California - Northern

[Michael Apple]

I looked at organic feed, it's $35 for a 40 or 50 lb bag. (don't remember the bag size)

And it still has soy in it. And almost all organic soy comes from China.

Do you have any sources to verify almost all organic soy comes from China?

 

[caychris]

The APA SOP has all the information on all that. You could also read the CSU thread. I don't think Hollands were discussed, though.

If you look at a silhouette of a Rock and a Dominique, they are completely different shapes. The barring is also different on a BR versus a Dominique.

I apparently need to buy a copy what is it that I should buy.

 

[capayvalleychick]

I apparently need to buy a copy what is it that I should buy.

http://www.amerpoultryassn.com/store.htm

The cheaper versions that you see on ebay, amazon etc. are either old or incomplete.

 

[caychris]

http://www.amerpoultryassn.com/store.htm

The cheaper versions that you see on ebay, amazon etc. are either old or incomplete.

Which CSU article are you referring to?

 

[ronott1]

Quote:

I looked at organic feed, it's $35 for a 40 or 50 lb bag. (don't remember the bag size)

And it still has soy in it. And almost all organic soy comes from China.

Do you have any sources to verify almost all organic soy comes from China?
I read an article about organic Soy Beans used for Feed being mostly imported from china. It looks like it is more and more true for all Organic Soy products. The Article said that most of the USA regular Soy is shipped to China While the Organic Soy is shipped to the USA for Feed. There is a huge price difference.

This Article has some of the information along with a link to an USDA Article.

http://www.cornucopia.org/2009/06/usda-report-indicates-american-organic-farmers-being-sold-out/

 

[capayvalleychick]

Which CSU article are you referring to?

You would have to search through the CSU thread to find the sections on Rocks & Doms

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/732985/csu-chicken-state-university-large-fowl-sop

 

[Michael Apple]

Ron and Michael,

Thanks for all the great info!!!

Michael, are you familiar with King Freedom chick starter?
http://king-brand.com/new/index.php...category_id=82&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=6

That is what I have been feeding all my birds including the adults. I have been really happy with it but would love your feedback especially if you think they should be supplemented with something. I supplement the babies with vitamins until they are 12 weeks, but do not supplement the adults.

I used 4 different brands before settling on this one. What brand do you use?

Juststruttin,
I used King Organic starter/grower and Organic Layer Pellets for awhile, but the local feed store is flaky and inconsistent with stock. I tried the Freedom but didn't like the substitute for soy. I stopped using King due to my birds getting sick, having to treat them, and eventually finding a hand sized lump of moldy pellets in a bag I was using. I suspect neglect of rotation/allowing stock to get wet by the local feed store, and since they are the only ones stocking King, I go elsewhere. I use Modesto Milling and am satisfied with their organic rations.

For adult birds, I supplement water regularly 3x a week with a Breeder Plus solution and Probios dispersible powder. When they are in the pre-molt stage and become stressed or less active, I use Lewerstim (made by MedPet)1x per week since it has the required amount of B vitamins, Calcium Pantothenate, thiotic acid, and liver extract which helps cleanse and support the liver. This, I believe, is most important for older birds that tend to get fatty livers from being less active. Some of my birds are 10 yrs old now. When they are moulting, I will mix some wheat germ oil fortified with A,D,E and nutritional yeast flakes in with each lb of feed 1-2 times a week maximum. If I give no-salt tuna or buttermilk (never both together), I do it sparingly mixed in feed, and only give enough that they will eat it all right away, as to not attract flies. I've found this encourages those difficult moulters, who sometimes go off feed during moult, to eat better. I think it is good to examine choline content in foods. Choline is also a liver cleansing vitamin.

I supplement greens by using kale or spinach since they both have good mineral and vitamin profiles. Not much green here this time of year. Other things I grow, such as lettuce and occasional tomatoes, are also given on occasion.

 

[chrissyr]

Was the no pick ointment Blu Kote?

That usually stops the pecking at it.

Many use thin ply wood at the bottom the the fence to keep them from fighting through it. Do you have some type of barrier to use? You could put up a false fence in front of the main fence or use plastic netting or a smaller squared fence for the bottom two feet.

Best!

I used the rooster booster no pick. I have blu kote but wasn't sure if it would run down in their eyes.
I will have to put up something. It's not bad from the fence . Little flecks here and there. But the hens get to it , they get big quick. Now I think they've learned
Thought about a fabric "hat" but isn't the comb how they cool down? I wouldn't want them over heating .
The one was almost completely healed. Isolated for a week. I put on the no pick with just a couple little scabs and those girls pecked it bad again.

can you create a visual/physical barrier at the fence line. A number of the kennel style breeding pens I see generally have walls that separate the roosters. I always thought that was to discourage them fighting or trying to get at the other boys hens etc. you might need to do something similar. I thought Blue Kote was supposed to discourage wound picking. 

thank you chris. Usually it's when one group is on pasture that rooster goes to challenge the other one at his fence. I'll have to do something, but big areas to cover now always work to be done

 

[chrissyr]

So the taming of the orpingtons and Marans are going well. A little too well. I'm giving them treats (mealworms).
Now I can't stick my hand in there without the jubilees jumping on my hand and pecking. But it's better than running for dear life when they see me
Just can't get things done like that

 

[Michael Apple]

I read an article about organic Soy Beans used for Feed being mostly imported from china. It looks like it is more and more true for all Organic Soy products. The Article said that most of the USA regular Soy is shipped to China While the Organic Soy is shipped to the USA for Feed. There is a huge price difference.

This Article has some of the information along with a link to an USDA Article.

http://www.cornucopia.org/2009/06/usda-report-indicates-american-organic-farmers-being-sold-out/

Good information to be aware of. I know my choice of feed contains domestic organic soy from Nevada or Iowa, so if anyone questions the sources in their feed, contact the miller of their feed. When I see canola meal used as a replacement for soy, I will not use it. Canola doesn't have near the amino acid profile that soy does. I also believe that since the price of soy goes up, certain millers take the opportunity to jump on the non-GMO/soy-free bandwagon to sell their product at a competitive price.