BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[Fire Ant Farm]

Quote:
It's so hard to be good!!!!

 

[DesertChic]

It's so hard to be good!!!!

An soooooo easy to be bad.

 

[ejcrist]

Ever since starting my first flock this past January I've been interested in starting a breeding flock at some point in the future, and now I found this thread so I'm going to subscribe to keep abreast. I'll tell ya, this site has done more to help me in my journey with chickens than every book I've read and everyone I personally talked to so far about raising chickens.

I'm currently raising Barred Rock and Leghorn hens and I'm disappointed that none turned out to be roosters yet. When I ordered them I requested all girls because I thought the neighbors might not like me having a rooster crowing in the mornings but after getting the flock and telling everyone about them my neighbors all said they'd be fine with a wake-up call in the morning. So now I'm thinking again about breeding at some point. It's probably a little late to add a rooster now that my girls are 16 weeks old, although I know you can always try to integrate new members, but I have the two breeds living together and I'd prefer to keep the lines pure if start pairing them up. As a result I'm thinking to build a coop separated into 5 sections along with 5 runs so I'd be able to work with 5 breeding groups. I know it would be a big structure but I'm confident I could build everything so it's sound and predator proof. The birds I think I'd like to breed are Dominiques although I'm not 100% set on them yet since there's a lot of neat breeds out there, and my goal would be for egg production. Since we have a unique (hot) climate here in central AZ I think it would be great to have birds that are adapted to the area, produce reasonably well, and are also a heritage breed that are a bit more scarce than some. I recently got a book first published in 1923 called The Mating and Breeding of Poultry by Harry Lamon, and after skimming through it today it really looks like a great book.

So anyway, just wanted to drop in and say hello. I'll be following this thread with interest.

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

Ever since starting my first flock this past January I've been interested in starting a breeding flock at some point in the future, and now I found this thread so I'm going to subscribe to keep abreast. I'll tell ya, this site has done more to help me in my journey with chickens than every book I've read and everyone I personally talked to so far about raising chickens.

I'm currently raising Barred Rock and Leghorn hens and I'm disappointed that none turned out to be roosters yet. When I ordered them I requested all girls because I thought the neighbors might not like me having a rooster crowing in the mornings but after getting the flock and telling everyone about them my neighbors all said they'd be fine with a wake-up call in the morning. So now I'm thinking again about breeding at some point. It's probably a little late to add a rooster now that my girls are 16 weeks old, although I know you can always try to integrate new members, but I have the two breeds living together and I'd prefer to keep the lines pure if start pairing them up. As a result I'm thinking to build a coop separated into 5 sections along with 5 runs so I'd be able to work with 5 breeding groups. I know it would be a big structure but I'm confident I could build everything so it's sound and predator proof. The birds I think I'd like to breed are Dominiques although I'm not 100% set on them yet since there's a lot of neat breeds out there, and my goal would be for egg production. Since we have a unique (hot) climate here in central AZ I think it would be great to have birds that are adapted to the area, produce reasonably well, and are also a heritage breed that are a bit more scarce than some. I recently got a book first published in 1923 called The Mating and Breeding of Poultry by Harry Lamon, and after skimming through it today it really looks like a great book.

So anyway, just wanted to drop in and say hello. I'll be following this thread with interest.

Welcome!!! A number of us on here have hot climates to contend with, so you have good company.

Lots of good info and advice on this thread.

- Ant Farm

 

[CanadianBuckeye]

Ever since starting my first flock this past January I've been interested in starting a breeding flock at some point in the future, and now I found this thread so I'm going to subscribe to keep abreast. I'll tell ya, this site has done more to help me in my journey with chickens than every book I've read and everyone I personally talked to so far about raising chickens.

