pride&joy :
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I don`t know what others are feeding, but I feed Purina Starter til they are 2 months, then it`s Purina Game Bird Blend from then on. Been doing it for years with great results. No fat and a big strong breast. Blend is 14% protein which is about right. Orientals should not have a high protein diet as they grow too fast. I had a Mong point out to me that they feed mostly rice in Asian countries and the birds were developed and maintained on low protein feed. Higher than 14%-16% ain`t good for them.
In So FL, most all the birds of Spanish blood are from Cuban (shorter legs) or Puerto Rican (longer legs) stock. They are all reffered to as "Spanish", until you start talking to a Hispanic cocker, who will call them by other names, commonly taken from breeders of a bloodline. Same thing with most any gamefowl. In Asils, names were originally taken from towns or regions where they were bred. Now, at least in the US, it`s the breeder, original importer, or somebodies whim. Get yourself that book by Horst Schmudde called "Oriental Gamefowl". Even though Horst is a premedonna, his book is the best available today. I think you can get it from
Amazon. Don`t know of anything good in print for Spanish Games, but hang out at the feed store and talk to some Hispanic cockers. If you can convince them you aren`t a cop and win their trust, they are a world of information on the Spanish fowl. Good luck.......Pop
Hey Pop,
Thank you for the words of wisdom, will be ordering the book today. As far as what the locals call them amongst themselves I have some idea. (actually have some what should be nice chicks from one line and a promise of a stag from another well though of line hopefully coming. I was doing the math and it turns out the older shamos are hatched in early Feb, and since you told me about the assils they seem to be maturing daily.
Do you thing a 4x12x6 is goof for maybe a shamo trio? Also how tall should I make common wall, as not to have them fence fight, I am afraid if I just go floor to sealing it wont have enough of a breeze?
Ish
The common wall should be about 36" tall so a tall cock can`t look over it by stretching. Don`t put the roost too close either. Your measurements are fine as long as you can stand up in the pen. In your area, shade is the big deal with rain as an afterthought. Rain is good for them, unless you have a bunch of stags together. Put your nest boxes on the ground. When Animal Control comes snooping, they look for shade and clean water.
Orientals mature very slow. A stag over one year, but under two years, is a bull stag. They don`t reach full maturity until around 2 years, although pullets lay around 6 mos and roosters are really macho from 7-8 mos on. Asil chicks will often start a scrap when you aren`t looking and are capable of mortal combat before they get all their feathers. Broken necks, wings, and legs are common as well as the traditional strawberry heads. Sometimes other Orientals do the same, but not as common.
Sounds like you have some good Spanish stock comming. I`m very invious as I no longer have any Spanish. Good luck to ya..........Pop
