At this time of year most of my attention is devoted to trying to ensure a successful breeding season for 2018.
The dark early evenings of winter gave me an opportunity to dip into my old poultry book library and I discovered that the problems so often discussed amongst standard bred poultry breeders in the 21st Century were just as common some 70 plus years ago.
When selecting for the breeding pen you naturally pick out what you think are your best birds. “Few breeders seem to consider health and stamina as a prime factor when putting the pen together. As a consequence birds are bred from that lay thin shelled eggs and birds that produce eggs with low hatchability. This is the first indication of lack of vigour. “
Does this sound familiar? In those days there was high mortality during the rearing period as the quality of feed, additives and drugs were not available as they are today. Lack of vigour today can therefore be masked by the use of high quality feed, feed additives and the use of drugs.
Denne historien er fra March - April 2018-utgaven av Practical Poultry.
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Denne historien er fra March - April 2018-utgaven av Practical Poultry.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Growing food for Chickens
Mary Larham explores some crops to grow on your holding…
Poultry in the garden – the truth!
Jo-Jane Buxton shares her experiences
The British Waterfowl Association
Which came first, the goose or the egg?
WHY FIT A FAN IN AN INCUBATOR?
Brinsea Products, the Incubation Specialists explain the difference between still air and forced draught
Incubating turkey eggs
Janice Houghton-Wallace looks at broody turkeys and artificial incubation
Chicken nesting box herbs
Diana Clauss owns The Blue Feather Farm, in St Cloud, Florida, home to chickens, ducks, goats, and Anatolian Shepherd dogs.
Incubate in January?
Jessica Wombwell says plan the breeding
Andy's DIARY
Andy emphases the importance of keeping out damp and wet but allowing ventilation even in cold weather
Feeding for Breeding
It may be winter, but as Joanna Palmer, nutritionist for Smallholder Range explains, now’s the time to get your flock in tiptop shape and plan ahead for a successful breeding season next spring.
A chick named Cuckoo raised by a duck!
Chris Hammacott and her husband live on a small croft in the Outer Hebrides, they keep a ‘no kill’ flock or rare and rescue sheep which they use to spin and weave rugs. They also share the 8 acres with hens, ducks, cats and 9 rescue pugs.
