and delivered the APB.

THe breeder highly recommended a higher protein than usual and with animal proteins. I have extra eggs I can supplement for now as animal products in chicken feed seem to have become taboo here in this region. Goal is 27% protein minimum; he feeds 30% for the first 8 weeks. I will follow his advice as he knows his stock.

THis makes me curious though. How would foraging chicks eat a 30% protein diet? What would their intake look like? I imagine mostly bugs and worms and catapillars, but that supposes that the weather and local environment allows for and supports that. Corn and SBM are good complementary protein sources. Add a bit of animal protein and that should work.

Input welcome.

 

[gjensen]

30% is ok if they are on grass and being raised to process specifically. Other wise it is a bit high and a waste, IMO. They get that from the ALBC Buckeye project, but even they mentioned that level for pasture raised broilers as an option. If the grass they are eating is 12-14%p and 20% of what they eat, their total intake is not 30%. A lot of it is deciding how much that you want to push them.

There is a growth curve, and you can manipulate the peak of the curve. You can also grow them out little slower and still get similar adult sizes. The growth peak is just a little farther into the season, and they will be a little older when they reach and ideal processing weight.

Start where you think is best, and with the recommendation if that is the case. You will not hurt anything. Next year when you are hatching your own feed two separate groups a different level and watch how they grow out. Track it to maturity and see what I tried to illustrate. You will see them end up in a similar place. Then you will have a good idea how you want to approach it based on what your priorities are. It may be that you want to grow the pullets and cockerels out differently. Who knows? You will though.

Just one of those get to know them and you will find your own ideal. Good luck with them, and congratulations.

 

[hellbender]

Hellbender-- on dialup this is just creepy. CHeese with eyes and its alive! Very creepy. lol


-----------------------
On another note--

My next adventure has started-- 25 buckeye chicks ordered a few months ago should arrive today. THough knowing the USPS express is not always express, called my PO and delivered the APB.

THe breeder highly recommended a higher protein than usual and with animal proteins. I have extra eggs I can supplement for now as animal products in chicken feed seem to have become taboo here in this region. Goal is 27% protein minimum; he feeds 30% for the first 8 weeks. I will follow his advice as he knows his stock.

THis makes me curious though. How would foraging chicks eat a 30% protein diet? What would their intake look like? I imagine mostly bugs and worms and catapillars, but that supposes that the weather and local environment allows for and supports that. Corn and SBM are good complementary protein sources. Add a bit of animal protein and that should work.

Input welcome.

You think I'm on dial-up? I'm not... What makes you think I Am????

 

[hellbender]

Hey everyone I have had a crazy work week (Like 48 hours this week) and I won't be done until Tuesday - But I am writing something up and will be posting it on my website - so I will post when done I am trying to make this good.

Please post it here...we need the traffic!