Found this PDF from the British Columbia (Canada) Ministry of Agriculture; excellent information regarding all forms of small flock husbandry

[thistlewick]

Just thought I'd share it, it has everything you need really and some incredibly useful information;

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/f...rops/animal-production/small_flock_manual.pdf

 

[Sally PB]

Thank you.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

will read this later, ty!

 

[Nym]

A good find. Thanks!

 

[Perris]

a great find! thanks for linking to it @thistlewick

 

[Loving my girls]

Just thought I'd share it, it has everything you need really and some incredibly useful information;

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/f...rops/animal-production/small_flock_manual.pdf

This manual is brilliant, I’ve run out of Geek Books so it will provide me with a good supply of bedtime reading for some time.
Thank you
Ps that’s not meant as any type of insult, actually a compliment, Go Geeks Go

 

[thistlewick]

Oh don't worry, I read this thing cover to cover and I would never take geek as an insult.

The origin of the word is hilarious in this context though; it was a sideshow act, eating the heads off chickens LOL

 

[Mrs. K]

I was surprised at a couple of things - space being one, which I think was more along commercial lines

But I was also surprised at the amount of light they wanted for chicks. Starting with only 4 hours and working up to 8. A broody hen does not do this. I suppose this too is commercial, and perhaps with a large pen of chicks, they may be in enough competition for food, that they need longer periods of light to make sure each chick gets enough food.

When I myself brood chicks, I put them to bed at 10:00 pm, and they stay in the dark until morning.

Mrs K

 

[JacinLarkwell]

@Canadian Wind

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I don't know if its that the majority of the research has a bias towards commercial production, or this was aimed at small scale commercial operation deliberately, or the intent was simply not to focus on 'pet' flocks, but his definitely has a "commercial" vibe in some of the numbers for space, light, and age.

Still a good read - I like the chart at p 178 - its an area where my poultry knowledge is particuarly weak.