BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[hellbender]

Just finished putting 270 odd bails of alfalfa in the barn. This is the most I've ever had to pay for it and I suspect there is no chance of the price going down any time soon. At least this is very high quality goods and the bales average 65 to 70 pounds. Couldn't have had a better day to get it delivered.

Chickens will be eating some chopped alfalfa this winter. It's got too much BANG for them this time of year, even if they would eat it.

Edit to correct spelling...getting older and dumber!!!

 

[Beer can]

I get alfalfa clover and dandelion from neighbors field for our chickens. They eat as much as I give them even with a full feed dish. Never thought of feeding them it in the winter. Dairy farmer does baleage with it though, plastic wrapped round bales while still wet. They also chop it and fill their bunkers.
They say deer can't and won't eat dry hay bales but I've seen them kick open and destroy baleage when pickings get slim in the winter. Don't know if chickens would eat it.

 

[hellbender]

I get alfalfa clover and dandelion from neighbors field for our chickens. They eat as much as I give them even with a full feed dish. Never thought of feeding them it in the winter. Dairy farmer does baleage with it though, plastic wrapped round bales while still wet. They also chop it and fill their bunkers.
They say deer can't and won't eat dry hay bales but I've seen them kick open and destroy baleage when pickings get slim in the winter. Don't know if chickens would eat it.

I don't know who 'they' are @Beer can, but I've seen whitetail deer eat from round bales and busted square bales that was in a goat feeder. Only seen it 2 or 3 times but who knows how often it happens?

 

[cyborg]

I don't know who 'they' are @Beer can, but I've seen whitetail deer eat from round bales and busted square bales that was in a goat feeder.  Only seen it 2 or 3 times but who knows how often it happens? 

X2. Especially in winter.

 

[cyborg]

Haven't been on a lot the last week or so, had a windstorm that pretty much demolished the west end of my chicken palace. With the extra time off for Labor Day, I now have all the pens rebuilt, but the roof still needs work over 2 of the pens. Here are some before and after pics......

 

[doubleleft]

Haven't been on a lot the last week or so, had a windstorm that pretty much demolished the west end of my chicken palace. With the extra time off for Labor Day, I now have all the pens rebuilt, but the roof still needs work over 2 of the pens. Here are some before and after pics......

Haven't been on a lot the last week or so, had a windstorm that pretty much demolished the west end of my chicken palace. With the extra time off for Labor Day, I now have all the pens rebuilt, but the roof still needs work over 2 of the pens. Here are some before and after pics......

That was a wicked wind & damage ...... hope you and your birds were ok .

Your set-up is beautiful !!!
What material are you using on the roofs of your areas ?
I love the white color / does it help with the heat ?
Center looks solid topped , but (?) lol .

 

[hellbender]

Haven't been on a lot the last week or so, had a windstorm that pretty much demolished the west end of my chicken palace. With the extra time off for Labor Day, I now have all the pens rebuilt, but the roof still needs work over 2 of the pens. Here are some before and after pics......

Man...I'm sorry for what happened to you...it has forced some mind changes around here!

 

[hellbender]

I can take this kind of picture...nothing is moving around on me!









We haven't seen any down low this year but in the 3rd pic, you can see part of what is a large rattle snake den. We've had a lot of rain so there's been no reason for them to come down...following their food.

I mentioned before that I used to hunt them for spending money when I was much younger but I wouldn't kill one now for anything. If we do see one around the house, (not very often), we catch it and carry it back up to the ridge...about 1.5 miles from the house.

 

[dfr1973]

Only one chick from under the neighbor's hen. Sunday morning we heard the hen making a racket and all upset - apparently her nest was being robbed as the eggs started pipping. Bummer, but a known risk when letting a broody pick where she'll nest. I have 27 eggs in the incubator, 12 Wyandotte and 15 Meaties.

 

[hellbender]

Only one chick from under the neighbor's hen. Sunday morning we heard the hen making a racket and all upset - apparently her nest was being robbed as the eggs started pipping. Bummer, but a known risk when letting a broody pick where she'll nest. I have 27 eggs in the incubator, 12 Wyandotte and 15 Meaties.

I'm going to have to watch these Dark Cornish...they are known for a wild streak and are prone to do their own thing when going broody. The greatest enemy for such nests here would be my 'night dogs'. Even if they didn't try to kill the hen (I believe they would), they would surely ruin the nest.