BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[gjensen]

That's why we like the value-added of caponization.

The capon has the potential of overcoming their own deficiency in that they are a unique niche product occupied by themselves.

 

[gjensen]

These numbers are interesting. Are these for your NHs? So, for a 5 month old *bantam* Silkie cockerel $15 is in the black. Cool.

No. None of that was for bantams. None of that was said for your benefit.

 

[gjensen]

Yeah, now that I have a better handle on things, I'm going to track feed as well as weight next hatch (unless I end up using a broody, which might complicate things...)

I'm pulling the plug on my smaller-than-I'd-like hatchery New Hampshire frat boys at around 14 weeks, this weekend. I keep telling myself that it does NOT make sense to wait and hope they'll get bigger. (Also, they're starting to pick on each other). So your post is very timely in reminding me of this. I'll be culling the two smallest NN boys as well - they're being a PIA anyway - Sweetie got another gash (great that she's so naked, but not great that she gets these...)

- Ant Farm

That is the easy part. Just divide the feed by the birds. Unless you want to see what they are eating and when, which is the same, calculated weekly.

I would not feed most hatchery NHs. They are useless, and not competitive enough layers to compete with the other lightweight layers. There are a couple that are more serviceable, but not worth mentioning here.

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

That is the easy part. Just divide the feed by the birds. Unless you want to see what they are eating and when, which is the same, calculated weekly.

I would not feed most hatchery NHs. They are useless, and not competitive enough layers to compete with the other lightweight layers. There are a couple that are more serviceable, but not worth mentioning here.

Yes, I'm afraid I have learned this the hard way (though I haven't bothered checking on egg production). Obvious even to my inexperienced eye...

- Ant Farm

 

[hellbender]

Yes, I'm afraid I have learned this the hard way (though I haven't bothered checking on egg production). Obvious even to my inexperienced eye...

- Ant Farm

I believe I suggested you pinch their cute little necks before they had even feathered out. Live and learn.

 

[CanadianBuckeye]

I still haven't read through this entire thread, but I was wondering if the topic of Mycoplasma and its deleterious effects on production have been discussed? I'm trying to decide if it's worth making the effort to eliminate it from my flock.

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

I believe I suggested you pinch their cute little necks before they had even feathered out. Live and learn.

Yes, you did. But I decided to feed them as future dinner - in the end, this order had originally been intended as CXs, and then got switched when the NNs were available. I wanted something for the freezer and so even when I decided to cull them all, I decided to let them grow out. Probably not very efficient, but as I've actually not ever harvested before, I've gotta start somewhere. Lesson learned.

I've been fortunate that up until now, I had only one crowing Naked Neck (Bane) and one little kazoo in the New Hampshire pen (in addition to the older Cream Legbar cockerel). This morning I woke up to what was probably at least 4 or 5 different crows - what a racket! Good thing that all NHs and smallest two NNs are going to freezer camp this weekend.

- Ant Farm

 

[DesertChic]

Yes, you did. But I decided to feed them as future dinner - in the end, this order had originally been intended as CXs, and then got switched when the NNs were available. I wanted something for the freezer and so even when I decided to cull them all, I decided to let them grow out. Probably not very efficient, but as I've actually not ever harvested before, I've gotta start somewhere. Lesson learned.

I've been fortunate that up until now, I had only one crowing Naked Neck (Bane) and one little kazoo in the New Hampshire pen (in addition to the older Cream Legbar cockerel). This morning I woke up to what was probably at least 4 or 5 different crows - what a racket! Good thing that all NHs and smallest two NNs are going to freezer camp this weekend.

- Ant Farm

You're lucky it's taken this long for them to start crowing. I heard my first kazoo call from my 9-week old NNs, and with so many cockerels in that group....I think I'll snag some extra ear plugs from our business.

 

[bramblefir]

I still haven't read through this entire thread, but I was wondering if the topic of Mycoplasma and its deleterious effects on production have been discussed? I'm trying to decide if it's worth making the effort to eliminate it from my flock.

I don't believe it has come up as a topic as of yet, but I would definitely eliminate it from your flock. Respiratory illnesses in fowl are bad news especially when they are passed on as easily as MG. An infected/carrier hen passes it into her eggs, which when hatched have it, and so the cycle goes. Also if you sell any live poultry you run the risk of spreading it off your farm (it can also be carried on your shoes, etc.). In my opinion, there's no reason for a responsible breeder to keep a diseased flock.

 

[Kassaundra]

You're lucky it's taken this long for them to start crowing. I heard my first kazoo call from my 9-week old NNs, and with so many cockerels in that group....I think I'll snag some extra ear plugs from our business.

My boys have always been really slow to start crowing too, which I am eternally thankful for.