Heritage Large Fowl - Phase II

[thedragonlady]

Dragon lady do you think choosing longer bodied hens also prevents pinched tail? Most of my hatchery hens that are Hanley bodied have pinched tails but my BCM who seems to be longer bodied doesn't seem to have pinched tail. Or do you think it's more of a combination of longer bodied and wide body that prevents pinched tail?

Pinched tails are generally due to a narrow pelvic assembly. I look for birds that are as wide in the hips, as they are at the shoulders.Compare your BCM, and a couple of your hatchery hens. If you put a dot on each shoulder and hip, and connect the dots, I would like to see a wide rectangle running from shoulders to hips.If you see a square, the bird is too short backed.

 

[thedragonlady]

Vickie, lots of discussion on feeds, perhaps you could pass on your method of "frequent worming"?

thks your opinion and experience are always of interest here

Most birds that I have seen are always carrying some sort of parasite load, due to parasites being carried by wild birds and earthworms.Parasite numbers multiply very fast on overgrazed range, or in deep litter, especially if there is crowding.I run my own fecals, so I know what I'[m dealing with. Hopefully this cold winter has knocked the parasites down a bit.



Here is my feeding program for my Orps.

All babies get Purina Medicated Chick Starter from day one, until 4 1/2
months old. The little babies also get Quaker Rolled Oats once a day, soaked
in hot
water at 3 days old.
At 4 weeks, the babies go on my grain mix for the big birds, in addition to
their
Med. Starter free choice.

I feed whole grains, in addition to their regular ration, to increase
internal organ size.The grains are fed once a day in the evening.

The grain mix is:

1 Part rolled oats
1 part Scratch or Wild Bird seed
1 parts Boss in cool weather. Hulled sunflower seeds in very hot weather.
1 part Calf Manna


All adults have free choice Flockraiser, and oyster shell. I also give them
meat scraps a few times a week. I feed the grains in pans.

All birds are out for at least 4-5 hours a day on good grass.

Worming.......MOST IMPORTANT

All babies are wormed with Wazine in their water at 2 + 3 weeks. Wazine is
never used again .

Safeguard 10 % Goat wormer, alternating with Valbazan at 4 weeks, 6,8,10,
12, 14 weeks
1/4 cc at 4,6,8 weeks
1/2 cc at 10,12,14 weeks.

5 mos on...... I check fecals, and worm about 4 times a year with the
Safeguard, or with Valbazan. 1 CC per Big bird over 8 lbs., repeating in
10-14 days.

Coops are sprayed with liquid PERMETHRIN about 4 times a year. Birds are
sprayed, 4 times a year with diluted Permethrin for lice and mites.

If you follow this program, you will raise big, healthy birds. Please
remember that the imported birds have not developed immunity to US bugs, or
parasites.

 

[armorfirelady]

Quote: Thank you I will try this one day when it warms up and see if I get squares or rectangles

 

[3riverschick]

Kids, what ya gonna do with them !?!

I came home from errands today and went out to gather eggs at the far coop. Looked down and there was
one of my stud cocks at my feet. Now all my coops are fully enclosed. Hum... not good. He came up to me
and let me pick him up while I wondered which coop was open. Turns out it was Knight and Day and the
small white coop on the other side of our property was wide open. Sweetie, the outcross hen, was still in
the coop. I have no idea how long they were out. The lawn is quite dug up around the front of the coop.
But Knight and Day came to me, that was such a relief. I have been working hard to make friends with him
this winter. Found one of his large wing feathers out on the lawn. 6 weeks to grow it back in, sigh.
Looks like the neighborhood kids have been "joking" again. Nuts, now I have to put locks on all the coops.
Best,
Karen

 

[Arielle]

Kids, what ya gonna do with the !?!

I came home from errands today and went out to gather eggs at the far coop. Looked down and there was
one of my stud cocks at my feet. Now all my coops are fully enclosed. Hum... not good. He came up to me
and let me pick him up while I wondered which coop was open. Turns out it was Knight and Day and the
small white coop on the other side of our property was wide open. Sweetie, the outcross hen, was still in
the coop. I have no idea how long they were out. The lawn is quite dug up around the front of the coop.
But Knight and Day came to me, that was such a relief. I have been working hard to make friends with him
this winter. Found one of his large wing feathers out on the lawn. 6 weeks to grow it back in, sigh.
Looks like the neighborhood kids have been "joking" again. Nuts, now I have to put locks on all the coops.
Best,
Karen

GLad they are safe !

 

[3riverschick]

GLad they are safe !

Thanks,
Talked to my neighbor and seems there was a "chubby kid" in my yard today. She caught him trying to
stuff gunk in her mailbox. But they are new to the neighborhood so she didn't know who it was. The school
bus stops at my lot, so I will be watching, smile.
Best,
Karen

 

[Arielle]

Quote: Have your camera ready!! YOu will need solid evidence. Let him do it again AND have the pics to prove it.

 

[Apdeb]

Kids that hurt animals are psychopaths!!! Be careful get pictures call the authorities!!! Bad situation so sorry karen

 

[MagicChicken]

Quote: Put her with your second choice rooster for her. THen check for fertility.

Yes, that seems like it ought to be a good idea. Unfortunately I tried it already. She's just not laying. Can't have fertile eggs if there are no eggs at all.

Sarah

 

[thedragonlady]

Kids, what ya gonna do with them !?!

I came home from errands today and went out to gather eggs at the far coop. Looked down and there was
one of my stud cocks at my feet. Now all my coops are fully enclosed. Hum... not good. He came up to me
and let me pick him up while I wondered which coop was open. Turns out it was Knight and Day and the
small white coop on the other side of our property was wide open. Sweetie, the outcross hen, was still in
the coop. I have no idea how long they were out. The lawn is quite dug up around the front of the coop.
But Knight and Day came to me, that was such a relief. I have been working hard to make friends with him
this winter. Found one of his large wing feathers out on the lawn. 6 weeks to grow it back in, sigh.
Looks like the neighborhood kids have been "joking" again. Nuts, now I have to put locks on all the coops.
Best,
Karen

Hot wire is a great teacher....