California - Northern

[PetRock]

I have seen things like that and yes, Meaties eat a lot of feed in a short time. They are huge feed to poo factories....

Send a pm to one of the Heritage guys, like @YellowHouseFarm

Thanks, Ron. I've been wondering if short time/high feed really trumps long time/maybe equal feed as far as cost goes. I know that a longer period means more effort on our part but you also get more enjoyment too.

 

[PetRock]

My daughter is a barefoot girl too. I have to admit, after growing up on a ranch as a child, nothing bothers me. However, last year our friends daughter fell and cut her knee on a goat stanchion. A few stitches, no big deal. 2 days later she is being flown to Oakland with a horrible flesh eating infection. http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20120706/articles/207061081
Missy lost the main muscle in her thigh as well as most of the skin on her calf. Thankfully she is doing great (even playing softball!)

I tend to be a little more cautious now.

That's scary! I'm glad that she is doing well now!

 

[ronott1]

Thanks, Ron. I've been wondering if short time/high feed really trumps long time/maybe equal feed as far as cost goes. I know that a longer period means more effort on our part but you also get more enjoyment too.

Look for feed conversion charts. They show how much feed is needed per pound of weight gain for different breeds. Since it is by weight gain, not age it is a good comparison.

 

[CackleJoy]

I would be interested in a link to a study like that too!

 

[lawatt]

growing up you could never get shoes on me if I was home and the temps were over 80. "Summer Feet" were a badge of honor. I did barn chores barefoot in spite of my mom telling me I was going to get tetnus. Now my feet look way older than the rest of me but I don't care. I still kick off my shoes the minute I get home...sometimes right inside the door sometime right outside.

same here...!

 

[ronott1]

I would be interested in a link to a study like that too!

Here is one!

http://www.avianaquamiser.com/posts/Feed_conversion_rate_for_chickens/

And here is their solution:

http://www.avianaquamiser.com/posts/Black_australorps_as_broilers/

 

[PetRock]

Look for feed conversion charts. They show how much feed is needed per pound of weight gain for different breeds. Since it is by weight gain, not age it is a good comparison.

I love graphs and charts! If you do a google search for Feed Efficiency of Pastured Poultry Systems , there is a nice power point presentation on a study done in Missouri by some people at Truman State University and Wisconsin State University.

 

[tommysgirl]

Re feed: I save the droppings on the poop trays for a few of my friends. I ran into a brick wall at the feed store recently when I went to get my King feed. ie: they were out. Switched to Bar-Ale and the quantity of poop seems to be significantly higher. We seem to be going through the Bar Ale at a faster rate. I like the Bar Ale because I can get it at the feed store closest and because it is pellets but a 50 lb sack is lasting me about 11 days for 19 chickens who also free range and get goodies. Granted the dang peacocks are into the feeder in the non-covered run whenever they can be but it just seems like I am going through a sack so much faster. Could it also be because they are pretty much grown ups now?

 

[Flowers of Abba]

Hi! I don't know if Gilroy (20 minutes south of San Jose) counts as Northern California for most people, but here I am.

Welcome! We have family down in Moran hill and San Jose . We ran away together 15 years ago up to Tahoe ...Also Chiquita is in the foothills .

Re feed:  I save the droppings on the poop trays for a few of my friends. I ran into a brick wall at the feed store recently when I went to get my King feed.  ie:  they were out.  Switched to Bar-Ale and the quantity of poop seems to be significantly higher.  We seem to be going through the Bar Ale at a faster rate.  I like the Bar Ale because I can get it at the feed store closest and because it is pellets but a 50 lb sack is lasting me about 11 days for 19 chickens who also free range and get goodies.  Granted the dang peacocks are into the feeder in the non-covered run whenever they can be but it just seems like I am going through a sack so much faster.  Could it also be because they are pretty much grown ups now?

They are binging? That's really a lot don't you guys think? Maybe some things are sneaking and stealing? That's a bummer about the extra poop. As if there isn't enough of that.lol

Our Costco is still carrying the 40 lb organic layer. It seems to last 2 weeks at least. We have 15 birds in that yard. Maybe different because we are a family of 6 and they get all if our table scraps!

 

[ronott1]

They are binging? That's really a lot don't you guys think? Maybe some things are sneaking and stealing? That's a bummer about the extra poop. As if there isn't enough of that.lol

Our Costco is still carrying the 40 lb organic layer. It seems to last 2 weeks at least. We have 15 birds in that yard. Maybe different because we are a family of 6 and they get all if our table scraps!

I have seen the same thing with the Freedom layer pellets from King Feed. The layers eat less of it and the poop is "nicer"

Has anyone tried the new GMO Free Bar ale Layer yet?