BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[Heron's Nest Farm]

Today I took my rainbow layers that were housed in my coop to my buddy who wants some chickens running around the place. I still need to catch the last 4 or 5 that are running about my barn. My buddy milks organic, grain free cows so the chickens will feel at home. The only problem is they won't be finding any corn in the cow poop like they can at my place!

I need to clean out the coop so I can move my Delawares in. Should I be concerned at all with how clean I can get it? I was just going to scrap the floor and let it dry out, then move the new birds into the coop.

I clean everything out and like to let everything dry. I then spray anything wood with neem oil. Once that has sat a day I lime the whole place down. If you have a wood floor I recommend creating a water and ag lime solution and flooding your floor with it so it soaks in. Again let dry before adding litter and returning the hens.

Maybe it's overkill but I think this makes sense. I have a breeding area that I will clean out and keep vacant for 3-5 months to allow the death of disease and pathogens. Of course I have the room with multiple chicken areas.

Not everyone does!

 

[Arielle]

Quote:
Ron would you expand on this??

Which is top and which is on the bottom? ANd what happens in the next generation? Or is this a terminal cross???

 

[hellbender]

Ron would you expand on this??

Which is top and which is on the bottom? ANd what happens in the next generation? Or is this a terminal cross???

To be forthright, to your query or request for me to expound on my statement would be difficult at this point as it requires several complex mathematical equations and explanation thereof and I'm not mentally or physically prepared to take a swing at it at this moment. I'm tired, sleepy and in fairly severe pain but I promise to take a swing at it very soon.

I am far from a math phenom so I will have to depend on work of others to put this in order.

(How do I get myself into sheit like this)....But my basic premise IS Correct!!!

I do have the presence of mind to say without reservation that the process is terminal at the F-1 generation, unless I were to bring in another related breed to breed to the F-1 offspring. That too would be using one particular gender over the other; the F-1 bird would be a hen covered by a cock of the other breed...Out for tonight!!!

 

[RedRidge]

Originally Posted by gjensen 
 I thoroughly clean everything as part of a rotation. Not as much for a fear of transmission (believing that exposure has already occurred), but a matter of control. Good poultry management includes the management of a build up of pathogens and parasites. Level of exposure is relevant. Where the birds may tolerate a limited exposure, there is a level where they may eventually succumb. If I choose to do it, then I perform it to the best of my ability. Otherwise I do not know that my efforts were worth much at all. Particularly with things that I cannot see.

 I thoroughly dry clean. Then I give it a thorough wet clean (soap and water). I let it sit, and air dry. Then I thoroughly disinfect with a compound that does not deteriorate upon exposure to organic materials (like bleach).

 In the long run, I believe we are better for it.

I guess my problem with this building is that it's an old shed I got from my uncle that has a wooden floor.  I can wash it but there's nowhere for water to run and I'm not sure how long the floor will last.

We use only dirt floors for a variety of reasons. The trick is putting them on high ground so drainage is away from pen. No moisture = little to no problems

 

[hellbender]

We use only dirt floors for a variety of reasons. The trick is putting them on high ground so drainage is away from pen. No moisture = little to no problems

That's exactly what we did with the new building last summer.

 

[gjensen]

We use only dirt floors for a variety of reasons. The trick is putting them on high ground so drainage is away from pen. No moisture = little to no problems

I do to. Placed smartly, and the interior grade built up, I find this option superior. We have very sandy soil as in six feet deep sandy soil, and that helps. I very small trench on three sides, draining to the low side helps to keep the interior dry as well.

I use deep bedding on dirt (sand) in the permanent structures. I do not like wood floors. Other than ease of cleaning, if there was a red mite infestation to get established, they would be much harder to treat. Also when they are too low to the ground, it becomes a hide out for rodents.

I also like the structure to be exposed on the interior and painted with a good grade of paint. The interior being painted white.

 

[hellbender]

I do to. Placed smartly, and the interior grade built up, I find this option superior. We have very sandy soil as in six feet deep sandy soil, and that helps. I very small trench on three sides, draining to the low side helps to keep the interior dry as well.

I use deep bedding on dirt (sand) in the permanent structures. I do not like wood floors. Other than ease of cleaning, if there was a red mite infestation to get established, they would be much harder to treat. Also when they are too low to the ground, it becomes a hide out for rodents.

I also like the structure to be exposed on the interior and painted with a good grade of paint. The interior being painted white.

As mentioned before our first buildings that have been used for decades are converted cow milk parlors with concrete floors. No one in their right mind could consider trying to chop out 8 inch concrete floors..lolol So concrete they will stay.

We finally eliminated our laying flock so for the most part, these buildings will likely be used only for storage and/or some over-flow with our 'projects' in the new building but I don't imagine ever getting back to the numbers we used to carry.

 

[gjensen]

As mentioned before our first buildings that have been used for decades are converted cow milk parlors with concrete floors. No one in their right mind could consider trying to chop out 8 inch concrete floors..lolol So concrete they will stay.

We finally eliminated our laying flock so for the most part, these buildings will likely be used only for storage and/or some over-flow with our 'projects' in the new building but I don't imagine ever getting back to the numbers we used to carry.

There are many advantages to a concrete floor. There is no perfect, only preferences. All have hang ups and advantages.

If I had buildings with concrete floors, my birds would be on concrete floors.

It isn't to say that that wood is not an option. Personally, I got away from them over time.

 

[Arielle]

Quote:
Ron, a simple answer is enough for me. Is this right: THe hen is the buckeye and the dk Cornish is the male? WHat do you see in the cross that is better than the reverse?? Hope you are feeling better SOOON.

 

[hellbender]

Quote:



Ron, a simple answer is enough for me. Is this right: THe hen is the buckeye and the dk Cornish is the male? WHat do you see in the cross that is better than the reverse??

Hope you are feeling better SOOON.

That would/will be the second cross for me but my F-1 generation will be the result of Turken hen covered by a buckeye cock.

Most folks aren't awareof the outstanding meat qualities of the Turken/NakedNeck.