Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[BCMaraniac]

I eventually want rabbits too, and decided in my readings I want either Florida Whites if I can get them or New Zealands. First though I plan to get my chickens growing. Unfortunately my Incubation experience resulted in 0 chicks. 3 didn't develop 1 early quitter 1 late quitter and 1 never pipped I think she drowned in the shell.

From what I have read, those are good choices. In fact, I think the cross is supposed to be good as well.

I am so sorry about your chicks.

Bitterroot gave me a couple of links to lists of FW breeders:

http://www.fwrba.net/FWRBA Breeders.htm

https://www.arba.net/breeders.htm#fw

 

[Bitterroot]

Ugh. Sorry to hear about the incubation issues. I haven't had much luck, myself. I won't go into how many dozens I've incubated, but will say my average has been 1 chick hatched per dozen eggs. Think I figured out why, today. I'd been using a hovabator genesis, and my thermometers I had all read within okay limits so I never thought anything of it. I souped up my coolerbater to incubate this next round, and bit the bullet and bought a much more accurate thermometer. Turns out the hovabator was a degree and a half off. I was incubating at about 97.5 F. Might not be enough to make a difference, but I'm telling myself that for now to feel better.

Got everything dialed in now and my coolerbator only wavers two tenths of a degree so I'm optimistic this next experience will be much better. I have the genesis dialed in and will be using it as a hatcher.

So I guess what I'm trying to say as I ramble around in circles, is that it's likely nothing you did. These embryos are pretty fragile. Hopefully you'll get an AHA moment soon, too. Don't give up.

 

[Bitterroot]

A bit of advice about florida whites since we seem to have started a trend.

If you're wanting them for meat rabbits, be prepared for a test of your patience. These little guys typically aren't ready to butcher until about 16 weeks or so, and they're rather scrawny up until that point. Bonus is they take up less space and won't eat you out of house and home. If you want young fryers, fast, then I'd suggest the new zealands or californians. I've never raised calis, but know people who do and they crank out the dinners. Sorry, no experience with other meat breeds to make suggestions there.

 

[Darkangael]

Thank you guys for the thoughts and the further info on the florida whites.

 

[Regin]

Do older rabbits get tougher, is the meat better on young rabbits?

 

[Bitterroot]

That's what they say, but I've never noticed a difference.

I've eaten 'em all, including the 2 yeard old champagne d'argente that didn't want to be a mom. She was delicious in enchiladas and with some dumplings.

 

[Angelicisi]

Lol
Birth control at its finest.

That's what they say, but I've never noticed a difference.    I've eaten 'em all, including the 2 yeard old champagne d'argente that didn't want to be a mom.  She was delicious in enchiladas and with some dumplings. 

 

[Bitterroot]

Gotta share my excitement, since only chicken people will understand. And for once it's thread related!

Welp hatchery just updated their pricing and order dates for 2014, and I was finally able to get my hands on a couple dozen of their cornish rock crosses. I'm looking forward to feeding them fermented feed and pasturing them in big tractors behind the cows, along with some capons.

 

[hellbender]

Gotta share my excitement, since only chicken people will understand. And for once it's thread related!

Welp hatchery just updated their pricing and order dates for 2014, and I was finally able to get my hands on a couple dozen of their cornish rock crosses. I'm looking forward to feeding them fermented feed and pasturing them in big tractors behind the cows, along with some capons.

Bitterroot, I have just lost control of the rabbit project. It's now being controlled from roughly 7,000 miles away.

LOLOL

Jason has contacted a NZ breeder we know in Crosslanes, looking to acquire 3 young doelings from large litters that are likely to be of moderate size. Those, incorporated into a breeding program including the quintet that we're getting from you....should put us back into the rabbit breeding business.

This man has superb NZ stock. If you wish and are in no big hurry....I would be happy to send you 3 or 5 doelings from his facility near Charleston, and of course, we will defray all costs.

RON

 

[Triple Willow]

Gotta share my excitement, since only chicken people will understand.  And for once it's thread related!

Welp hatchery just updated their pricing and order dates for 2014, and I was finally able to get my hands on a couple dozen of their cornish rock crosses.  I'm looking forward to feeding them fermented feed and pasturing them in big tractors behind the cows, along with some capons. 

e  

Good deal! I hope to feed out some of those next year, probably maybe. lol