BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[LindaB220]

Okay @Arielle I found the one I wanted. This might suit you better.

http://www.avianaquamiser.com/posts/Protein_content_in_chicken_feed_ingredients/

 

[LindaB220]

Just a quick note to tell you that my SG Dorking eggs are cancelled. A limb fell on the run and scared the girls so bad that everybody went into an immediate molt. Refunding my money until next spring.

 

[bmvf]

I started another batch of eggs in the incubator and they started hatching Thursday evening. I forgot to write down the start date, I had thought they would be hatching this coming Tuesday. So they hatched on the egg turning trays until I removed it. Some shells were sticking to the chicks and a few needed assistance as even I had a hard time removing shells. I read that sticky shells were a sign of low humidity so I added a little water. I was amazed at how quick that changed things! So far 12 out of 20 are hatched. I think a couple more eggs may hatch. I am sure there are a few double yoke eggs among the unhatched.

My New Hampshires are soon going to start laying. There are a few obviously large males that I need critique for breeding stock. I should have culled the unneeded roos a few weeks ago but times were busy here. I also had other birds to process.

 

[Arielle]

Okay @Arielle I found the one I wanted. This might suit you better.

http://www.avianaquamiser.com/posts/Protein_content_in_chicken_feed_ingredients/

Thanks Linda--- these are similar to the one I was looking for!!

 

[LindaB220]

I got my birds separated for now. The 10 6mo pullets that I'm selling And the 6 2-3 mo old Sapphire blue egg layers. I'm keeping my only Coronation Sussex and 2 Sapphires along with my 5 very good Blosl and XW white plymouth rocks. I have an add on CL now and I hope to he// that I can get them sold. The older pullets just started laying but they are hatchery and I want the space. I still have 10 of the 2 and 3 mo old roosters. blue egg gene but they have leghorn in them and will not caponize well. They get so upset at being confined that they stroke out. So I'm going to process and practice at the same time. I saw a really good set of pics on poulardizing on Graphic Pics on my day of learning to caponize.

 

[Turk Raphael]

I received an e-mail when I got home, 'strongly' suggesting that I "skin yourself out of the rabbit suit". It was said in gentle terms but I got the point. Apparently dad thinks people might mistake my posts for his.

So, I will change my avatar to something else, sooner or later. I was really getting comfortable with it. I could continue to use it but no point in rocking the boat...this close to vacation!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love my job but it is especially stressful at this point in time. Management is floating the idea of two RNs being outfitted and prepared for any prospective patient coming in, symptomatic of contagious diseases. I'm not sure it's a bad idea but I think someone should come in there with the expertise to get everyone up to speed for what could blow up in our faces.

We have everything ready for our 'meat bird project'. Neither the Buckeyes nor the Dark Cornish are quick to mature but I love their personalities. I had only planned to use Buckeyes and Turkens/Naked Necks but the more I watch these Dark Cornish cockerels, the more I think they may have a roll to play.

The final tally on the cockerels that I caponized is 7 down, from a total of 25 that I did with out help. I feel certain I will improve with the next batch. By the way, I plan to caponize most of the resulting male chicks from the first first cross and keep a few intact to compare at maturity. It might be good to have some of them to cross back over in some fashion.

I got some really good advice about what kind of incubator to buy and I wish I could use the first suggestion but since I won't need one of such capacity, they came up with a second choice that will work out well for our needs.

Turk

 

[Arielle]

I received an e-mail when I got home, 'strongly' suggesting that I "skin yourself out of the rabbit suit". It was said in gentle terms but I got the point. Apparently dad thinks people might mistake my posts for his.

So, I will change my avatar to something else, sooner or later. I was really getting comfortable with it. I could continue to use it but no point in rocking the boat...this close to vacation!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love my job but it is especially stressful at this point in time. Management is floating the idea of two RNs being outfitted and prepared for any prospective patient coming in, symptomatic of contagious diseases. I'm not sure it's a bad idea but I think someone should come in there with the expertise to get everyone up to speed for what could blow up in our faces.

We have everything ready for our 'meat bird project'. Neither the Buckeyes nor the Dark Cornish are quick to mature but I love their personalities. I had only planned to use Buckeyes and Turkens/Naked Necks but the more I watch these Dark Cornish cockerels, the more I think they may have a roll to play.

The final tally on the cockerels that I caponized is 7 down, from a total of 25 that I did with out help. I feel certain I will improve with the next batch. By the way, I plan to caponize most of the resulting male chicks from the first first cross and keep a few intact to compare at maturity. It might be good to have some of them to cross back over in some fashion.

I got some really good advice about what kind of incubator to buy and I wish I could use the first suggestion but since I won't need one of such capacity, they came up with a second choice that will work out well for our needs.

Turk

I have to admit I did a double take when I saw the crazy white rabbit-- but when I read the post, knew you had borrowed the crazy rabbit from ROn. LOL But his advice is worth considering.

the ebola scare is making people crazy. Fortunately we have the capacity to stop it and it will never be even remotely close to the ridiculous outbreak in Africa. You have far greater risks from other contagions that are already here. I anticipate that our borders will be closed at some point--- as other smart countries have done.

