Heritage Large Fowl - Phase II

[Arielle]

Quote: Rebag the calf manna into gallon zip bags , label and put in a freezer. Remove as needed. If you have room , of course.

Quote: x2-- I'm glad to know I'm not the only one tracking down all reasonable animal protein for the chickens.

Quote: In my experience if the hen gets too much calcium, it is deposited on the eggs sheels as tiny spheres in clumps. THey scrape right off usually.

Often fish meal can be used to provide animal protein; only small amts are necessary- like a teaspoonish a day. A complete protein to better round out the vegetable proteins; corn and soy are good combinations to be fairly well matched. add an animal protein and the mix is very good.

( While I"m not a poultry nutritionist I did take a lot of animal nutrition classes. My books would be old and outdated, but the principles are the same. Feed enough good quality proteins and micro/macro nutrients.THe performance of the animal is the best judge.)

I thought the calcium was the big reason to not feed the layer? The breeder has 3-4% of it. They do get free choice oyster shells so calcium deficiency hopefully isn't going to be an issue.

ETA: what should I be feeding the chicks? I was reading on here that Buckeye breeders were feeding 28%+ protein to their birds they were raising up and getting superior results. Now I was also reading on the Langshan thread that too high of a protein can cause their legs to blow out. Not sure which route to go. High or low protein?

Remember that calcium is balanced with other nutrtients to make a shell. THis is where the details excape me-- phorphorus most like ly the other component. ANd specific vitamins to aid int he absorption from the gut into the bloodstream for use. CHickens will steal minerals from their bones if the menu does not contain enough; then during down time like molt replenish the bones.

 

[gjensen]

I was in the feed store this past weekend asking whether any poultry feeds available had animal protein. The store manager told me they don't because most feed manufacturers make feed for a variety of livestock, and if they make anything with beef protein they can't make cattle feed; if they make anything with swine protein, they can't make swine feed; etc.

My basic approach is, keeping chickens should not be a hassle. I don't mind working with different feeds to find the best for my flock, and I keep different formulations for different groups (starter, grower, adult) but try not to make it harder than it needs to be. I am going through a lot more feed since I stopped fermenting, and may try the middle ground of just soaking overnight next. I have to keep it simple enough so that when I have to be away a couple of days and nights to teach a class, Bob doesn't have to refer to an encyclopedia to take care of the chickens.

LOL. I had the same trouble for a bit. I was working in and out of town, and I had my process a bit too complicated. Then I kept changing it according to age groups etc., and my boys caught the devil keeping it straight. I then realized I had gotten carried away.

 

[Canieldonrad]

Had a good hatch of La Flèche this week. But you will just have to take me for my word.

Also, had 2 more hatch out with red on their backs. So I guess I will have something to tinker with. Try out this concept of breeding gold leakage for enhanced female plumage. If anything I can just get lazy about the red in them and pretend that I am developing "Brown Red La Flèche."

 

[BGMatt]

Wow, i just lost it lol. I would really prefer to see them bring in red and speckled

Not if they're that poor of quality. Fine bone (as evidenced by the scrawny legs and tiny head). Why does this place get a pass for horrible birds? Is it because they're "imported" or because they charge so much money?

 

[Apdeb]

Its because they are owned by an atty
And buyer beware. Ill bet you anything that imported bird is from some breeder in us
Maybe they brought in eggs!!! Very hard to bring in live birds

 

[Canieldonrad]

Its because they are owned by an atty
And buyer beware. Ill bet you anything that imported bird is from some breeder in us
Maybe they brought in eggs!!! Very hard to bring in live birds

My La Flèche are imported... never mind that they were imported 200+ years ago. Just shake your head and agree.

 

[BGMatt]

My La Flèche are imported... never mind that they were imported 200+ years ago.  Just shake your head and agree.

LOL! Make sure you're marketing them as such! It could double your income on sold birds! Think I'm going to try that, an Imported Heritage Croad Langshan should command a better price tag than a regular old standard bred Langshan.

 

[3riverschick]

Quote: That was disingenuous. Hasn't anyone been reading the quotes I have been posting?

These birds are only 6 months old. They aren't Langshans, Brahmas, or any other breed. They are Sussex.
This is an exciting event for Sussex fanciers and breeders.

A whole new strain for us to work with.
I don't understand why folk wish importers would bring in this and that breed...then when one does,
they diss it.

There is a lot to work with in these birds. No bird is perfect. It's been a while since I have seen a breed jeered at
like this on this thread.

It is not hard to bring in live birds if one is a registered importer like Greenfire. Read the Company history.
They are not the only importers either. Other companies import animals of all kinds all the time. Greenfire just
happens to specialize in poultry.

I feel sad that folk cannot see the potential in these birds.

As I quoted earlier,
how they are mated and the prepotency in them from the blood of their ancestors is more important than the
individual bird's detailed phenotype.

I think birds from this import would be best served if they were mated in small matings from each of the different
strains available in the US to see which ones nick best. Then move on from there. It is also possible they may do
best within a closed gene pool of their own strain. I think it will all depend on how closed a gene pool they came
from and how prepotent they are for breed type.
Best,
Karen

 

[Apdeb]

Karen i was not picking on your sussex
I just know that with that place its buyer beware!!! Do your research!!! Many skeletons in that closet common knowledge!!!

 

[hellbender]

That grinder could cull that gene pool, to your birds' delight.

AND...