Foraging And Feed Effeciency Comparing Breeds

[TheBanditQueen]

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

I am curious to hear more about your games. Are they Old English or American? Or just "game", LOL? Where did you get your original birds? Do you just eat the eggs, or do you ever eat any for meat?


This is a very interesting thread. I sure hope it keeps going.

 

[maranfarmer563]

The original stock came from a local poultry man. That's American game for 16 years. Last winter snow caved in my roof and my old English standard game escaped,but have foraged all summer. The roof is fixed now,so I will round them up for spring breeding,if anyone wants old English.

 

[Arielle]

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

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

One of the changes in our cooking has been to allow for older tougher birds compared to the very soft meaty cornish cross of the grocery type. I particularly love to roast a bird for the intense flavoring, and then stew it. THankfully the cooler weather is hear and I can have the stove on to brew up a batch of chicken soup.

Sent you a pm.

 

[Arielle]

This is a very interesting thread. I sure hope it keeps going.

I started this thread back when I was getting into chickens, and in a few short years I have learned much. ANd have much more to learn.

And my requirements in a bird have changed as I realize that feeding dual purpose type birds is rather expense if one is trying to put food on the table.

Recently my hardest lesson has been trying to keep the birds safe from predators. An annoying situation is that the buckeyes have a house far from our main house and lots of woods to roam but come down to visit at the main house to hang out. I have been toying with the need for a fence to keep them on their side of the driveway. lol

 

[maranfarmer563]

In the summer we keep a garden hose on the porch,they are not allowed on porch or they get sprayed. Chickens are quick learners

 

[TheBanditQueen]

I started this thread back when I was getting into chickens, and in a few short years I have learned much. ANd have much more to learn.

And my requirements in a bird have changed as I realize that feeding dual purpose type birds is rather expense if one is trying to put food on the table.

Recently my hardest lesson has been trying to keep the birds safe from predators. An annoying situation is that the buckeyes have a house far from our main house and lots of woods to roam but come down to visit at the main house to hang out. I have been toying with the need for a fence to keep them on their side of the driveway. lol

I am glad to get the chance to learn from you guys who have been doing it longer than I have.

That is interesting that you mentioned bird requirements. We have been talking about that same issue. In our particular situation, lighter birds (i.e., Leghorn type) that do well foraging are much better than heavier birds that need a greater amount of supplemental help. We do like eating chicken, but for us, Leghorn sized birds taste just as good as fat dual purpose ones. We don't mind butchering more birds for the same amount of meat. I know that's sacrilege in some circles, LOL, but then we did eat a lot of bantams a while back. And they are teeny. So cute though. Just meal sized for the two of us!

The one thing where we lucked out is that in our area, we haven't had a lot of predator pressure at the same level I've been reading about on BYC. Night cooping is a must because of coons, and I keep an eye out for occasional stray dogs (or non stray dogs that the neighbors refuse to keep in their yard...

). But no hawks, no eagles. No coyotes. There was a mountain lion sighting a couple months ago, but nothing more. We can free range with near impunity. But then I am at home all day and can step out to check on funny noises...and I know how to handle a pump action shotgun. So we're definitely lucky. You have my sympathy.

 

[maranfarmer563]

If you are at home,I would add one free range guinea hen. Would eat ticks and sound the alarm if any thing is wrong

 

[TheBanditQueen]

I have been wanting guineas. They are on the list for next spring, hopefully. The noise doesn't really bother me that much. And I love how they look. Like little army helmets running around.

I talked to one lady who has them near Ft Worth, TX, and she said she once saw her flock pounce on and eat a four foot long snake... O.O They sound like fun to me.

I wonder if there have ever been any studies on their feed efficiency. Is their diet much the same as chickens?

 

[maranfarmer563]

Once the grass is green guineas take care of them selves. I saw a cat in the field,the chickens scattered,the guineas charged and chased it away.

 

[southernmomma]

@Arielle~ hi What is your general opinion of the Buckeye? Worth it, not especially worth it.....?

@maranfarmer563~ games fascinate me. How do you manage multiple cockerel or what method would you suggest if one wished to maintain a flock and grow out the cockerels for meat?

M