BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[Beer can]

I've talked to some different breeders and they also encouraged higher protein for certain or most of their flock. I'm learning something new everyday!

Stay on here, you'll learn something new everyday, ,

 

[draye]

I'd like to tap the experienced folks here for advice. I have my 10 New Hampshires and 13 Naked Necks on Purina Flock Raiser (20% protein), plus what they get in their tractor moved daily (no free ranging quite yet). They are just under 9 weeks old. Goals for these birds: All New Hampshires will go to freezer, as will some of the Naked Necks. Some of the Naked Necks will be kept as the origin of a meat flock (the remaining also to ultimately go to freezer camp). All are fed the same feed (coop for the NN keepers not finished yet). 

Is it "ok" to keep them on the 20% protein feed (Flock Raiser), which is working well, and is indicated "for meat birds" per package, or would it be prudent to find a way to separate out some of my NN pullets out and begin to feed them a grower ration (decreased protein). Note that I am not focused on egg production for these birds specifically (I'll have plenty as it is) - I just want to ensure their good and proper growth as future breeders. 

I've got books galore, but am also interested from y'all's experience in the sense of "breeding for production". Looking for opinions - share 'em if you got 'em!

- Ant Farm

(To clarify: It is not that egg production isn't important, per se, it's that I personally will have tons of eggs, and that the primary focus for these birds will be meat production - so choices that may affect an individual pullet's future productivity egg-wise, independent of genetics, are less important that making sure I don't impair their breeding ability - if they are different.)

I was feeding a Game Bird non-medicated feed. I do not and never feed medicated feed, I've lost too many using that crude. Anyway I have switched to Flock Raiser both are 20%. Flock Raiser and the Game Bird.

I feed that all the way through until 16 to 17 weeks then put them on Layer Pellets. It has not affected them. As soon as they show interest I do throw them scraps of bread every now and then.

 

[DesertChic]

I turned on lights.

Getting over the molt more likely increased production for you.

Going over 18% protein is supposed to lower production.

Mine just started their molt. They're getting balder each day. Only one of my girls went through the molt early.

 

[bramblefir]

Happy Veteran's Day to all the veterans! My own veteran received much teasing from me this morning when he used an umbrella to go up to the barn. It was barely spitting. He was in the Navy and was born and raised in Western Oregon - umbrella should not be in his vocabulary.

 

[ronott1]

Mine just started their molt. They're getting balder each day. Only one of my girls went through the molt early. 

Flickr raiser is perfect now.

 

[Kassaundra]

Today is freezer camp day, man have I been spoiled by the rabbits. Working on my last boy (roolet) for today.

 

[hellbender]

Today is freezer camp day, man have I been spoiled by the rabbits. Working on my last boy (roolet) for today.

Lucky you... We still have several birds to dress and haven't even begun with the rabbits. We've still got a week or so before things get critical but I don't like to cut it this close. Calling in help for the weekend to try and get everything cleaned up.

 

[eyralis]

Hi guys! A quick update on our San Francisco Super Breed project- and thanks for all your suggestions. (We wanted to create a breed that is super quiet, super friendly, good layers, cold hardy and rather compact).

Here's what we decided to go with in the end:
Faverolles (bantam)
Bielefelder
Olandsk

We'll be crossing these three breeds over several generations to benefit from hybrid vigor in addition to each breed's advantages. Really excited to see what comes out!

 

[eyralis]

Since my chickens decided to eat all the kale I'd grown for them in one fell swoop,

Oh!!' How do you get them to eat kale? I can't get them to touch it! Stalks or leaves?

 

[Kassaundra]

Lucky you... We still have several birds to dress and haven't even begun with the rabbits. We've still got a week or so before things get critical but I don't like to cut it this close. Calling in help for the weekend to try and get everything cleaned up.

I've got more rabbits to do, but really needed to get some of the older boys done. I didn't caponize this year b/c I knew I was going to switch head the head roo, so needed to grow out the boys to choose which one was going to work for me.