Colorado

[Euarto Gullible]

Does anybody here feed whole grains other than corn? I was supplementing layer pellets with free choice barley left over from fodder, and I'm really liking the impact it is having on egg color. I'm getting more of a chalky luster that makes my blues more brilliant. Anybody else noticed that with barley or any other whole grains that enhance color?

 

[Pozees]

Does anybody here feed whole grains other than corn? I was supplementing layer pellets with free choice barley left over from fodder, and I'm really liking the impact it is having on egg color. I'm getting more of a chalky luster that makes my blues more brilliant. Anybody else noticed that with barley or any other whole grains that enhance color?

I always use grains, in varying amounts and mixtures - rolled oats, whole wheat, barley, whatever sounds good at the time I'm mixing more scratch - latest thing I heard about that I want to add is buckwheat. I am currently feeding an All Poultry feed made by Ranchway, that consists of whole grains, pellets, and seeds, and just got some Game Bird breeder ration to mix in to boost protein that's a crumble. I want to get back to soaking/fermenting to reduce waste and improve digestibility, just have to make time to get it started.

All that said, I can't say I ever noticed a difference in egg shells, but I wasn't really looking for it either.

 

[Craftymama]

I was thinking that same thing. In my naïveté I just assumed pullet ment a 'teenager' female bird. I was worried about them not getting handled enough so I to think this will work out better.

 

[wsmith]

I have two hens and 3 roos from the last batch.  Of the hens, one is Speckles Sussex/leghorn cross and the other is a Austrolorp/leghorn cross.
This weekend I will have white Silkie to americauna crosses.  they should look pretty cute.  And also some of Wendles eggs which are Dominiques.  He has first pick of that litter however.  The rest will be up for grabs. I may keep a couple of each also.   I have been trying to dial in my home made incubator and I believe I have it dialed in pretty well.  I will find out this weekend. My first hatch rate was a dismal 62% I believe.  Then 82% on the next batch.  I will find out in the next few days what this hatch rate will be.  Thanks for the interest.

Let me know when they hatch and I will drive over!

 

[Percheron chick]

I really like that RW all poultry feed. I use it as scratch. Mine don't pick out individual grains like they do with other blends.

 

[maggiemo]

This weekend I will have white Silkie to americauna crosses. they should look pretty cute

Have you raised this X before? I notice Pozee and you have silkie X's and I am wondering are they like bantams, more like yard candy. Not really layers?

 

[Ashdoes]

Have you raised this X before? I notice Pozee and you have silkie X's and I am wondering are they like bantams, more like yard candy. Not really layers?

I'm gonna butt in a little
I have a Silkie Cochin cross. She's small like a Silkie, but has Cochin feathers, just not as fluffy as my Cochins. She lays everyday, without fail. Sweet bird too. But, she gets picked on by the LF, just like my Silkie girl did. So, she penned with Silkies full time now.

 

[maggiemo]

I'm gonna butt in a little

I have a Silkie Cochin cross. She's small like a Silkie, but has Cochin feathers, just not as fluffy as my Cochins. She lays everyday, without fail. Sweet bird too. But, she gets picked on by the LF, just like my Silkie girl did. So, she penned with Silkies full time now.

I'm glad you did!
I love the smaller birds, I was wondering if they got picked on. I have a few bantams and polish and they are pretty feisty. No one picks on them. Has she gone broody?

Pretty eggs Euarto

 

[Ashdoes]

I'm glad you did!
I love the smaller birds, I was wondering if they got picked on. I have a few bantams and polish and they are pretty feisty. No one picks on them. Has she gone broody?  

Pretty eggs Euarto

Not yet, which is surprising. We're debating putting a pile of fake eggs in their nest box, and see if one of them does. But, I've also been thinking about being done with the Silkies, so it's all kind of up in the air.

 

[maggiemo]

You might try tin foil