BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[Turk Raphael]

It helps me greatly that my wife does the feeding. My daughter helps collect eggs and my son is always eager to help round up any loose birds!

The rainbow layers are in a PVC chicken tractor which I built a couple of weeks ago. I want to build a better one that for the NH's. After only 2 days the CX's and Pioneers are stinking up the house. I changed newspaper yesterday but that didn't help much. Also, the laundry room where they are being kept is getting some remodeling done which is a spur of the moment thing. I would eventually like to put the meat birds in another tractor but we'll see how much I can get done. I'm kinda wishing I never got those hatchery rainbow layers.....I just don't need them.

If you read my posts above, you see that I'm at least considering doing something kinda' crazy but on the good foot, the new birds, "should I decide to accept this mission" are the same type and age so they can be kept in the same grow-out pens. I hope you don't mind me asking questions about your projects? I wonder why you get CXs and Pioneers? I know they are both meat birds that grow at what must be dramatically different speeds but it does seem a bit redundant or perhaps over kill. I know that all chicks stink if you don't keep right on the cleaning. I kept my dark Cornish on news papers for about two weeks (easy to get) but that got old fast! We ran the used papers through the mulcher/shreader on the mulch pile but they really began to stink fast while they were under the chicks. Things got so much easier when we finally put them on shavings!!!!!

Sorry..getting disjointed here...I have seen the Cornish Xs a few times but only in those large houses. I'm afraid I just couldn't deal with what appears to be a breed of chicken that is born to be early cripples and drop manure like a B-52 bomber.

You seem to have it under control! I'm still in awe of your work and efforts.

 

[LindaB220]

I received an un-nerving call from my brother this morning, wanting to give me the 85 odd chicks that we saw over the weekend. He tells me he is covered up and wants some relief before dad gets home. He is willing to throw in the female pup that I had originally wanted but will not take back the male. On top of that, he is willing to bring the birds in the 4'X12'X2' brooder, including top. He has a 3'4 ton diesel with a topper that can be air conditioned...whats more...he's offering 800 pounds of Purina Chick Starter as added incentive.

I'm not sure I haven't dreamed this because I'm extremely sleep deprived. I will talk to my partner this evening to get his input. I do know he loved those little chicks..Oh...one more incentive...he's willing to throw in enough 4 foot Premier electric poultry netting to increase our chick-fenced area to 9 acres...up from 3. It is used but only for one season and is said to be like new and with many extra support poles.

This would demolish the ONE Breed At a Time Policy All to Hell!!!!

The bad part is ...he wants to deliver them to our farm over this coming week end. Thank God, there are no baby goats available now or I'm certain they would be crammed into the truck as well. One part of me is thrilled and another part is screaming 'Absolutely NOT'. That is just about what I expect to hear from Raphael and all the friends I have who will hear of it.

This pressure is actually burning me...I'm sweating with the thermostat on 70 and this old cinder block building covered with a brick facade is really well insulated. I'm just feeling pressure because I really liked al the birds. Don't know if the RIRs are included since they were being held for a friend. I suppose it won't matter...there are only 25 pullets...in for a penny...in for a pound.

. Any help or advice?

Take it and say "Thank you very much, Bro". He obviously needs to do this for you. You can sell or dispose of them later.

 

[Arielle]

Turk-- I ventured into cornish x 2x last summer . . . just an extreme kind of chicken really. The poo is big because they eat a lot. In the end I bet they produce less poo in 10 weeks than other chickens do in 6 months . . . . ANd yes their fast growth requires some thought, more than a new person delving into chickens oughta try. ( Not sayin' you are new, referring to other that might be reading)

Dogs-- yup-- my next will be a girl and NOT fixed. DO to a family history of reacting to knock out drugs, I did not fix my girl. Had all the males fixed though-- and that did not mellow the rotties by much. lol You can buy panties for the 2 times of year she needs extra care . . . . .

I had a breeder call me saying they have a little due this month of curley coated retreivers . . . . I really want that or a chessie. . .


Time--- remember to keep some time for non-farm fun . . . what is life without some fun.

Keep talking out your options . . . as the date comes closer perhaps the pot could be sweetened depending on how desperate the other party is . . . .

 

[Turk Raphael]

Take it and say "Thank you very much, Bro". He obviously needs to do this for you. You can sell or dispose of them later.

Thanks for the advice! However, I get the impression he really wants to get rid of the chicks. You have no idea what an operation they have going on there and these 85 or so chicks aren't a drop in the bucket. It would be cheaper for him to simply 'delete' them but he was adamant about keeping that big, burly female pup, since there were only 3 of them in a litter of 13, I think. If I didn't know him better, I'd be thinking one of her legs was falling off or she will need wheels to get around.

