Texas

[jajeanpierre]

I would like to process my own chickens. I never have, and don't know if I could, but I would like to give it a try one day. DH says he will help me with anything but that. He can't stand the way the boiled chicken feathers smell. Those auto pluckers are nice, but a tad too expensive for me. Maybe one day.

You can always skin them. I suspect if the chickens are clean to begin with, the smell from scalding isn't as bad. I've skinned everything I've processed. It's really easy to do.

Here's a BYC group dedicated to people like you and me who want to process are own chickens but have no experience. You'll find it under "Meat Birds.

Processing Day Support Group ~ HELP us through the Emotions PLEASE!

 

[jajeanpierre]

I am looking for a good food to feed and have discovered that there is a LOT to choose from! I'd like to buy locally so ordering isn't something I want to do right now. Maybe open to that in the future when I have a better handle on how long feed will last.

D&L carries a brand by Coyote Creek Farm that is supposed to be good. Has anyone tried it?

The other feed store carries Bryant and Red River. NOt sure what organic they have. I won't shop at the third store. I don't like the guy that runs the place.

I'm going to try an order of Breeder that they formulated when I asked them about it. I still haven't got a quote from the distributor.

 

[Ms Jellybean]

It's funny how you think things are going to go one way and then they don't. I should be used to that by now since that always happens with me. I still get frustrated over it though....

What am I talking about? The breeds of chicks I want to get. grrrrr!!!!!!

My plan for breeds I"m getting is changing by the minute right now. I think it is settling down though.

I'm getting silkies and a cream legbar from the breeder in Farmersville, a Delaware from the feed store (in May), I can get a BA from the feed store too at the same time if they still have them, and BCM's from a guy in TN (from on here). I'll be getting 3 of them, but really only want one. I can sell the extras, or keep them. I'm still looking for a buckeye. Hoping the feed store can get one for me.

I wonder if I should just get them all from MPC... I think I will end up paying about the same. I could get them about the same time.... Of course sourcing them from breeders is better, even if some are coming from the feed store.

My mind is spinning. Need to take a step back here and regroup.

If I order from MPC I can't get the chicks until July (right now, that can and will change the longer I wait. Could get them sooner too. It depends on how things play out on their end), but I would get one of each of the breeds I really want.

If I go local, plus the guy in TN, I end up with want, but not all the breeds I want. Mainly I can't get a buckeye. I really want a buckeye.

But I also don't want to wait until July for chicks.

I guess I just made up my mind.

 

[Ms Jellybean]

I'm going to try an order of Breeder that they formulated when I asked them about it. I still haven't got a quote from the distributor.

I'm going to try it. I'm also going to look into food that is non-gmo and no soy that might not be organic.

I've been reading that some corn isn't bad as long as it is non-gmo. Also found out that if the protein source is from fish you could end up with fishy tasting eggs.

No thank you!

edit: Apparently fishy eggs aren't an issue with commercial feeds. Not sure that I want to risk it...

 

[jajeanpierre]

I'm going to try it. I'm also going to look into food that is non-gmo and no soy that might not be organic.

I've been reading that some corn isn't bad as long as it is non-gmo. Also found out that if the protein source is from fish you could end up with fishy tasting eggs.

No thank you!

I've used Texas Natural, which is non soy and non GMO. It's not organic. I think the breeder formula Coyote Creek designed has soy.

I want something for my mixed flock. In the past, I hadn't cared very much if the roosters got into trouble with the extra calcium of the layer formula, but now I intend to breed exhibition quality birdsso I do care what happens to my breeding/exhibition roosters. I'm not 100% sure what I'll end up feeding or if I'll end up designing my own feed--that prospect doesn't thrill me at all. I'm basically a lazy feeder--I like just getting it out of a bag and not thinking about it. Fermenting is a big step for me.

 

[Ms Jellybean]

I've used Texas Natural, which is non soy and non GMO. It's not organic. I think the breeder formula Coyote Creek designed has soy.

I want something for my mixed flock. In the past, I hadn't cared very much if the roosters got into trouble with the extra calcium of the layer formula, but now I intend to breed exhibition quality birdsso I do care what happens to my breeding/exhibition roosters. I'm not 100% sure what I'll end up feeding or if I'll end up designing my own feed--that prospect doesn't thrill me at all. I'm basically a lazy feeder--I like just getting it out of a bag and not thinking about it. Fermenting is a big step for me.

I'm looking into Texas Naturals. It's a lot less expensive. Still all non-gmo and protein source is fish with peanuts. I'll probably go with that. I plan to supplement minerals too. I know I need to be careful with that so I don't get too much calcium.

 

[jajeanpierre]

I'm looking into Texas Naturals. It's a lot less expensive. Still all non-gmo and protein source is fish with peanuts. I'll probably go with that. I plan to supplement minerals too. I know I need to be careful with that so I don't get too much calcium.

You shouldn't need to supplement until they start laying, at which time you switch to a layer formula and supplement with a bowl of oyster shells for them to choose to eat or not.

 

[jajeanpierre]

Also found out that if the protein source is from fish you could end up with fishy tasting eggs.

No thank you!

edit: Apparently fishy eggs aren't an issue with commercial feeds. Not sure that I want to risk it...

You can get a fishy taste with flax, I believe. You won't get a fishy taste from a commercial feed, although I think I remember someone complaining that they got it with one of the Omega 3 feeds or supplements. If it happens, you just switch the feed or cut it with another feed. It's all about the concentration.

 

[Ms Jellybean]

You shouldn't need to supplement until they start laying, at which time you switch to a layer formula and supplement with a bowl of oyster shells for them to choose to eat or not.

I knew chicks didn't need supplements. Just oyster shells? Ok. I've read people feed the egg shells back too. The chicken guy does this. They bake them to kill any bacteria. Not sure what temp of for how long. I'll have to find out.



I found out that there is a possibility of my being able to get a buckeye from the feed store. They are on a wait list for them. They guy that orders didn't know about the breed. He does now and was interested enough to order them in.

My day is improving.

 

[lovingmyhens]

You say neighbor...where are you? I used to be super active in the forum until i lost my flock, been waiting Til spring to start over!

Sorry to hear about your flock. I hope all goes well with the new chicks!!

Melanie