Daily chicken September 28
I changed the chickens' feed last week, now they eat like crazy! Switched to Purina Layena with oyster shells in it, and away from dumore. They never flocked to the feeder like this with the old feed, so I'm thinking this is a keeper.
The Purina has a tiny bit more protein, coming in at 16%. The chicks also get bugs and more animal protein via eggs and tuna because they need more protein usually. I just decided to stick with one feed instead of two.
I'm going to start growing a more diverse forage for them with some vetch and lots of herbs. I'd really like to get away from commercial feed as much as I can, but I figure it'll never be 100% out of the equation.
It looks like mama and/or Turkey are getting the hang of nest making. Opened up the nesting box and someone had made three nests right next to each other.
Maybe they'll be laying soon! That would be a super cool treat. I've heard they don't lay in the winter, so I imagine all nine will be in full swing starting in spring, which is pretty exciting when added onto the work we are planning this off season. Next year will be really exciting I think, and the more I talk with Melissa about it, the more on board she gets.
Y'all have a good evening. Here soon I'll make a post with some progress finally. It's been slow here the last few weeks, and I'm feeling it.
Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed it.
Stay relevant
Nate
Depending on your goals for your birds, their best health and production, unfortunately, will be tied to sufficient commercial feed. There are several reasons for this.
Back in the late 40's there was a contest to develop the best bird for commercial use. Many heritage breeds were affected by this to a large extent, others not much at all. This was because some breeds worked better for what they were trying to achieve. So the heritage birds of today have little resemblance to the birds of the 1930's.
They were bred to do well on a specific commercial food. It has the nutrition (usually) needed to support their now larger, more productive, faster growing bodies. If you try to reduce or replace it with other foods, and don't replicate the balance, they will not do as well.
Also, birds like sex-link, hybrids, need this better food. They have a higher need due to higher production. They also have, generally, a shorter life.
Having said that, you can safely add up to 10% of their daily ration, BY WEIGHT, of supplementation. As long as they are eating, and you are sure THEY are eating, the correct amount of ration, you can supplement and improve their diet.
Of course, if they are just to be pets, and not provide or be food, then it's not as important to be careful of feeding.
Wow, that sucks. Do you know which heritage breeds were less affected?
If I'd known about hybridization, I probably wouldn't have gone with sex links. I like the idea of heritage birds. On the bright side, they're supposed to be really productive, so that's good.
Yes, the hybrids are very productive. I don't know off hand which breeds. I have 2 items about that contest I could send you. One is a video made at the time, and another an article about a follow contest. If you would like them, let me know how to get them to you...
Really? :D
I'll send you my address on discord.
Ok