MJ's little flock

[Ribh]

In South Australia, most of the breeders show their birds. It's likely the same in other states. When I first decided to look at Australorps, I started at the show. All show breeders have unwanted stock destined for backyards.

And they are usually quite a bit cheaper. This is potentially problematic because breeders aren't typically breeding for longevity.

 

[MaryJanet]

And they are usually quite a bit cheaper. This is potentially problematic because breeders aren't typically breeding for longevity.

At present, yes that's true.

But changing practices won't be all that hard with age classes and primary education.

I'm pretty sure most Australians are aware of the issues in the egg production industry - this knowledge is easy to transfer over to fancy breeds.

 

[Shadrach]

Do you have a plan for this MJ. I don't know enough about the Australian chicken industry; I'm including breeders in that description.
I do read a couple of Australian chicken sites. I should delve a bit deeper.

 

[LozzyR]

I'm pretty sure most Australians are aware of the issues in the egg production industry - this knowledge is easy to transfer over to fancy breeds.

Do you think so? There are people I’ve told about shredding who were shocked because they didn’t know about it.

 

[rjohns39]

Good evening folks

 

[Grammy60]

Good evening everyone

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

That is old for a leghorn. How often does Tsuki lay now?

She hasn’t laid for over a month now. Not since she had a light moult.

They are all off the lay at the moment with some feather loss. Before that she was laying every two or three days

 

[MaryJanet]

Do you think so? There are people I’ve told about shredding who were shocked because they didn’t know about it.

When I spoke of transferrable knowledge, I was speaking of practices that the egg industry and the breeders have in common.

As far as I know, breeders don't shred chicks. Those breeding chickens that are not auto sexing definitely are not shredding chicks.

Wrt the egg industry in Australia, any solution I can think of will take a very long time. Some people continue to purchase eggs laid by hens in cages. Ethical shoppers at least buy free range.

Also we know there are animal care standards in place in Australia, even for slaughter. We've got some excellent non-negotiable rules for peolle producing food, with heavy fines. Eg, no chicken meat products for sale in Australia were fed growth hormones and we know this because random samples are tested. A lot of the excellent practice in our food production is unknown to ordinary people, but it can be learned.

 

[MaryJanet]

Do you have a plan for this MJ. I don't know enough about the Australian chicken industry; I'm including breeders in that description.
I do read a couple of Australian chicken sites. I should delve a bit deeper.

To be honest, Shad the first step is checking there really is a need in Australia.

I'll put a survey out to discover how old people's oldest hen is. It's entirely possible that people supplying the backyard market are already breeding birds that can live a long time.

If that's not the case, then there's scope for further action.

 

[Shadrach]

To be honest, Shad the first step is checking there really is a need in Australia.

I'll put a survey out to discover how old people's oldest hen is. It's entirely possible that people supplying the backyard market are already breeding birds that can live a long time.

If that's not the case, then there's scope for further action.

I think there is a need in most countries. Pasture raising in the UK seems to be growing but when it comes to heritage breeds and enthusiasts the economic and social pressure just ins't there. Some of the pasture raised keeping arrangements are far ahead of the average back yard keeper.