I'm pretty well rested and thinking very seriously of calling and accepting the offer. Farm-fresh, free range eggs are really in demand around this part of the state so I think they could at least pay for their keep. Still don't know why he's offering so much Chick grower feed. I would think they will be over the need fairly soon but I will check on that. The brooder box is 4'X12'X2' and made of 3/4 plywood and made very well and...can be easily diminished in size for starting smaller broods. I can't see any down sides...that's what worries me.

He would never give me a 'painted horse'. It is what he says. So I'm gonna' call about noon and gleefully accept the gifts. I'll even offer to pay fuel costs which will be a waste of breath.

PS...do you think it would be 'gauche' to request a few more of those dressed/frozen birds? JUST KIDDING...but they really are the best chickens I'v ever eaten.

 

[seventreesfarm]

Take it and say "Thank you very much, Bro". He obviously needs to do this for you. You can sell or dispose of them later.

Yeah, a family member makes it different. Sounds like a nice set up if you can get past the initial OMG moments.

It's hard to say no when you are already on the slippery slope.
We just bought some trial meat sheep and only wanted a few. The breeder had 2 ewes and their 6 lambs we wanted to give as a package deal since one ewe abandoned some of her lambs and they would need bottle feeding. The dollar signs flashed before my eyes, but I reined myself in and said no, since I have learned the hard way how making livestock decisions in crisis mode can bite you on the *** HARD!

 

[Turk Raphael]

Yeah, a family member makes it different. Sounds like a nice set up if you can get past the initial OMG moments.

It's hard to say no when you are already on the slippery slope.
We just bought some trial meat sheep and only wanted a few. The breeder had 2 ewes and their 6 lambs we wanted to give as a package deal since one ewe abandoned some of her lambs and they would need bottle feeding. The dollar signs flashed before my eyes, but I reined myself in and said no, since I have learned the hard way how making livestock decisions in crisis mode can bite you on the *** HARD!

I guess I will have to wear jeans around the farm at all times or perhaps Carhartts because I have accepted the offer. Neither of us are in 'crisis mode' because he could have very easily dispatched every one of these chicks without blinking an eye. In his mind, he's doing me a favor and the more I think about it...I realize just how great an offer it is. It will cost him over $200 bucks to make the trip down and back plus, that feed might have been bought at large lot prices but it is not free for him. I feel very excited about it.

Thanks for your response. I agree that it's easy to make a decision in haste and pay hard for it in the long run...We'll just have to see.

I have a 'farm hand' hired for 20 hours per week. He's an older man with experience. He's on Social Security and wants a few bucks to make life a bit smoother. So far he's been great. He know how to operate the steamer with no coaching and I like him...His references are A++++++. Win-Win..I hope. Thanks again.

 

[LindaB220]

I guess I will have to wear jeans around the farm at all times or perhaps Carhartts because I have accepted the offer. Neither of us are in 'crisis mode' because he could have very easily dispatched every one of these chicks without blinking an eye. In his mind, he's doing me a favor and the more I think about it...I realize just how great an offer it is. It will cost him over $200 bucks to make the trip down and back plus, that feed might have been bought at large lot prices but it is not free for him. I feel very excited about it.

Thanks for your response. I agree that it's easy to make a decision in haste and pay hard for it in the long run...We'll just have to see.

I have a 'farm hand' hired for 20 hours per week. He's an older man with experience. He's on Social Security and wants a few bucks to make life a bit smoother. So far he's been great. He know how to operate the steamer with no coaching and I like him...His references are A++++++. Win-Win..I hope. Thanks again.

Turk, that's wonderful news. Definitely a win-win. Bubba looking out for you.

 

[Turk Raphael]

Turk, that's wonderful news. Definitely a win-win. Bubba looking out for you.

Thanks Linda. Turns out there will be a price to pay. We have to take him to Mike Linnigs seafood place for dinner. Not sure it's a good idea because the last time we went there, the quality of the service and food was down a bit but usually, it's one of the best places around to get really good seafood. Sometimes there are long waits but this is one place where being a great tipper pays off. We get the same server every time and he takes care of us. I think hr has worked there for about 50 or so years. The last time we were there was a week-day and our regular guy was off...we will give it a go....

 

[LindaB220]

Thanks Linda. Turns out there will be a price to pay. We have to take him to Mike Linnigs seafood place for dinner. Not sure it's a good idea because the last time we went there, the quality of the service and food was down a bit but usually, it's one of the best places around to get really good seafood. Sometimes there are long waits but this is one place where being a great tipper pays off. We get the same server every time and he takes care of us. I think hr has worked there for about 50 or so years. The last time we were there was a week-day and our regular guy was off...we will give it a go....

At least it will be a price that you'll enjoy paying.

 

[Turk Raphael]

These pics aren't worth showing but I will post one of them that were taken last Sunday.

What the heck...bad is bad...I'll do better next time.