Getting bobs??

[sonjab314]

I think I would like to get a pair of bobs but.....I have a large rabbit hutch that I could use for the parent pair but I don't know how to house the babies until they are old enough to process. I know they do not do well in colonies style housing so how do you do it? I'm looking at Georgia Giants. Thanks for any advice.

 

[_Randall_]

Quote:
Well, that's not necessarily true. Adequate space per bird is key. Add good protein food, plenty of water, and don't expose them to the frigid elements.............and at that point, be prepared to see some......let's just say, jabs from the beak here and yonder from one ... or all .... because.........._______________ (the blank could hold several reasons).

 

[sonjab314]

Quote:
Well, that's not necessarily true. Adequate space per bird is key. Add good protein food, plenty of water, and don't expose them to the frigid elements.............and at that point, be prepared to see some......let's just say, jabs from the beak here and yonder from one ... or all .... because.........._______________ (the blank could hold several reasons).

How much space do you recommend for these birds?

 

[_Randall_]

Quote:
Well, that's not necessarily true. Adequate space per bird is key. Add good protein food, plenty of water, and don't expose them to the frigid elements.............and at that point, be prepared to see some......let's just say, jabs from the beak here and yonder from one ... or all .... because.........._______________ (the blank could hold several reasons).

How much space do you recommend for these birds?

Well, (some) will consider that with subjective answers. I'm gonna RECOMMEND "Bare Minimum" 1 square foot per bird. Now, of course, 1.5 per bird is better.....as is 2 getting real spacious. (And I'm giving you "grown bird figures as well). I've been "pushing the envelope" so to speek for 2 years now. By that, I mean averaging 1 square foot per bird. The true test of how tolerant of each other with that amount of space is about to approach......."The Breedin Season". I've got 51 birds in a 60 square foot colony pen, with 1:3 male / female ratio. All is well now. 3 - 4 weeks from now??? We'll watch REAL close daily to see who can't play well with others. At that point, they'll have to leave the "Colony Inns & Suites" ......... and move over to the Motel 6. ..... and yes, we'll leave the light on for'em juuuuussssst a lil' while, but not all night!

 

[sonjab314]

How do you house the babies and at what age do you process them? Do they grow as fast as they Coturnix?

 

[_Randall_]

Oh, and if you have "several" together, sooner or later one's gonna walk by and try to "peck a plug" out of another one's head, neck, toes, whatever. That's where you put a little pile of evergreen branches over in the corner so when Frank sneaks over to Roger's pretty Miss Peggy, and trys to "You-Know-What".....and Roger sees it and starts in on ol' Frank's noggin like a jack-hammer, he's got somewhere to go hide for a bit till ol' Roger cools off......

 

[sonjab314]

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[Fat Daddy]

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Some funny $hit Randall, made me laugh out loud. Good post.

 

[_Randall_]

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I keep them in a brooder like the one I show in this thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=451101
I've built a bigger one of this version for bigger hatches. As for the age I process them?? ............. They could be processed at 20 weeks, but I'm letting mine get at least 8 months old. They seem to get a little "plumper" in the breast as they near a year old.

 

[_Randall_]

Quote:
Some funny $hit Randall, made me laugh out loud. Good post.

I'm in a good mood, Bill ............. it's Friday, and I'm on my 2nd "mug" of wine (and yeah, my wine comes in a 5 liter box with a plastic liner.......

)
BUT REALLY, I'm in a good mood cause I caught ol' Frank toppin' pretty Miss Peggy this afternoon.......... It won't be long now.......