Heritage Large Fowl - Phase II

[BGMatt]

Is the second feed you give them like an all flock?

I consider it that yes, although we sell it as a layer ration since it is also balanced for efficient laying. (The first feed I mention, but the second feed they're given...man I made that confusing. The 17-19% I would consider an all flock feed if I had to compare it to something commercially available.)

I also whole heartedly second Fred's Hens about animal protein being essential. We use fish meal in ours, and if I ever run out I use Gamebird feed since it's the only stuff I can find that has animal protein.

 

[brahmabreeder]

Alright thanks. I think my plan of action for next year is feed all chicks hatched out a 20% starter feed until they are probably 6-8 months old. Then switch to the all flock( I think ours is 20% but it might be 18% ). About a month or two before shows add manna pro conditioner plus maybe calf manna and BOSS to get those Brahma nice and bulky. Should I supplement anything in for breeding season( mines starting as soon as they start laying )?

 

[Fentress]

I wish I had a local mill for feed. There is no way that I am going to grow and grind it myself. I rely on lots of free range and cover crops to provide a diverse diet.

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

Alright thanks. I think my plan of action for next year is feed all chicks hatched out a 20% starter feed until they are probably 6-8 months old. Then switch to the all flock( I think ours is 20% but it might be 18% ). About a month or two before shows add manna pro conditioner plus maybe calf manna and BOSS to get those Brahma nice and bulky. Should I supplement anything in for breeding season( mines starting as soon as they start laying )?

Not sure when you plan to start breeding, but I hatch all of my LF chicks in Dec, Jan, Feb (winter hatching for me = larger finished birds). If you breed during this period I find that males need supplemental lighting to insure fertility as much as females need light for egg laying.

Personally, I dont feed anything supplemental

 

[Zanna]

Any advise on a good/recommended off the shelf cabinet incubator? Dickey, GQF?

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

Any advise on a good/recommended off the shelf cabinet incubator? Dickey, GQF?

My Sportsman 1502 is AWESOME (digital version).....I think it would hatch a rock

 

[ronott1]

Any advise on a good/recommended off the shelf cabinet incubator? Dickey, GQF?

Brinsea?

I have wanted a Dickey Incubator for a while now.

 

[Zanna]

Thank you both for the opinions. Love my 2 GQF Hovabator 1588's but needing one with more capacity.

 

[ronott1]

Thank you both for the opinions. Love my 2 GQF Hovabator 1588's but needing one with more capacity.

You can't go wrong with a cabinet GQF incubator.

I hatch in a Genesis 1588 from GQF.

Will you be hatching for New Years Day?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/835798/5th-annual-byc-new-years-day-2014-hatch-a-long

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

Thank you both for the opinions. Love my 2 GQF Hovabator 1588's but needing one with more capacity.

If you'll keep an eye on craigslist, you might find one there occasionally!! Darn things aren't cheap and shipping cost from Ga to Oregon is probably a little $$ too.

SAVE the 1588s to use as hatchers!!! That's what I did with mine.....incubate in the Sportsman (or other large machine), hatch in the smaller one for staggered hatches