The Evolution of Atlas: A Breeding (and Chat) Thread

[speckledhen]

I got the nicest compliment on my YouTube channel today. A nice lady in Australia, not sure if she's a BYCer or not, who is a subscriber commented on my short clip of the great Suedenator.

Cynthia Fuller i think that's why I'm drawn to your channel. They're not just chooks. You know and remember so much about these little guys. Your knowledge is immense and your heart bigger.

Such a nice way to start my day, so sweet. There are crazies out there, but such nice people, too. This thread is full of them (the nice ones, not the crazies, LOL, though some of us may claim that title on occasion ).

 

[speckledhen]

Georgie, my last Delaware, will turn 9 years old next month. Tiny, Neela, Alice and Emily will be 8 years old next month. Maretta, Gloria Jean and Wynette and the remaining three original Belgian D'anvers will be 7 years old on April 6 with Mina and Spike right behind those. Amanda, bless her heart, will be 11 in March, Gypsy is already 10 and Snow, June and Panda are about to turn 10 themselves.

This is an old folks' home, I swear. But, I got 7 eggs today in spite of all that. Both Wynette and Zara came back into lay today after a long hiatus and Tiny's was one of those seven eggs, plus Thea, MaryJo, Wendy and Athena. Lizzie is also laying, just not today. I just wish Hector's Jill would lay! I need that girl's eggs in case of another broody hen. And the Brahmas, what the heck is going on with them?

 

[Leahs Mom]

I saw my 6yo (in March) ee getting in nests yesterday so maybe an egg soon. She was the first to start last year at the end of January.

I've been sprouting regularly this winter for my little flock. A mix of BOSS, organic wheat and organic barley.

My opinion is still that sprouting is a better alternative to ff if folks want to take the time to do it. And there are really simple ways to do it for a very large flock. If someone wants to take the time. For the ff people, it would be no more time invested than doing ff and, if let go a little longer to the "fodder" stage, can provide some greens for the winter.

ETA: And if sprouts are done the way I do it, there's no fear of mold or yeast, alcohol, or any number of items that can go wrong with "inexperienced" (and "uneducated') ferment makers. Too many people have posted as "experts" that folks listen to and don't do their own research. FF is not something that should be done without a really good handle on all the types of fermentation.

[The folks I know who DO know their fermentation wouldn't recommend it in general for feed and, if they do any fermenting for their birds, wouldn't feed it exclusively but only as a choice and likely only on occasion. There are a lot of variables - for example.. histamine levels - that most folks don't even know exist as a possible concern.]

 

[Leahs Mom]

But...
I won't suggest that, or even comment in open forum, regarding the ff topic.

 

[speckledhen]

But...
I won't suggest that, or even comment in open forum, regarding the ff topic.

No kidding. I avoid that subject, too. You're right, there are too many pseudo-experts blabbing their stuff on forums and Youtubes and risking the flocks of anyone who'll listen.

I have no issue with sprouting grains. But, I won't take the time to do that. I have too many birds. I will grow grass or a grain mix in a protected planting bed outside and then let them at it at some point, but no fussy feeding practices for us here.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I get not wanting to add anything more to do! And, thankfully, the way I do it doesn't add any time except a quick rinse. I keep mine on the kitchen counter so I do that when I'm cleaning up the counter.

 

[getaclue]

If ff makes such an impact on firmer pooh, and less odor, they have a problem to begin with. My chickens don't have runny pooh, except cecal pooh is more watery, but it's suppose to be. I can't say there is never any odor, but there is no strong, foul smelling odor, with the exception of a fresh cecal pooh, but even that isn't overly bad, and the odor dissipates fairly quickly. Like I said, if ff makes that much difference, something else is wrong. I know there have been problems with several of the organic feeds not containing the amounts of nutrients they claim to. That is a reason to switch feeds, but not a reason to go to ff.

 

[speckledhen]

If ff makes such an impact on firmer pooh, and less odor, they have a problem to begin with. My chickens don't have runny pooh, except cecal pooh is more watery, but it's suppose to be. I can't say there is never any odor, but there is no strong, foul smelling odor, with the exception of a fresh cecal pooh, but even that isn't overly bad, and the odor dissipates fairly quickly. Like I said, if ff makes that much difference, something else is wrong. I know there have been problems with several of the organic feeds not containing the amounts of nutrients they claim to. That is a reason to switch feeds, but not a reason to go to ff.

Exactly, Cheryl, good point! I have no "issues" to solve with their poop, other than the continuing thing with Lizzie's watery stuff. But, it's limited to her and has been for a long time now. I hope maybe the probiotics I've been adding to their mixture of oatmeal and stuff I give that group every couple of days in this colder weather may help. But, my birds will have to be satisfied with their good quality dry commercial feed and the gamecock conditioner I use as my scratch. If I had just three hens and not almost forty birds, I may be more "fussy", but then again, I see no reason to if they are healthy with good feather quality. There is simply no reason to change what is working. Why fix what ain't broke? You can walk in my barn and take a big whiff and not be put off at all.

Maybe if someone is thinking of jumping on that bandwagon, we should ask them, "What problem are you trying to fix?" Because I bet they have none, not if they're giving them a decent commercial feed and managing them well. They have been told that FF is somehow good for them, even if they have no reason to change what they're doing.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Figured I'd post a photo or 2...a picture's worth 1000 words.

For my small group of birds, I found this strainer that fits quite nicely into a stainless steel soup pot. https://www.amazon.com/Polder-KTH-1...id=1515550190&sr=8-1&keywords=polder+strainer

So I can do the initial soaking in the pot, then just lift the strainer, dump the water and put it back into the pot on the counter. Then I just rinse them in the strainer morning and evening and stick it back into the pot.

That's all folks.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Figured I'd post a photo or 2...a picture's worth 1000 words.

For my small group of birds, I found this strainer that fits quite nicely into a stainless steel soup pot. https://www.amazon.com/Polder-KTH-1...id=1515550190&sr=8-1&keywords=polder+strainer
View attachment 1231932


View attachment 1231933

So I can do the initial soaking in the pot, then just lift the strainer, dump the water and put it back into the pot on the counter. Then I just rinse them in the strainer morning and evening and stick it back into the pot.

That's all folks.
View attachment 1231931

I used to do sprouts when I was breeding parakeets and finches as a hobby. It is pretty easy. Problem is I got lots of chickens so sprouting for them is the same situation as when I make scrambled eggs for my chickens. Not enough to go around.