Texas

[Scoutmedic]

Greeting from Helotes!! It's a small town just NW of San Antonio. My family currently has 14 hens, two roos, and 10 chicks. We've only had chickens for less than a year, but are enjoying all that they offer.

 

[Kilsharion]

I have had horrible luck with most organics, and Purina layer the worst of all. Purina is all vegetarian. Chickens are not vegetarians and need the animal proteins. They won't touch most of those feeds, even if that's all they get for 3 days in a row. When a CHICKEN won't eat something for that long, I figure something is seriously wrong with it.

Um...I'm getting confused reading this. Could you clarify what you are saying? Organics do not mean "no meat"...H&H is full organic - and, they use meat. They also use Flax seed which provides a natural source of Omega 3s. I'm not quite sure I was reading you correctly since I was reading that you seemed to be saying that organic feeds were vegetarian feeds. Something I'm pretty much against. Even though my chickens are a bit different than you are used to, apparently - I have some that flat out refuse to eat just about anything but morning mash forage or fresh berries, worms, crickets, grapes, etc (unless I'm holding it in my hand) and then I have others who refuse to forage, refuse treats and eat only their feed (and sometimes skip morning mash to eat their dry feed). I've apparently got about the only picky chickens in existence.

Some of what I've been reading has shown that having one source of animal protein was good for production, fertility and hatch rate. Better, yet, having two sources was even more successful. Fish meal and a secondary source (in this particular case, dried skim milk apparently was the best secondary additive, though not the necessary secondary) provided a solid growth rate, greater fertility, stronger/healthier flock, healthier progeny and more successful hatches. Now, given, then document I was reading was dated around the late 30s; but, I've found they tend to have quite a bit of information that is pertinent to this day.

 

[Kilsharion]

Greeting from Helotes!! It's a small town just NW of San Antonio. My family currently has 14 hens, two roos, and 10 chicks. We've only had chickens for less than a year, but are enjoying all that they offer.

Welcome

 

[RachaelS]

Quote: I think what galanie is saying this that the " organic" food she has available does not have animal protein, it uses soy bean, instead of animal product for protein. Not that all organic is bad, but the ones available at the local feed place are using proteins other than animal and chickens need animal protein.

 

[Scoutmedic]

Is anyone aware of poultry shows in the San Antonio surrounding area? The livestock show focuses on broilers, but that's not really my interest. I'm wanting something more varied.

 

[showbarnmom]

Comal.county has a show at the fair as well as a chicken club that hosts a show

 

[Kilsharion]

Is anyone aware of poultry shows in the San Antonio surrounding area? The livestock show focuses on broilers, but that's not really my interest. I'm wanting something more varied.

Dunno about poultry shows so much - but the Austin Funky Chicken Coop tour is in March.

I think what galanie is saying this that the " organic" food she has available does not have animal protein, it uses soy bean, instead of animal product for protein. Not that all organic is bad, but the ones available at the local feed place are using proteins other than animal and chickens need animal protein.

ah ha! gotcha. I was definitely misunderstanding the intended meaning, then

 

[hehahn]

@ Scoutmedic-

Did you know about the South Texas State Fair in Beaumont? It's March 23. I live on the NE side of Houston, only about an hour from there, and I've never even heard of it! And they evidently have a pretty big show, from Bantams to Large Fowl. I would like to take my kids and check it out this year if I can.

Here's the link:
http://www.ymbl.org/events.aspx?s=h&sf=all&view=GalleryView&c=3&sc=15

 

[jockeyeba]

Is anyone aware of poultry shows in the San Antonio surrounding area? The livestock show focuses on broilers, but that's not really my interest. I'm wanting something more varied. 

http://www.fancyfeatherstx.org April 13th in San Marcos Welcome, we're in Selma

 

[jockeyeba]

We live in Wimberley, Texas. The beautiful Hill Country. We have seven new baby chicks. And this is all new to this city girl.  I lost one baby chick last night. Not sure why. Broke my heart. Blamed myself. I understand this happens. Looking forward to this new venture though.  I love this web site. I actually learn how to clean a pasted butt today. The message thread was very helpful. Wait till I share this with the girlfriends from Houston.