Hatching Eggs / Paypal CHAT Thread

[flocksalot]

I have a question about the SFHs. My son read on another thread that they need to be fed differently than other chickens. Something about them requiring a much higher protein content (he read as meat). How do you guys feed yours?

The ones I hatched ha e been eating game bird starter because they are still in with the turkeys, but the new ones are getting a 16% layer mix. Do I need to increase their protein?

 

[NotAFarm]

I have a question about the SFHs. My son read on another thread that they need to be fed differently than other chickens. Something about them requiring a much higher protein content (he read as meat). How do you guys feed yours?

The ones I hatched ha e been eating game bird starter because they are still in with the turkeys, but the new ones are getting a 16% layer mix. Do I need to increase their protein?

flocks, I seem to remember reading the the SFHs need something special as well but don't remember what (maybe more B vitamins?). I can say that my Icelandics, a landrace with, I would think, similiar roots way back when, seem to do better with the Game Bird starter (30% protein)....and Alex's eggs will be on their way tomorrow morning.....I'll be PMing you DC# tonight.

 

[flocksalot]

flocks, I seem to remember reading the the SFHs need something special as well but don't remember what (maybe more B vitamins?).  I can say that my Icelandics, a landrace with, I would think, similiar roots way back when, seem to do better with the Game Bird starter (30% protein)....and Alex's eggs will be on their way tomorrow morning.....I'll be PMing you DC# tonight.

Awesome, they can stay with some turkeys too. How many eggs were we trading for? I'm planning to get yours out on Tuesday or Wed. Depending on the amount. Cinco turkey day here we come! You did need them by the seventh right?

 

[flocksalot]

Speaking of crates, etc.  Is this a good price for these?  I need some crates to transport to auction, livestock sales, etc. 

I'm very happy with the price. Most of the time people ask at least $40 for the smaller one, and $60 for the larger. I've seen much higher at shows. The smaller doesn't have a tray which is no biggy for me. It also has zero rust which is awesome. They both have spring locks and every thing was in really good shape. I'd take pic, but they are till in the car and its bloody cold out there today. So I'll just lay here in my sunbeam and watch the turkeys chase the crows around. Sometimes they are so silly.

Here's a photo of that tiny little Tom I think would make a cute little fat B for someone.

Here he is behind Frankie

Ain't he just so darn cute!

 

[krazykat0373]

Okay everyone, here's a bit of a shocker. Last week, I picked up eggs that the old mail lady left on the prison porch. They picked it up after 4 days and lots of snow. I was sent 4 eggs and ended up candling early last night after curiosity got the best of me... 3 have development!

 

[KYTinpusher]

I have a question about the SFHs. My son read on another thread that they need to be fed differently than other chickens. Something about them requiring a much higher protein content (he read as meat). How do you guys feed yours?

The ones I hatched ha e been eating game bird starter because they are still in with the turkeys, but the new ones are getting a 16% layer mix. Do I need to increase their protein?

My SFH did just fine on layer feed during the spring when there was lots of green grass and bugs to be found. Through the winter, their laying slowed considerably and at times stopped. I recently switched all the birds to Flockraiser (20% protein) and their laying has really picked up. Of course, it could be time of year, more natural light, the worming they got, more bugs coming out of hibernation due to warmer temps, or any number of other factors. But I intend to keep them on the higher protein diet. I do notice that my SFH eat much less feed than my other birds, probably because they much prefer to find their food outside.

Also, as chicks, I make sure to put vitamins in the water and I don't use medicated chick feed. SFH can have issues with curled toes and doing these things seem to help. My first two hatches of SFH chicks, I did use medicated feed and didn't give vitamins and had no issues other than losing one at about a month old. However, they were regularly fed kefir which has lots of vitamins and probiotics which I believe was very helpful to them. I haven't been able to keep up with making the kefir as much lately, which is why I make sure I have vitamins handy for the little ones.

 

[krazykat0373]

well, I took my ducklings and put them in a kiddie pool in the living room, got one of those rubbermaid bins and cut the top and fitted it with wire mesh, for their water. They are still slinging it everywhere.... Gosh, they are messy!
Why did I want ducklings, again? :/
I should have my head examined.

 

[Bettacreek]

I have five different duck breeds on the list. WHY?! I have no idea. Most aren't worth eating (calls, silky and mallards), so I'm not entirely sure why they're in my bator and at my house, LOL!

 

[KYTinpusher]

well, I took my ducklings and put them in a kiddie pool in the living room, got one of those rubbermaid bins and cut the top and fitted it with wire mesh, for their water. They are still slinging it everywhere.... Gosh, they are messy!

Why did I want ducklings, again?

I should have my head examined.

We used a 110 gallon rubber stock tank for their brooder (in my living room, no less

) and they got their bathes in our bathtub. One thing we found worked really well was to use shredded paper underneath a layer of wood shavings in the brooder (no one is going to try to piece together our old bank statements!). The paper is WAY more absorbent than chips. We still had to clean the brooder out every few days, but it really helped with the smell and mess. We also made sure they had an elevated area with a Rubbermaid container to sleep in to keep them dry at night.

 

[krazykat0373]

well, I took my ducklings and put them in a kiddie pool in the living room, got one of those rubbermaid bins and cut the top and fitted it with wire mesh, for their water. They are still slinging it everywhere.... Gosh, they are messy! Why did I want ducklings, again? :/ I should have my head examined.

We used a 110 gallon rubber stock tank for their brooder (in my living room, no less

) and they got their bathes in our bathtub. One thing we found worked really well was to use shredded paper underneath a layer of wood shavings in the brooder (no one is going to try to piece together our old bank statements!). The paper is WAY more absorbent than chips. We still had to clean the brooder out every few days, but it really helped with the smell and mess. We also made sure they had an elevated area with a Rubbermaid container to sleep in to keep them dry at night.

sounds like a plan...I do have a stock tank, if this doesn't work the way I would like it to, I will try that, the pool and bedding is fairly dry still...my floor and furniture on the other hand, not so much, because they just have to sling the water everywhere.