BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[Arielle]

Ron, I would guess that when animals or birds get to eat primarily what God intended them to eat they thrive.

 

[hellbender]

Ronott1 How in the world can you keep up interest n so many breeds? I can handle one or perhaps two...
In your case, it must certainly be a'way of life' ..But I actually feel like what I do is a way of life as well.
I guess you are a better man than I. Good luck!!!

 

[LindaB220]

I don't think I've ever posted anything in any depth as to the actual constitution of the daily feed mixture. If you are really interested...give me a day or two and I'll see if I can draw something up and I will send it to you by PM...I've already stirred up the bubble gum crowd enough for awhile. Thank you for your interest.

RON

EDIT. dratted spelling ....arthritic fingers are not so nimble anymore!

Me too. Please

 

[Arielle]

Quote: Oh ROn we will not be letting you off that easily,lol-- this here is your thread, and as OP you should be able to post what you want. Or not . . . .

 

[Arielle]

THis is some of what I have been reading lately--

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/artic...-nutrition-and-forages-summary-and-references

 

[ronott1]

Ronott1 How in the world can you keep up interest n so many breeds? I can handle one or perhaps two...
In your case, it must certainly be a'way of life' ..But I actually feel like what I do is a way of life as well.
I guess you are a better man than I. Good luck!!!

I am focusing on the Spanish breeds for now. I have Partridge Penegesenca in a Breeding program and will be moving Pita Pintas over to one now. I will be hatching American Bresse but they will be for meat birds.

The rest I am keeping for a layer flock.

I almost forgot! I am helping to improve SG Dorkngs and Delawares for a local breeder. I just hatch them and she Breeds them. It is very time consuming but so much fun!

 

[Arielle]

I need some input folks---

I have speckled sussex chosen for practical utility traits and are far from SOP. Which makes them very tough to work with.

For now I am keeping the old orginal male in case I completely screw up-- hate the bugger as he attacks but he is a diligent guard freeranging all day, so I forgive him, until I have good replacements.

9 cckls survived the winter. 1 recently injured and not improving yet = cull. I handled all 8 remaining males. THese were late summer hatched.

5 are noticeably larger than the others.
3 smaller boys which are also a bit younger ( yah , I know, exact ages would be helpful here--noted)

I am confused. THe 5 larger boys have bigger keels but the meat doesn't fill out to keel. Feels like a V.
The 3 other boys have a smaller keel and feel like a U, with the meat rounding down to the keel better.

A filled out keel is good, and a bigger keel is good but what do I pick for improvement? One of each??
Or is this an age thing?

ANy insight is appreciated. Pot is heating up.

 

[hellbender]

I need some input folks---

I have speckled sussex chosen for practical utility traits and are far from SOP. Which makes them very tough to work with.

For now I am keeping the old orginal male in case I completely screw up-- hate the bugger as he attacks but he is a diligent guard freeranging all day, so I forgive him, until I have good replacements.

9 cckls survived the winter. 1 recently injured and not improving yet = cull. I handled all 8 remaining males. THese were late summer hatched.

5 are noticeably larger than the others.
3 smaller boys which are also a bit younger ( yah , I know, exact ages would be helpful here--noted)

I am confused. THe 5 larger boys have bigger keels but the meat doesn't fill out to keel. Feels like a V.
The 3 other boys have a smaller keel and feel like a U, with the meat rounding down to the keel better.

A filled out keel is good, and a bigger keel is good but what do I pick for improvement? One of each??
Or is this an age thing?

ANy insight is appreciated. Pot is heating up.

I'm far from an expert here but I look at it like I do the rabbits. I keep Florida whites as my base-parent stock because they are practically little more than 'meat'. I try to keep the rabbits that we eat to be .75 Florida white and .25 NZ white.

That being said...I'd go for the ones with the meatier keel, unless there's something I'm not understanding.

 

[gjensen]

Ron, I would guess that when animals or birds get to eat primarily what God intended them to eat they thrive.

Kind of.

God made Jungle Fowl and made them for their environment and role there.

We took them and turned them into what they are now, and expect more production from them. The basic requirements are the same, but they and the feed they have been selected on is different. If we brought them back where they come from and turned them loose, they would not last long. LOL.

I get what you are saying though. I am convinced that when they are fed a good balanced ration and then allowed to forage much of their own, they are better for it. They finish balancing the ration themselves, so to speak. I think the best supplement that we can give them is opening the door.

I also think there is something to be said for food that is "alive".

 

[Arielle]

Quote: George I pretty much agree with you.