Pastoral Poultry, Traditional Farming For A Modern Era

[Partyfowl]

Silkiemomma...
I heard of a lot of people using quarts for grit. I personally stay away from silica. 1.) I am allergic. 2.). When inhaled its know to cause respiratory inflammation. I figure with chickens so prone to respiratory issues anyways I should avoid potential irritants. But that's just me. I free range my chickens the majority of the day. So I do not substitue with any grit. If they need it, they will find it. It's just one more level of domestication I'm trying to avoid. If you do not free range, an alternative you could use is play sand in their run. Play sand is silica free and you can scoop out their waste with a cat litter scooper. It's very economical at about $4. Per 50 pounds. Hope this helps.

 

[silkiemomma42]

We do free range during the day, and they coop at night. I always offer grit because they seem so fond of it. Maybe I should just stop then? We don't have particularly rocky soil I was trying to be more proactive. I will try without for a week to see how they do. Didn't make the correlation between respiratory and silica and chicks. Makes sense.

 

[jime]

Welcome jime,
We share some of the same varieties. I have had a lot of interest in the Dorkings as well, but I also read a lot about lack of egg production, and very limited genetics in the US. We are trying Faverolles as an alternative. They have Dorking blood, are extremely friendly, and apparently were bred to be good year round layers for the Parisian markets when Marans would go off in the winter. Something to consider. I think most Faverolles are bred toward show, but we've had some here and there and they have the potential to be nice dual purpose birds.
Good to have you here!
-Brice

Hello Brice:
Actually I am waiting for my Faverolles, they were suppose to be here a month ago but weather is not cooperating for me, so I hope they make it this Monday,they are from a breeder I went for production I guess I can paint the barn later .

 

[alisar]

That's funny, that's going to be the basis of my "yummy" pen also. Dorking, Bresse, Basque. I have a silver penciled rock cockerel growing out to be the daddy over these pullets, he has a ridiculously huge frame but has not filled out yet. I think the Bresse/Rock combo might be a good mix, both my high percentage Bresse (f2 Bresse over black broiler from Ideal Poultry) and my pure Bresse really pack on the meat quickly. I'm getting Basque eggs locally and some exciting Basque/Orpington eggs from Naturespace.

My project is on a very very small scale compared to you guys though, I'm not sure if I should be on this thread

 

[alachickenman]

Welcome alachickenman,
At first I thought that name was a kick back to the magician on Sesame Street that would say... "al la peanut butter sandwiches!" But now I realize your from Alabama. Oh well, hope you're old enough to understand the reference

Sounds like you have a great plan and its really nice to hear you've considered your climate wisely. It will make your project a much more successful one. What are the "red eye devices" that you mentioned? Great to have you on the thread!
-Brice

Haha I never heard that reference with my screen name! I do try to plan out my moves very well. That ole saying, "Measure twice and cut once" sort of thing. Here's a link to the red eye device on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Nite-Guard-NG-001-Predator-Control/dp/B0014FGT8C

One of the reasons I plan on free ranging my meaties is to cut down on the amount of feed I have to buy for them. I don't think I have the know-how yet or ability to raise all of my own food. But I am going to try to raise meal worms year around and sprouts in the fall/winter time. For those of you raising meaties (or layers for that matter) how much do you find you can cut back on the store bought feed because of ranging and other supplements?

Paul

 

[jime]

Haha I never heard that reference with my screen name! I do try to plan out my moves very well. That ole saying, "Measure twice and cut once" sort of thing. Here's a link to the red eye device on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Nite-Guard-NG-001-Predator-Control/dp/B0014FGT8C

One of the reasons I plan on free ranging my meaties is to cut down on the amount of feed I have to buy for them. I don't think I have the know-how yet or ability to raise all of my own food. But I am going to try to raise meal worms year around and sprouts in the fall/winter time. For those of you raising meaties (or layers for that matter) how much do you find you can cut back on the store bought feed because of ranging and other supplements?

Paul

I am not an expert but I have about 50 -60 birds (chickens, chicks, ducks and geese) and I spend about 300 every 4 months that includes the organic grains for sprouting (main food) some organic mash )layer 20%, grower and starter this last one been the most expensive), organics grains for fodder (this is share with the 2 rabbits and 3 horses.They free range all day long and go to their lock coops at night, I feed them meal worms , dubia roaches and crayfish as well for protein. If I was to buy just the store food (organic layer grower and starter I will be spending about 300-400 a month.

 

[Partyfowl]

Paul..
I have only ever free ranged so I have no comparison. However, to cut down on the feed bill you could try fermenting their grains. This will add roughly 13% more protein for virtually nothing. During the winter you could sprout bulk wheat (or whatever you have readily avail) in trays for 12-14 days until the grass is about 2.5 inches tall. (2.5 is about peak, you won't benefit from letting it get taller, it'll just increases your chance of fungus) This will get you close to 20-30 % protein. Also gives the chickens some green to peck at. Check your local co-op or a local farmer for bulk grains.

 

[bayocum]

Haha I never heard that reference with my screen name! I do try to plan out my moves very well. That ole saying, "Measure twice and cut once" sort of thing. Here's a link to the red eye device on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Nite-Guard-NG-001-Predator-Control/dp/B0014FGT8C

One of the reasons I plan on free ranging my meaties is to cut down on the amount of feed I have to buy for them. I don't think I have the know-how yet or ability to raise all of my own food. But I am going to try to raise meal worms year around and sprouts in the fall/winter time. For those of you raising meaties (or layers for that matter) how much do you find you can cut back on the store bought feed because of ranging and other supplements?

Paul

Paul,
One thing to note...when we say "meaties" around my group, we are referring to cornish-x. If thats what you're referring to, be aware that they are neither proficient foragers or free-rangers. Our Bresse will eat the porridge I make for them in the morning, but also spend a lot of time in the pasture. This makes a significant difference. "Meaties," or as we call them, "dinosaurs," are really eat, sit and poop birds. That said, you can get them to work a little more for their food as long as you do what some folks do, 12hrs on, 12hrs off for their food. The purpose of this is as much to save them from literally eating themselves to death as it is to reduce feed costs, but it will do both. So you will save some, but not sure how much. Others might have a better idea. Thanks for the link, definitely checking it out.

 

[alachickenman]

Paul,
    One thing to note...when we say "meaties" around my group, we are referring to cornish-x.  If thats what you're referring to, be aware that they are neither proficient foragers or free-rangers.  Our Bresse will eat the porridge I make for them in the morning, but also spend a lot of time in the pasture.  This makes a significant difference.  "Meaties," or as we call them, "dinosaurs," are really eat, sit and poop birds.  That said, you can get them to work a little more for their food as long as you do what some folks do, 12hrs on, 12hrs off for their food.  The purpose of this is as much to save them from literally eating themselves to death as it is to reduce feed costs, but it will do both.  So you will save some, but not sure how much.  Others might have a better idea.  Thanks for the link, definitely checking it out.

Wow! My green is showing. Haha I thought meaties was just a general term for any bird raised for meat. I wont have any CX's. Just raising some Orps for meat this year.

 

[bayocum]

Hey Paul...no, no, you're not "green," I was just trying to clarify what you meant. And I didn't mean to imply everyone on this thread uses the term the way "we" do (my family). This isn't one of those thread with insider terminology, at least not yet...ha ha. Have you processed Orps before? Our chocolate orps forage and free-range more than any other birds we have...it significantly cuts down on their feed...so you might be in luck. Of course ours are not for eating. I'd be interested to hear if you've had luck with orps as meaties. Are they buffs or?
-Brice