Ralphie my first birds came from Sunnyside hatchery in Beaver Dam because I work in town and could pick them up at the hatchery. I have a rabbit breeder friend who has used them for years and highly recommended them but she had similar issues with the batch she did the same time I fid mine last fall. On a positive note I got 20 Sagitas from them at the same time as my first batch this spring and other than the one I squished with a feed tray the first week( I didn't see her I swear!!!) They are all extremely active and growing well. I may keep a few hens for eggs this fall
as for limiting feed I unfortunately can't free range as my birds are on a friends hobby farm and it's just not possible. There feed trough gets filled once daily around noon with the goal of them being able to eat free choice during the afternoon and run out late in the evening or have a small amount left to snack on in the morning before I make it out to the farm. I start them on a 20% fermented crumble and start adding hay pellets and a bit of mixed birdseed to the mix at three weeks. At 5 weeks I switch to a 17% layer pellet in the FF mix. I also use ACV in their water. Any suggestions for ways to keep these guys healthy would be appreciated. The remaining CX from the first batch will hopefully get processed next weekend. All are active well feathered have good color in thier comes and Wattles and no leg ptoblems they enjoy dust bathing and generally digging in the dirt but really show very little interest in fresh greens(unlike the Sagitas who will fight for every scrap of greens). I'll post my final processing weights on thease guys and updates on the new meatballs as things happen
as for limiting feed I unfortunately can't free range as my birds are on a friends hobby farm and it's just not possible. There feed trough gets filled once daily around noon with the goal of them being able to eat free choice during the afternoon and run out late in the evening or have a small amount left to snack on in the morning before I make it out to the farm. I start them on a 20% fermented crumble and start adding hay pellets and a bit of mixed birdseed to the mix at three weeks. At 5 weeks I switch to a 17% layer pellet in the FF mix. I also use ACV in their water. Any suggestions for ways to keep these guys healthy would be appreciated. The remaining CX from the first batch will hopefully get processed next weekend. All are active well feathered have good color in thier comes and Wattles and no leg ptoblems they enjoy dust bathing and generally digging in the dirt but really show very little interest in fresh greens(unlike the Sagitas who will fight for every scrap of greens). I'll post my final processing weights on thease guys and updates on the new meatballs as things happen
