California - Northern

[PetRock]

I think of Karen sometimes too.

I forgot that she had Dominique chickens. She had so many Breeds before downsizing.

My husband picked up Dominique eggs for her from a breeder in the Santa Cruz area and I delivered them to her! I think that she had a good hatch with them.

 

[juststruttin]

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.

This is an incredible story. I am so glad she is doing as well as she is.

 

[juststruttin]

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/

These articles are great but you kinda have to wonder how much meat was on a 1.87 lb Astralorp at 11.5 weeks compared to either a Cornish X or Freedom Ranger. It would be nice to see a study done with de-boned chicken.

 

[juststruttin]

I purchased a bag of the organic feed at Costco but I lost the contents label. Does anyone still have theirs? Does this feed have organic corn and/or organic soy beans? I've been mixing it with plain yogurt, shredded vegies, kelp powder, etc. and giving it to my flock for their morning treat.

I have not purchased any myself but I have heard a couple people say their chickens did not like it. Anyone here have the same experience?

Edited to add: sorry, I just realized some of you have already touched on this on this thread.

 

[PetRock]

I have not purchased any myself but I have heard a couple people say their chickens did not like it. Anyone here have the same experience?

Mine eat it fine when I mix yogurt, etc. in with it. I'm just trying to get rid of the bag and I'm not going to buy it again.

 

[ronott1]

These articles are great but you kinda have to wonder how much meat was on a 1.87 lb Astralorp at 11.5 weeks compared to either a Cornish X or Freedom Ranger. It would be nice to see a study done with de-boned chicken.

The feed conversion information was in the article for a bunch of them. Not Bresse though. The Bresse Cockerels were bigger when I processed them.

The Meat is fine on a two or three pound Dressed chicken. It also tastes better than a 5 week old 3 or for times crossed hybrid.

It was interesting that they got to within several cents of the Hybrid cost per pound by free ranging Dual Purpose chickens--and would close the cost gap by hatching their own instead of buying them from a hatchery.

Did you catch that part? They were Hatchery chickens and not Standard Bread(heritage) chickens. We can do much better if we selectively breed from better stock.

 

[ronott1]

Mine eat it fine when I mix yogurt, etc. in with it. I'm just trying to get rid of the bag and I'm not going to buy it again.

I tried a bag of the feed from Costco--I do give mine soy and corn sometimes but not too often. They seemed to like it and it is gone.

My chickens are not too picky though.

 

[Happy Chooks]

It looks great Linda. I hope your birds settle in well there.

 

[ronott1]

My Fogel Rhode Island Red was High Steppin today!



Check out the chicken Tails!

From Left to right: Blue Australorp, Fogel Rhode Island Red, Australorp

 

[chicksnthestiks]

My Fogel Rhode Island Red was High Steppin today! Check out the chicken Tails! From Left to right: Blue Australorp, Fogel Rhode Island Red, Australorp

Pretty color and shape!