BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[Arielle]

Quote: I'm ON dial up and it is creepy--- lol, I'm sure you are not on dial up and that's why it apears "normal" to you. lol.

Now does it make sense?? lol

 

[Arielle]

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.

As BOb used to say, listen to the breeder of the birds. So I will follow that advice. Chris provided some evidence to show this was a valuable lesson learned, so I will follow his advice on the % protein. THough I clearly need to ask if this is on pasture, or not.

I like your idea of running the side by side experiment on penned batches of chicks and compare to broodies running around with chicks when the pastures are well established and growing crickets etc.

One lesson that I learned with cornishX is that the faster they grow the less feed they need to reach the dinner plate. Of course the caveat is that bagged feed is expensive so faster is better in that regard. Otherwise I would think pasture is cheaper, and supplement with a high% protein if the pasture is lacking bugs.

THanks for your in put and support.


Local feed store does not carry fishmeal-- guess it was a figment of my imagination when I saw it posted on the specialty list. Fortunately there are other feed stores around. ANd I can check the suppliers website and have anything ordered that is listed.

 

[hellbender]

I'm not dial up and it is creepy--- lol, I'm sure you are not on dial up and that's why it apears "normal" to you. lol.

Ok, after after about 20 seconds of intense thought....let's just call this a 'creepy' draw!

 

[3riverschick]

Next hatch I do, the chicks will be raised on Agway 22% or better medicated chick feed till 6 weeks.
Then Agway Meatbird 22% for the rest of their lives. That's one lesson learned the hard way when feeding
this historically "meat" breed. They are not an egg breed despite that a lot of folk raise them for egg purposes.
Best,
Karen

 

[hellbender]

Next hatch I do, the chicks will be raised on Agway 22% or better medicated chick feed till 6 weeks.
Then Agway Meatbird 22% for the rest of their lives. That's one lesson learned the hard way when feeding
this historically "meat" breed. They are not an egg breed despite that a lot of folk raise them for egg purposes.
Best,
Karen

I tend to feed medicated, along with our "home made gruel' and the FF for up to 6 months. The FF was only added last year but it does seem to lessen the overall cost and certainly does no harm to egg production. The birds we eat of course are our own capons.

What you plan certainly sounds feasible!

RON

Edited to add to the first sentence.

 

[LindaB220]

Well, Hellbender, I just found your thread. Finished reading and am totally in agreement. I got my first chicks a week ago and I got hatchery birds to more or less get started on. I have 3 breeds. Six Golden Comets, 5 each of White Rock and Delaware pullets and 2 males ea of both. I had one doa Delaware male and another one died 2 days ago. The whole breed seems to be substandard. Smaller than the other two and frailer. I'm afraid I'm going to lose another. All the Delawares had pasty butt today. I'm outside of Shreveport La. and it's been really hot in the enclosed store house I have them in. I turned out the heat lamp 3 or so days ago. Today I finally got paid and bought an AC for there. I'll leave it on around 80.
My question is how much difference is there in the breeds. Is this normal? I thought Delawares were hardier. Meyer Hatchery. The other two breeds are going gangbusters. I'm doing fermented feed and feel it really has helped. I'm learning by my mistakes.

I have 25 more coming within the month from Sandhill. Five each of White Dorkings, Lt Sussex Blue Ameracauna and New Hampshires, along with assorted heavies. Standard Run. I plan on using a New Hampshire over the White Dorking, Lt Sussex, White and Delaware to see which one gives the better Red sex link. Is there anything I need to be aware of or do instead?

 

[hellbender]

Well, Hellbender, I just found your thread. Finished reading and am totally in agreement. I got my first chicks a week ago and I got hatchery birds to more or less get started on. I have 3 breeds. Six Golden Comets, 5 each of White Rock and Delaware pullets and 2 males ea of both. I had one doa Delaware male and another one died 2 days ago. The whole breed seems to be substandard. Smaller than the other two and frailer. I'm afraid I'm going to lose another. All the Delawares had pasty butt today. I'm outside of Shreveport La. and it's been really hot in the enclosed store house I have them in. I turned out the heat lamp 3 or so days ago. Today I finally got paid and bought an AC for there. I'll leave it on around 80.
My question is how much difference is there in the breeds. Is this normal? I thought Delawares were hardier. Meyer Hatchery. The other two breeds are going gangbusters. I'm doing fermented feed and feel it really has helped. I'm learning by my mistakes.

I have 25 more coming within the month from Sandhill. Five each of White Dorkings, Lt Sussex Blue Ameracauna and New Hampshires, along with assorted heavies. Standard Run. I plan on using a New Hampshire over the White Dorking, Lt Sussex, White and Delaware to see which one gives the better Red sex link. Is there anything I need to be aware of or do instead?

Is there any way you can cancel the order coming 'til you can get a bit better organized?

 

[LindaB220]

Is there any way you can cancel the order coming 'til you can get a bit better organized?

No they should be coming April 20. I don't think I can cancel it.

 

[hellbender]

No they should be coming April 20. I don't think I can cancel it.

 

[cracrzy4chicks]

As BOb used to say, listen to the breeder of the birds. So I will follow that advice. Chris provided some evidence to show this was a valuable lesson learned, so I will follow his advice on the % protein. THough I clearly need to ask if this is on pasture, or not.

I like your idea of running the side by side experiment on penned batches of chicks and compare to broodies running around with chicks when the pastures are well established and growing crickets etc.

One lesson that I learned with cornishX is that the faster they grow the less feed they need to reach the dinner plate. Of course the caveat is that bagged feed is expensive so faster is better in that regard. Otherwise I would think pasture is cheaper, and supplement with a high% protein if the pasture is lacking bugs.

THanks for your in put and support.


Local feed store does not carry fishmeal-- guess it was a figment of my imagination when I saw it posted on the specialty list. Fortunately there are other feed stores around. ANd I can check the suppliers website and have anything ordered that is listed.

I feed 27% gamebird starter to my chicks. They THRIVE on it. I belong to the Australorp thread and the breeders recommend hi-protein feed.