I'm currently raising Barred Rock and Leghorn hens and I'm disappointed that none turned out to be roosters yet. When I ordered them I requested all girls because I thought the neighbors might not like me having a rooster crowing in the mornings but after getting the flock and telling everyone about them my neighbors all said they'd be fine with a wake-up call in the morning. So now I'm thinking again about breeding at some point. It's probably a little late to add a rooster now that my girls are 16 weeks old, although I know you can always try to integrate new members, but I have the two breeds living together and I'd prefer to keep the lines pure if start pairing them up. As a result I'm thinking to build a coop separated into 5 sections along with 5 runs so I'd be able to work with 5 breeding groups. I know it would be a big structure but I'm confident I could build everything so it's sound and predator proof. The birds I think I'd like to breed are Dominiques although I'm not 100% set on them yet since there's a lot of neat breeds out there, and my goal would be for egg production. Since we have a unique (hot) climate here in central AZ I think it would be great to have birds that are adapted to the area, produce reasonably well, and are also a heritage breed that are a bit more scarce than some. I recently got a book first published in 1923 called The Mating and Breeding of Poultry by Harry Lamon, and after skimming through it today it really looks like a great book.

So anyway, just wanted to drop in and say hello. I'll be following this thread with interest.

Welcome to the thread! I have learned a lot from here too- and what I found very helpful was the advice to start your project with the very best representatives of the breed you are interested in, that meet your goals. It may take quite a bit of time and frustration trying to locate these birds, but the time spent will be well worth it. Good luck !

 

[hellbender]

"Switching gears here for a moment, I'd like to take exception to a suggestion that feeding rice to chickens is very dangerous for them. We have been feeding brown rice along with the other grains to our chickens for about 2 years now with no deleterious effect to the health or performance of any of our birds. In fact, we think doing so could be beneficial to the viability of the cock bird's semen strength. This is purely anecdotal because we have performed not even the most cursory testing.....just our notions based upon the lack of failure in that segment of our flocks.

We feed fermented grain products, including the brown rice, on a year-'round basis, changing up the combination/ratio according to the season. We feed no whole or cracked corn to our birds in the warmer months.....just because. We don't ferment any of the commercial feeds because it is just too much trouble for us to mess with and the birds (and dogs) are still fed the Recipe on a daily basis. The 'recipe' is a bit convoluted in it's makeup as well as it's description so if there's a great demand for information about it, perhaps a seasoned member of the forum can pitch in and have a go at the components and process thereof.

While we do feed the brown rice fermented as described, it's not uncommon for one of us to grab a hand full of it dry for the purpose of luring birds in to be grabbed and no problems have ever been noted due to that practice.

We just wanted folks to know that according to our experience, feeding rice to chickens is not dangerous nor liable to swell up in the birds, causing them to "bust a gut" as has been posted on the odd thread, here and there".

Jason, as dictated by: Hellbender

 

[cyborg]

"Switching gears here for a moment, I'd like to take exception to a suggestion that feeding rice to chickens is very dangerous for them.  We have been feeding brown rice along with the other grains to our chickens for about 2 years now with no deleterious  effect to the health or performance of any of our birds.  In fact, we think doing so could be beneficial to the viability of the cock bird's semen strength.  This is purely anecdotal because we have performed not even the most cursory testing.....just our notions based upon the lack of failure in that segment of our flocks.

We feed fermented grain products, including the brown rice, on a year-'round basis, changing up the combination/ratio according to the season.  We feed no whole or cracked corn to our birds in the warmer months.....just because.  We don't ferment any of the commercial feeds because it is just too much trouble for us to mess with and the birds (and dogs) are still fed the Recipe on a daily basis.  The 'recipe' is a bit convoluted in it's makeup as well as it's description so if there's a great demand for information about it, perhaps a seasoned member of the forum can pitch in and have a go at the components and process thereof.

While we do feed the brown rice fermented as described, it's not uncommon for one of us to grab a hand full of it dry for the purpose of luring birds in to be grabbed and no problems have ever been noted due to that practice.

We just wanted folks to know that according to our experience, feeding rice to chickens is not dangerous nor liable to swell up in the birds, causing them to "bust a gut" as has been posted on the odd thread, here and there".

                                                        Jason,  [COLOR=0000CD]as dictated by:   [/COLOR][COLOR=B22222]Hellbender[/COLOR]

So, just for clarification, is that rice dry or cooked? I have also been using (cooked) brown rice.