Practice makes perfect---

I use an LG and that is what works for me, and a home made jobby. Otherwise I am planning to use a few broodies next year instead . . .though they are often late to the party and get rolling mid summer and not in the early spring. . . . What was your second choice??

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:

Compare cattle and sheep...
I can produce 2 meat lambs per ewe in 10 months time. That's conception to slaughter weight. That's should be easily 4 every 2 years. A cow will only produce 1 a year AND it takes almost 3 years for that steer to get from conception to slaughter. Now yes... The cow is pregnant again during that steers growth. But she still produces only 1 a year and it still takes 2 full years to raise a steer from birth and you can raise 4 lambs in that period of time. So... Bottom line... cattle well not bounce back and increase their breeding numbers near as quickly as smaller livestock will. When I sell a lamb off cheap at weaning I loose $200. Wean I sell a steer off cheap at weaning I loose almost $2000

I don't know if I've ever posted on this thread before but I do skim and read.

@RedRidge
If I wanted to get a couple lambs to raise for meat, what would be the best way to find a good source? Also, will sheep browse like goats or do they need just grass pasture?

I'd love to get a couple "feeders" for a season just to decide if I would want to continue raising them. If I decided I wanted to continue, then I'd buy better breeding stock. The numbers you are stating look very attractive to me.

We were still able to get grass fed beef at $2.69 hanging weight this summer, but I have a pasture that just goes to waste that I'd like to use around here. I always feel like I'm wasting food by just cutting it like a lawn. I've considered feeder beef but even for that the price seems prohibitive compared to what I can purchase the meat for here since I have a good source.

 

[Arielle]

I'm dont mean to take away f rom RR response only to add that I have raised sheep for years. Try to find a local sheep organization as it is a good resource to finding good stock. Just because it is cheap doesnt make it worth your time. Cross breds are a good choice for many reasons.

Years ago I had sheep that grazed with goats and they learned to browse. When I moved the sheep flock they eventually lost some of the tendency to stand on their hind legs to browse, but mine with clear everything up to with in r each of a stretched neck if I need an area stripped.

There are several breeds of sheep that are good hardy producers. If you are not intersted in the wool aspect there are those that are short or more goat like. ANd depending on feed available, twins and triplets are prefered. I used to keep records on my ewes: number of lambs lambed and weaned, problems birthing. I cullled those with lambing issues, and kept stock from the better producing ewes.

When I talked to the young man who bought 2 of my ewes a couple years ago, he was thrilled to tell me the girls wean 2 lambs a year for him with no problems. I might buy some stock back from him at some point, as I lost the ram last month and only have 2 daughters to carry on.

My suggestion also is to look at what you plan for graze and grain if any, and time of year to lamb, then decide on a breed, or mix of breeds.

Oh-- and becareful where you buy----I will not buy show stock. Nor from most auctions. Go right to the breeder.

 

[LindaB220]

I received an e-mail when I got home, 'strongly' suggesting that I "skin yourself out of the rabbit suit". It was said in gentle terms but I got the point. Apparently dad thinks people might mistake my posts for his.

So, I will change my avatar to something else, sooner or later. I was really getting comfortable with it. I could continue to use it but no point in rocking the boat...this close to vacation!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love my job but it is especially stressful at this point in time. Management is floating the idea of two RNs being outfitted and prepared for any prospective patient coming in, symptomatic of contagious diseases. I'm not sure it's a bad idea but I think someone should come in there with the expertise to get everyone up to speed for what could blow up in our faces.

We have everything ready for our 'meat bird project'. Neither the Buckeyes nor the Dark Cornish are quick to mature but I love their personalities. I had only planned to use Buckeyes and Turkens/Naked Necks but the more I watch these Dark Cornish cockerels, the more I think they may have a roll to play.

The final tally on the cockerels that I caponized is 7 down, from a total of 25 that I did with out help. I feel certain I will improve with the next batch. By the way, I plan to caponize most of the resulting male chicks from the first first cross and keep a few intact to compare at maturity. It might be good to have some of them to cross back over in some fashion.

I got some really good advice about what kind of incubator to buy and I wish I could use the first suggestion but since I won't need one of such capacity, they came up with a second choice that will work out well for our needs.

Turk

Oh, My Gawd, don't rock the boat. Bahahahaha. So proud of you on your caponizing. Very good rating. Tell Dad and Bubba hi.

I'm really feeling good about my white rocks. My best pullet is the Blosl and two of the XW's are good. The cockerel is outstanding. One of the XW's is going to another home as I don't plan on breeding her. I'm giving her to my fellow that is building my new coop. Money is a little short so this will be his tip. I'm wanting to have him build me some raised beds for gardening this year. About 20" high with 6" tall wooden logs on the bottom. Hugelkultur. Gotta love it. I'll be modifying it by adding sticks on top, then manure. and coffee grounds, dog hair, lots of leaves and then a lot of compost. Lasagna. . I've got it, a LaHugel bed.