Mahonri's 3rd Annual, BYC Easter Hatch-a-long!

[1muttsfan]

Congrats on the educational scores. I can't seem to figure out the new format here, not too blessed with computer and internet skills, and probably at the point of fitting in the "old dogs can't be taught new tricks" category. 

 

Steve, I know Opa felt that way too, but the old rooster has gotten this whole thing a lot faster then I have.

I happen to be in the Everything is Better with Bacon school

 

[NotAFarm]

I just want to know how many of you are horrified that Jack-in-the-Box has made a bacon milkshake? HORRIFIED!!!

I love bacon........I mean love, love, love bacon..........but it's suppose to be crispy and warm......not liquidy and cold..........

 

[littlecreekfarm]

I'm in! Sounds like fun!

 

[Mahonri]

Has allergy season started where you live?

I absolutely HATE Phoenix from February 5th until the first day the temp hits 105.

C'mon JUNE!

 

[coldupnorth]

North shore of what? Cold here too.

North Shore of the big pond (Superior) in Minnesota

 

[ChestnutRidge]

[...]So since there are very few places that we can buy Breeder Feed out there, I'm wonder how most folks supplement their normal layer feed during the weeks (usually 3) before egg collection begins. [...]

So how do you change your feed regimen in preparation for a hatch?

Thank you for this! I would love to hear others' ideas as well. My layer feed (Countryside Organics) has kelp meal, Nutri-Balancer, and such, but I wonder if it is enough for breeders? I've added the MannaPro Poultry Conditioner because I had it on hand, but I'm thinking that is not enough... I'll check out kathyinmo's Kent breeder formula, too.

I just want to know how many of you are horrified that Jack-in-the-Box has made a bacon milkshake? HORRIFIED!!!

Nightmares. Now I will have bacon-themed nightmares...

PS: I got A's in Organic Chemistry I & II, Calculus I, II & III, a cumulative GPA of 3.89 for my Pharm.D. - and yet this eludes me.

I feel your pain. I have to keep trying to tell myself that I am generally competent despite my apparent inability to adapt...

By the way - I can't believe I was off for just 24 hours and had 80+ posts to catch up on. There is still a month before we even set! I think the thread is doing great!!!

 

[java girl 2]

Contests

HOW ABOUT A CONTEST FOR HOW MANY POSTS WE WILL DO FROM NOW TO EASTER??

 

[AK Michelle]

P. S...... Doesn't #7 look like Judge Judy?

Yes! Yes it does!

 

[Spangled]

I would love to hear others' ideas as well. My layer feed (Countryside Organics) has kelp meal, Nutri-Balancer, and such, but I wonder if it is enough for breeders?

By the way - I can't believe I was off for just 24 hours and had 80+ posts to catch up on. There is still a month before we even set! I think the thread is doing great!!!

Countryside Organics is quality. If you are feeding the feed in the link (above), then that's a perfect base feed from my way of looking at things. It's even got yeast culture in it. I see it has fishmeal, but its position on the list isn't very high which usually is listed according to weight (descending). A little bit more of fresh meat (don't ask me how much) for increased animal protein to make the eggs healthier and reach their potential size-wise may be all that is necessary for a good breeder ration. Plus making sure it's fresh. Heuser mentions p. 413 (with backup documentation from a few studies) that soy can interfere with reproduction and hatchability in chickens, so you won't have that possible issue to deal with (if in fact it's truly a problem) since you've got soy-free feed.

On the topic of fresh meat ... in a book called something like Mrs. Basley's Poultry Book of Questions and Answers (or something or other) she mentions ... now remember this book is from ... I don't know ... around 1900 or maybe before ... she says that rabbits, squirrels, and groundhogs or some other small type rodentia-style animals are a good source of fresh meat for the chickens.

I'm not criticizing anyone who may want to feed their chickens that way; I just find it amusing because it's so far removed from anything I've ever read in contemporary chicken books. Things were so different in the old days. We've got "squirrel crossing, slow down" signs up in a nearby neighborhood. Quite the contrast.

For those reading along, BuckeyeDave gets "sawdust" from his butcher to give to his chickens. I guess it's stuff that is leftover after butchering. It's in the Buckeye breed thread. About a couple of weeks ago.

I'm having trouble keeping up with this thread, too. But it sure helps to have some of the messages coming through into my email.

 

[AK Michelle]

Mine get a meat bird food, made locally, plus all the scraps, leftovers, trimmings from the kitchen. And if the teenagers don't mind their manners they could be on the menu too. My birds aren't picky