Foraging And Feed Effeciency Comparing Breeds

[Arielle]

A breed that works well for me are American Games. I let my hens run when not being bred and they do great. They are heavier, get little to no feed from me and have woods and grass to go in.

I wondered if you might know their dressing %. Which is dressed weight vs live weight.

 

[maranfarmer563]

I've had a free range flock of game for 16 years. They roost in the rafters of my goat barn. They forage all summer and raise their chicks. I do feed them in the winter when the snows on. I get medium eggs year round

 

[RingedTeal]

I wondered if you might know their dressing %. Which is dressed weight vs live weight.

No I don't kill my game hens I do know they are about 1 pound heavier than the ones raised in a cage.

 

[Arielle]

I've had a free range flock of game for 16 years. They roost in the rafters of my goat barn. They forage all summer and raise their chicks. I do feed them in the winter when the snows on. I get medium eggs year round

Are the girls laying now??? Love it!!! Your weather is similar to mine. I struggle with lack of eggs at this time of year. I would love to have enough eggs at this time of year. I'm down to about 8 eggs on one day and about 3 on the next. I MO a moderate number of eggs is just fine. . . .and a medium egg uses less calcium than a larger egg.

THe more my girls forage at this time of year , the softer the egg shells. Despite putting out extra Ca for them.

 

[maranfarmer563]

Not only are they laying,they are hatching babies. Its getting to late to but they hide nests on me. I have never given calcium,they must get it from snails or the soil. They hatch 100% and I suppose others may eat discarded shells.the weather has still been mild even the guineas have babies

 

[maranfarmer563]

I keep pails out to catch rain water under the eaves' for them. This summer I have a flock of old English standard game hens loose too. They roost in a tree and lay in my garage. I use milk crate nest with a gulf ball in them. Then hens are leghorn size and lay similar eggs. They are brown in color and I have not lost any to the hawks.

 

[Arielle]

You answered one of my questions-- or partly. THe size I was curious about. I'm not too sure on the leghorn size-- smaller than most is the limit of my understanding. But bigger than a bantam.

Another person suggested games as a great foraging bird and I have to admit I'm sold on the idea now.

I recently bought the buckeyes and they are big enough and solid. ANd the BResse are also solid birds. BUT need a great deal of feed the first 8 weeks-- as in 27% protein feed. In my mind that is not sustainable farming. I am torn between the two methods.

 

[maranfarmer563]

I'll mail you some chicks to get started out of the next clutch

 

[maranfarmer563]

They are standard not bantys

 

[maranfarmer563]

If I was to process some,I would pen them and fatten up a month first