46
Housing, Health & Hatching / Re: To wash or not to wash?
« on: April 03, 2015, 06:30:35 AM »
Did any of y'all once NOT wash, and then begin to? Did you notice a significant difference in hatch rate and chick survival?
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47
Housing, Health & Hatching / To wash or not to wash?
« on: April 02, 2015, 08:54:17 AM »
As I practice and learn all I can about chicken breeding, I am weighing the option of washing hatching eggs vs not washing. I have read testimonials on both sides. This group has always given me very good answers from experience, not just research. So please, share with me which you do, why, your success rate, and if you DO wash, what you wash with? Thank you in advance! I am going to be setting my second batch of my layer flock eggs next week with incubation adjustments made so all answers are so very appreciated!!
48
Housing, Health & Hatching / Re: Feed Recipes
« on: March 29, 2015, 05:51:28 AM »
Thanks! I took all the grains in their feed mix and put them in a big jar with fresh water to let them soak. I researched the difference in fermenting and just soaking, and apparently, if left a few days, since they are grains, they naturally ferment! 
I read I could add a touch of whey, yogurt or real buttermilk if i needed to speed up the fermentation, and take a scoop out each day to feed, replacing with a fresh scoop for perpetual fermented feed. So it seems you ARE technically fermenting! I hope they eat the flax and lentils better soaked. I know they do when they are cooked or mixed with a cooked mash. I am also going to be adding a new grain I discovered while researching fermenting that is high in protein, too. I will let you know how the parents (my layer flock) take to the breakfast, and how this perpetual feed works out!
How old do you think the chicks should be before I start introducing soaked whole grains?
I read I could add a touch of whey, yogurt or real buttermilk if i needed to speed up the fermentation, and take a scoop out each day to feed, replacing with a fresh scoop for perpetual fermented feed. So it seems you ARE technically fermenting! I hope they eat the flax and lentils better soaked. I know they do when they are cooked or mixed with a cooked mash. I am also going to be adding a new grain I discovered while researching fermenting that is high in protein, too. I will let you know how the parents (my layer flock) take to the breakfast, and how this perpetual feed works out!How old do you think the chicks should be before I start introducing soaked whole grains?
49
Housing, Health & Hatching / Re: Feed Recipes
« on: March 27, 2015, 08:01:03 AM »
Thank you both! When you talk about the "same ingredients" to make your wet mash, are you referring to the grains and BOSS? And when you soak them overnight, are you soaking them in plain water, or adding ACV, whey, or some other probiotic? I have been making them cooked oatmeal or fresh ground cream of wheat with flax seeds, softened lentils, and some other nuggets mixed in when it was super cold out, but not regularly. I can easily start a routine of soaking their grains.
50
Housing, Health & Hatching / Feed Recipes
« on: March 24, 2015, 06:59:19 AM »
I have mixed my layer flock's feed ever since they graduated from starter, using locally sourced grains, when possible. They are very healthy, and lay as their breed is expected.
For show quality Ameraucanas, though, I am not certain if my feed recipe is the best. I do not use corn or soy due to gmo's and my concerns with soy based foods. While I do not spend the extra for certified organic, I try to get the best quality I can afford. Is there anyone who also mixes their own feed for their show birds? Is anyone willing to share their recipes or insight as to what differences I need to incorporate? Right now, my girls have just begun their full laying potential again after their winter break, so their feathers are looking a bit ragged, but I increased their protein with this batch. Other than that, I really don't know what else I would do for show birds.
Thank you in advance!
For show quality Ameraucanas, though, I am not certain if my feed recipe is the best. I do not use corn or soy due to gmo's and my concerns with soy based foods. While I do not spend the extra for certified organic, I try to get the best quality I can afford. Is there anyone who also mixes their own feed for their show birds? Is anyone willing to share their recipes or insight as to what differences I need to incorporate? Right now, my girls have just begun their full laying potential again after their winter break, so their feathers are looking a bit ragged, but I increased their protein with this batch. Other than that, I really don't know what else I would do for show birds.
Thank you in advance!
51
Breeding / Re: Wheaten, Blue wheaten record keeping
« on: March 18, 2015, 07:51:43 PM »
So far, I have a very small flock so I can keep up! Eventually, there will be way too many!
I have much to learn, too many kids to remember everything, and a knack for research and record keeping, so I need notes and photos!
I have much to learn, too many kids to remember everything, and a knack for research and record keeping, so I need notes and photos!
52
Breeding / Wheaten, Blue wheaten record keeping
« on: March 18, 2015, 07:47:00 PM »
Is there anyone who has kept detailed records, including weights and photodocumentation, of LF wheaten, Blue wheaten and splash wheatens from hatch?