Faverolles Thread

[keesmom]

Are most breeders feeding a higher protein feed? I worry about my layers not getting enough calcium if I move away from the layer feed, even if I provide oyster shell. I have heard that some feed game bird feed because it is higher protein. Has anyone had problems with poor egg shell quality from oyster shell only?

I feed gamebird to everyone. I have had no issues with shell quality.

 

[BuffyBugSlayer]

I feed gamebird to everyone. I have had no issues with shell quality.

Do you offer any other calcium sources besides oyster shell?

 

[keesmom]

In general, the only extra calcium they get is oyster shell. However during the winter I will cook eggs that have frozen for them so from time to time they do get crushed eggshell.

 

[BuffyBugSlayer]

Thanks. I am having problems letting go of the layer feed!

 

[Highcotton]

After going for a couple years without chickens, I am getting back into it. After seeing that Faverolles are considered critical on the Livestock Conservatory, I'd really like to get som BQ/SQ Faverolles. Had a trio in the past and just loved them. Any suggestions on where to get some would be greatly appreciated!

I don't see any responsesto your responses. I am in Byron, Ga South of Macon on I-75. I bought a dozen straight run Salmon Faverolles from The Georgia Mad Hatcher yesterday. He is just South of the Georgia Ag Center in Perry. He has a very nice clean breeding and hatching operation. I got the first of a new hatch. Mine are very healthy. He is NPIP. He had several more chicks from that hatch in the brooder. He has a website with all of the information you should need. Feel free to contact me if you need further information. He ships eggs but not chicks.

Byron from Byron.

 

[Farmer Viola]

I also feed gamebird/mixed flock feed, I forget the exact name but it's 20% protein (a little higher than layer feed, good for chicks). I give free-choice oyster shells and grit in a separate container..

we use these corner feeders for the oyster shell: http://www.farmandfleet.com/products/828160-little-giant-galvanized-hanging-corner-feeder.html

 

[Gittx]

Speaking of feeding...I have always just had layers and fed them layer feed and some scratch, some egg and yogurt on occasion and they also free range. I worm them regularly and I also had a fecal done last year which didn't show anything.

I feel like some of pullets are smaller than they should be so I have added an ultra kibble (that has fish protein) to their daily scratch ration. I am not completely happy with this and feel I could do better. I don't want fat hens but I would like them to be as big and healthy as they can be.

Are most breeders feeding a higher protein feed? I worry about my layers not getting enough calcium if I move away from the layer feed, even if I provide oyster shell. I have heard that some feed game bird feed because it is higher protein. Has anyone had problems with poor egg shell quality from oyster shell only?

Any thoughts? Does anyone have a system they really like and would be willing to share?

Have you considered fermented feed? I feed it and all of my birds are heavier than others I see on the site. I always heard it was something you should feed "meaties", but I'm a vegetarian and feed it to all my chicks. You can search it on BYC, there's a lot of information out there on it. Good Luck

 

[BuffyBugSlayer]

Have you considered fermented feed?  I feed it and all of my birds are heavier than others I see on the site.  I always heard it was something you should feed "meaties", but I'm a vegetarian and feed it to all my chicks.  You can search it on BYC, there's a lot of information out there on it.  Good Luck

Thanks I will look into it.

 

[MrsFitzDarcy]

I am getting some salmon faverolles the second week of April from McMurray. I didn't want to go hatchery because of my bad experiences with Ideal, but I've heard good things about McMurray. Many of our feed stores use Privett out of New Mexico and those chicks have done well, but I don't think they breed SFs.

I am so excited! Please let me know if anyone has any nice breeder stock for shipment. As I'm in southern Arizona, it's imperative that I ship before May because it gets so hot here!

 

[mame1616]

Speaking of feeding...I have always just had layers and fed them layer feed and some scratch, some egg and yogurt on occasion and they also free range. I worm them regularly and I also had a fecal done last year which didn't show anything.

I feel like some of pullets are smaller than they should be so I have added an ultra kibble (that has fish protein) to their daily scratch ration. I am not completely happy with this and feel I could do better. I don't want fat hens but I would like them to be as big and healthy as they can be.

Are most breeders feeding a higher protein feed? I worry about my layers not getting enough calcium if I move away from the layer feed, even if I provide oyster shell. I have heard that some feed game bird feed because it is higher protein. Has anyone had problems with poor egg shell quality from oyster shell only?

Any thoughts? Does anyone have a system they really like and would be willing to share?

The Favs are among the smaller breeds I have, so I feed everyone Flock Raiser - a 20%. During heavy molting, I feed a 26-28% game bird/turkey starter, for no longer than a month, as too much protein is not good for the kidneys. My girls get oyster shell for the calcium, plus the occasional scrambled egg-and-shell cooked up for them. I also top-dress the feed with Kickin' Chicken supplement, and sometimes throw in a handful of the various Manna Pro supplements, as well as powdered Sea Kelp. (Those last are more because I'm crazy than the fact that they need them, although I noticed a difference in feather quality once I added the Kickin' Chicken.) I have a friend who raises very nice Giants on only Layena. The roosters are monsters, so...

I think a lot of the size is due to genetics - the feed just helps those genetics reach their full potential. If the line runs small, no feed will make them big. To keep them from getting fat, don't feed them fat.