BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[DesertChic]

I'm happy to say that an old friend and classmate came to visit yesterday and wound up staying for lunch. He and dad matriculated from WVU, are politically polar opposites but have remained good friends all these years.

Mr. Coonts lives about 60 miles from us ( perhaps 35 if you're a crow) and his company was thoroughly enjoyed by all and everyone but dad appreciated hearing about some of dad's antics in his early life. Hope he comes back soon.

Jason

That's awesome! That had to lift your dad's spirits after everything that's happened, and probably proved pretty informative for you guys too.

 

[gevshiba]

No... I swear

Keep an eye on this one, he's sneaky

 

[cyborg]

Just tagged and weighed batch #1 of Cornish X chicks at 3 weeks of age. Average weight is 37.45 ounces, with the heaviest being 43.7 oz and the skinniest being 31.25 oz. I googled a Cornish X growth chart, and my birds are significantly heavier than what it shows, both in average weight and individual weight.
I am currently free feeding Nutrena turkey starter at 30% protein. For those of you with meatball experience, is it time to start restricting their feed?

 

[bramblefir]

Just tagged and weighed batch #1 of Cornish X chicks at 3 weeks of age. Average weight is 37.45 ounces, with the heaviest being 43.7 oz and the skinniest being 31.25 oz. I googled a Cornish X growth chart, and my birds are significantly heavier than what it shows, both in average weight and individual weight.
I am currently free feeding Nutrena turkey starter at 30% protein. For those of you with meatball experience, is it time to start restricting their feed?

I feed mine 2x daily starting from the get go. I would recommend switching them to 2x daily now and consider feeding a lower protein feed. Mine is 19%.

 

[cyborg]

Just tagged and weighed batch #1 of Cornish X chicks at 3 weeks of age. Average weight is 37.45 ounces, with the heaviest being 43.7 oz and the skinniest being 31.25 oz. I googled a Cornish X growth chart, and my birds are significantly heavier than what it shows, both in average weight and individual weight.

I am currently free feeding Nutrena turkey starter at 30% protein. For those of you with meatball experience, is it time to start restricting their feed?

I feed mine 2x daily starting from the get go. I would recommend switching them to 2x daily now and consider feeding a lower protein feed. Mine is 19%.

OK, sounds like a plan! I have a bunch of 22% starter/grower I have been feeding to my "normal" chicks, I will use that for now, but on a restricted basis.

On another topic, I banded these birds this morning with some letter beads I found on Amazon. They are 1/4" square hard plastic beads that will do the job. But, in today's mail, I received my order of numbered beads from @lpatelski, and they are far better! They are some kind of semi hard rubbery material, and are rounded on the outside edges. Already sent her a thank you note, and a heads up that I will be ordering more. These are far better than anything else I've found.

 

[cyborg]

@bramblefir do you go by the 15 minute rule for feeding?

 

[bramblefir]

@bramblefir do you go by the 15 minute rule for feeding?

Actually I just fill up a 3qt feed scoop and call it good. But the 15 minute rule is probably a more accurate measurement.

Edited to Add: I don't put the feed in a feeder either (after 2 weeks). I just scatter it on the ground and make them work to find it. When they're old enough to join the main flock they'll be used to me tossing their feed outside where they have to leave the coop and run to get it.

 

[gevshiba]

One of my Speckled Sussex went broody-yeah! I think she's about done being broody-boo! We'll see. I'm not there to keep an eye on her (at a friend's) and my friend just left for a dog show (national so she's gone 2 weeks). He husband can't be expected to report on my luke warm broody chicken. On a good and productive note, my 3 turkey hens are sitting pretty on their nests and the brooder chicks and poults are getting close to getting kicked out to the coop.

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

Quote: I was just thinking some hard thoughts about this today. I really need to curtail all my "neat ideas" about colors, etc., and get back to essential goals for my birds, since I have limited space for them. I need to get to numbers of adults that are more practical for my goals (including limiting breeding groups) - I can only do so many projects all at once!!!

EXAMPLE

Your dog totally looks like he's waiting for his snack!!!!

- Ant Farm

 

[DesertChic]

I was just thinking some hard thoughts about this today. I really need to curtail all my "neat ideas" about colors, etc., and get back to essential goals for my birds, since I have limited space for them. I need to get to numbers of adults that are more practical for my goals (including limiting breeding groups) - I can only do so many projects all at once!!!


- Ant Farm

I keep telling myself this too. So far I've discovered that my logical side simply isn't as persuasive as my imaginative side.