BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[bramblefir]

Is everyone ready for the big holiday weekend coming up?!!!!

I suppose. We bought sparklers for our daughter and that's about as exciting as we're going to get. We're far enough out in the country that we only hear the occasional boom during the night.

 

[JRNash]

Taking the wife and mother-in-law to my folks house and frying catfish

 

[hellbender]

Taking the wife and mother-in-law to my folks house and frying catfish

Did they gig them in their front yard? Sorry.....just a feeble attempt at flood-humor...

 

[MBK Farm]

Is everyone ready for the big holiday weekend coming up?!!!!

Yep, the local community already did their fireworks display over the river so we'll be setting our initial group of eggs for the farm on Friday! The wife has the 3rd off in observance of the July 4th holiday so we'll be driving to pick up hatching eggs. Picking up a dozen eggs each; barred rock (utility line), Delaware and copper maran. This initial set of eggs marks the launch of our farm's poultry division. Pretty exciting stuff!

 

[dfr1973]

Picking up a dozen eggs each; barred rock (utility line), Delaware and copper maran.

Are those from Luanne? I am driving out there today to pick up a bunch of cull cockerels she is giving me for caponizing practice. Great gal.

 

[gjensen]

From the list of breeds you have I would say that the production RIR and Hamburg should be some of your most productive layers. The Hamburgs lay small eggs, but are wonderfully alert and hardy birds. Production RIR are used as parent stock for the red sexlinks.

The best winter layers always seem to be pullets going into their first winter. While some breeds are known for their winter laying abilities I don't find that it makes as much difference as age does. However, I'm in a very mild climate and those in colder climates may find that breed and strain makes a bigger difference.

There is variability among strains, as there is among breeds, among flocks, and among individuals.

Inclination to lay during shorter lengths of day is genetic, but none lay as well.

I agree that pullets are better winter layers, and that it is a more important factor than others. That is why it is so important that pullets come into lay at an appropriate time and age. And again that hens molt late, and the length of time that they molt, and then come back into lay is so important. Length of lay is very important, and one of the reasons (not the only reason) that simply counting eggs per week is so useless.

I find the Hamburgs to be relatively efficient layers, generally speaking. They do lay medium sized eggs, but they are also smaller birds. They do not eat as much feed, and especially when they have access to good range. Allowed to range they spend little time in front of a feeder. They are alert, and active. Vigilant, possibly hyper vigilant, they can get off of the ground from ground predators. I like them. I like birds that are productive on less feed.

 

[Our Roost]

Your mention of Gettysburg says it all. Lest we forget all that history braved. My weekend just got better!

 

[dfr1973]

Are those from Luanne? I am driving out there today to pick up a bunch of cull cockerels she is giving me for caponizing practice. Great gal.

I found out from Luanne ... now, where is Candid Camera when we need them? I just wish I could see y'all's faces when you get a look at what Luanne calls her "utility line" BRs.

 

[gjensen]

Hello everybody there.
Too much stuff there to read so I would appreciate if someone would repost main tips and themes.
Im selling eggs. Eggs from sex-links. Had few hatched out of them and are as good layers.
Now Im looking to add pure breed chickens, and cull all bought sex links.
Cull them, cause they immunities ar weak. And my thoughts are that they lay good for 2 years, but for example RIR or Australorp after 2 years of laying will be better layer than sex link hen. Im gonna hatch lot of, mostly laying breeds.


But probably sex-links would be more profitable than RIR, cause RIR weight more and eat more.
But even if in time, when sex link lay 1 egg in day, pure breed lay 1 egg each 2nd day, wont that egg which would be lay less often be more valuable?
So, in future Im gonna mix my breeds, mby mixing RIR hen which weights 2.5-3.0 kgs, its 5.5-.6.5 punds, with some lighter breed, and get as good layer, but a less need for food, you now..
And the theme about good seasonal laying would be great to discuss, for example breeds which lay good in winter, while RIR wont lay anything or I guess every 3 or 4 day, the russian orloff will keep lay every 2nd day..

Breeds Im incubating now is: (P.S, few are just for a good view at my flock, or I just like that breed)


Vorwerk, Barnvelder, Wiandotte, Cream Lebar, Australorp, RIR, Kulang, Russian Orloff, Breakel, Hamburg, Brahma, Jersey giant.

Where are you from?

 

[GhettoRoo]

Where are you from?

Im from Europe, Latvia.