Heritage Large Fowl - Phase II

[hellbender]

I didn't think you did!

Now judging from the rabbit, he may be another story.

Best,
Karen

Be good to the Rabbit! He has powerful friends...

 

[3riverschick]

They posted some pictures today on FB.

Those are just some stunning Light Sussex which Greenfire imported from Europe. I drool over them.
Best,
Karen

 

[3riverschick]

Be good to the Rabbit! He has powerful friends...

One of whom is not Elmer J. Fudd:

or the longer new metal head version:
http://www.madmusic.com/watch_video.aspx?id=233

 

[brahmabreeder]

Twin City Poultry has a product that might help

http://www.twincitypoultrysupplies....ain_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=597

It is not too expensive either.

Already do. I feel like it's helping the girls though!

 

[capayvalleychick]

I've been having low fertility in my one pen and no fertility in my other pen. I wanted to try something with them so I separated them yesterday and put them back in this afternoon. When they were put back in I noticed both of them trying to mate but the hens weren't having it. Do you think the hens are just not wanting to let them 'practice'? They are a little bit under a year old. I'm starting to wonder if they just aren't being assertive enough. They've had their ladies for two months now.

It could be the light and time of year. What worked for me, last year, to increase cockerel fertility, was to put the less fertile male in a cage or place where he can see another male actively breeding hens. I had him there for over a week. When I let him out, he was fertile. Got this hint from Walt.
One hen was not fertile at first. I put her, alone with a confident male, in a breeding pen. Again, after about a week, she was producing fertile eggs.
Good luck!

 

[hellbender]

One of whom is not Elmer J. Fudd:

or the longer new metal head version:
http://www.madmusic.com/watch_video.aspx?id=233

Elmer has his own problems...

 

[capayvalleychick]

I went to the Gold Coast Poultry Fanciers 2014 California Classic, yesterday. Every time that I go to a show, a different breed or variety catches my eye. This time, I was really impressed by the heavy weight class of ducks. The size of many of the large fowl continues to amaze me. The Orp, Sussex & Brahma males were in double coops and filled the space. My favorites, this show, were the Light Sussex.

I tried taking pictures of some of the breeds that you all might like, but I'm really bad at getting good chicken photos. None of them would pose for me either. Bear in mind these birds all looked way better in person! The New Hampshire cockerel's photo didn't turn out at all, but he placed Reserve American BV BB.

Java pullet BV BB



Light Brahma cock CH Asiatic BV BB



Orpington cockerel Reserve English BV BB


Light Sussex Cock RV RB


Light Sussex Hen BV BB


Catalana Cock


Catalana Pullet BB


Australorp Best English BV BB

 

[hellbender]

I'm glad I'm not the only one looking to recycle all reasonable food stuffs for my birds.

Queation on the blood-- why add more salt-- when blood is salty to start??

I honestly never tasted the blood...Keep in mind, the blood is mixed with HOT soaked whole oats and wheat, spent hens and culled cockerels, deer meat (road kill) cooked under pressure 'til the bones of all turn to a pasty goo, so a bit of salt won't hurt.

The hens and cockerels are fasted a couple days before being killed, then run through a commercial grinder, everything from feet to beak....including everything. Also cooked under pressure.

While I'm at it, I'll say that I use fish meal, alfalfa pellets, Calf Manna....BOSS and a couple other things. I always use the same ingredients but the ratio changes with the season.

RON

EDIT: Thank you...DragonLady.!!!

 

[hellbender]

I went to the Gold Coast Poultry Fanciers 2014 California Classic, yesterday. Every time that I go to a show, a different breed or variety catches my eye. This time, I was really impressed by the heavy weight class of ducks. The size of many of the large fowl continues to amaze me. The Orp, Sussex & Brahma males were in double coops and filled the space. My favorites, this show, were the Light Sussex.

I tried taking pictures of some of the breeds that you all might like, but I'm really bad at getting good chicken photos. None of them would pose for me either. Bear in mind these birds all looked way better in person! The New Hampshire cockerel's photo didn't turn out at all, but he placed Reserve American BV BB.

Java pullet BV BB



Light Brahma cock CH Asiatic BV BB



Orpington cockerel Reserve English BV BB


Light Sussex Cock RV RB


Light Sussex Hen BV BB


Catalana Cock


Catalana Pullet BB


Australorp Best English BV BB

Beautiful birds...first Catalanas I've seen...even pics of. Very interesting fowl!

 

[Arielle]

Quote: I envy you the benefit of the commercial grinder. Though cooking under pressure is also supposed to improve the softness of the bone and make it more digestable-- perhaps I am mixing that up with the time then spent on the shelf post canning. ( I just started canning chicken for us, not the birds, lol, and have not yet tried the jars with the bones included. )

Meat is too often overlooked as an imporrtant ingredient in feed for fast growing omnivores. I asked at the butchers about any unclaimed deer brought in for cutting, but she already has a list of folks to call, darn.