BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[CanadianBuckeye]

I've been in the "85 chicken" situation until I got insulted by the receipt from the feed store one too many times.

I just paid $27 bucks for 50 lbs of non gmo no soy chick starter - Yikes! This is going to hurt, if most of my eggs hatch.

 

[DesertChic]

I just paid $27 bucks for 50 lbs of non gmo no soy chick starter - Yikes! This is going to hurt, if most of my eggs hatch.

Yep. That's about what I pay per bag: soy-free, corn-free, canola-free organic non-gmo. Look at it this way...it beats paying for doctor visits.

 

[CanadianBuckeye]

@DesertChic what's the protein level of your feed? I'm a bit concerned, mine is only 18% and I'm told it should be 20-22%.

 

[JiltdRoyalty]

I use a 24% for my meat birds and a 20% for my girls.

 

[lpatelski]

DOH 4/28/16 - day 3 picture journal 5/1/16 for #115 3/4 Dark Cornish (Bob-50%DC/50%WCR & Marion-DC)







Bob

Marion

 

[CanadianBuckeye]

@lpatelski great photos! I think it's a boy and he's going to look like Bob, white with some red.

 

[DesertChic]

@DesertChic what's the protein level of your feed? I'm a bit concerned, mine is only 18% and I'm told it should be 20-22%.

Mine get higher protein from 20% up to 26% for the first two weeks, including supplements of chopped up hard boiled egg, but I lowered them down to 18% at 2 weeks this time and have been getting really good results so far. They still get the occasional chopped egg treat, along with hulled sunflower seeds and fresh kale. This is the first time I've changed up my "formula", and since I'm pleased with the results so far I'll probably try it again with future hatches to see if the results are repeatable.

Oh...I should mention that at least part of the protein source in the feed I use is fish meal, and no soy.

 

[CanadianBuckeye]

Good idea, I'll try giving some cooked egg.

 

[DesertChic]

I finally got all of the weights and photos taken of my last incubator hatch. I'm still very pleased with their overall progress, but there are a few cockerels that I'm really impressed by for growth rates, weight, and/or appearance:


Monty: 24.8 ounces @ 6 Weeks: The photo really doesn't do him justice.


Simon: 24.02 ounces @ 6 Weeks:


Haymitch: 23.63 ounces @ 6 Weeks - Again, not the best photo.


Quincy: 23.07 ounces @ 6 Weeks:


Peta: 22.62 ounces @ 6 Weeks - feathered shanks:

 

[DesertChic]

And now some of the girls, also at 6 weeks:


Gypsy: my Bielefelder/NN mix: 17.35 ounces


Haley: White Rock/Ameraucana mix: 21.2 ounces



Willow: White Rock/NN mix: 19.93



And honorable mention to little Rue, pure NN who was savagely attacked and continues to amaze me with her recovery. Her growth was slowed by her injury, but she had a 112% gain in the past 2 weeks and is slowly catching up to her sisters, weighing in now at 11.01 ounces. Her body is compact and solid, and she's been slow to feather out. You can still see a bit of the scab on her scalp.