 

[lpatelski]

"Switching gears here for a moment, I'd like to take exception to a suggestion that feeding rice to chickens is very dangerous for them. We have been feeding brown rice along with the other grains to our chickens for about 2 years now with no deleterious effect to the health or performance of any of our birds. In fact, we think doing so could be beneficial to the viability of the cock bird's semen strength. This is purely anecdotal because we have performed not even the most cursory testing.....just our notions based upon the lack of failure in that segment of our flocks.

We feed fermented grain products, including the brown rice, on a year-'round basis, changing up the combination/ratio according to the season. We feed no whole or cracked corn to our birds in the warmer months.....just because. We don't ferment any of the commercial feeds because it is just too much trouble for us to mess with and the birds (and dogs) are still fed the Recipe on a daily basis. The 'recipe' is a bit convoluted in it's makeup as well as it's description so if there's a great demand for information about it, perhaps a seasoned member of the forum can pitch in and have a go at the components and process thereof.

While we do feed the brown rice fermented as described, it's not uncommon for one of us to grab a hand full of it dry for the purpose of luring birds in to be grabbed and no problems have ever been noted due to that practice.

We just wanted folks to know that according to our experience, feeding rice to chickens is not dangerous nor liable to swell up in the birds, causing them to "bust a gut" as has been posted on the odd thread, here and there".

Jason, as dictated by: Hellbender

I read this article on fermenting feeds. It seems easy enough to do. I just have not spent two minutes getting it started. Maybe this weekend between the other chores: http://www.yellowbirchhobbyfarm.com/fermenting-chicken-feed-the-easy-way/

 

[bramblefir]

Ever since starting my first flock this past January I've been interested in starting a breeding flock at some point in the future, and now I found this thread so I'm going to subscribe to keep abreast. I'll tell ya, this site has done more to help me in my journey with chickens than every book I've read and everyone I personally talked to so far about raising chickens.

I'm currently raising Barred Rock and Leghorn hens and I'm disappointed that none turned out to be roosters yet. When I ordered them I requested all girls because I thought the neighbors might not like me having a rooster crowing in the mornings but after getting the flock and telling everyone about them my neighbors all said they'd be fine with a wake-up call in the morning. So now I'm thinking again about breeding at some point. It's probably a little late to add a rooster now that my girls are 16 weeks old, although I know you can always try to integrate new members, but I have the two breeds living together and I'd prefer to keep the lines pure if start pairing them up. As a result I'm thinking to build a coop separated into 5 sections along with 5 runs so I'd be able to work with 5 breeding groups. I know it would be a big structure but I'm confident I could build everything so it's sound and predator proof. The birds I think I'd like to breed are Dominiques although I'm not 100% set on them yet since there's a lot of neat breeds out there, and my goal would be for egg production. Since we have a unique (hot) climate here in central AZ I think it would be great to have birds that are adapted to the area, produce reasonably well, and are also a heritage breed that are a bit more scarce than some. I recently got a book first published in 1923 called The Mating and Breeding of Poultry by Harry Lamon, and after skimming through it today it really looks like a great book.

So anyway, just wanted to drop in and say hello. I'll be following this thread with interest.

Welcome to the group!

If you were aiming purely for a heat-hardy egg producer, I would seriously recommended looking at the Mediterranean and Continental breeds. I'm particularly fond of Blue Andalusians and Hamburgs, but there's a ton of other breeds that are excellent layers that need a serious breeder to help them out.

 

[hellbender]

So, just for clarification, is that rice dry or cooked? I have also been using (cooked) brown rice.

It is loaded dry but a couple days being fermented enlarges it by wetting/fermenting. As mentioned, we throw out the occasional handful of dry rice that has never bothered them. Maybe the only way I can think of that could be a problem is if rice was their only source of food and the chickens were allowed to starve for about three days. They could ingest a big load of dry rice and have problems in the crop if it were to enlarge there, especially if they weren't accustomed to it. but by fermenting it first or only throwing out a little bit at a time...there really seams to be no danger of creating problems.

I know in some parts of the world, chickens are fed rice and what little they can glean from free ranging.

Jason