June 12, 2012
About two months ago I changed my poultry feed to an organic feed. Farmgate are the company that make it, the hens did not notice the change of feed and it has not effected their laying or their fertility! All Good! :) Info of the feed click " HERE"
Posted by Ian C.
January 29, 2012
There is a cold spell of weather coming according the experts which means the water will more than likely be frozen for most of the day! Be sure that you birds have access to liquid water at all times during the day! Also be aware that the freezing weather may cause frost bite to the combs of your chickens, particulary the large combs of roosters, which is not a good thing if you intend to show the bird this spring. I suggest some vaseline on the combs to prevent this. Continue reading...
Posted by Ian C.
January 4, 2012
Hope everyone had a great christmas, and a great 2011. Thankfully the weather was not as bad as winter 2010 which made keeping the chickens happy alot easier, no ice/snow and plenty of grass available.
The highlight for me in 2011 was when two of my Silver Dutch hens getting first and second in their class in the ISPF National Show in February and also a young Silver Dutch taking Reserve Show Champion at the Clonakilty Ag. Show. For me it was the year of the Silver Dutch!!
My preparation for th... Continue reading...
Posted by Ian C.
September 18, 2011
Breeding season is finished here for the Winter.
Most birds going through molt at the moment and egg laying is at a minimum.
No more eggs will be incubated, and the last hatch was by a silkie bantam last week who hatched 5/5 Buff Orpingtons!
I have alot of Silver Dutch, Buff Orpington, Golden Brahma and Buff Wyandotte growers at the moment and will be keeping the best for breeding and showing in 2012 and will advertise the surplus for sale in March/April.
I started breeding the bantams late this ... Continue reading...
Posted by Ian C.
July 24, 2011
What do I feed the chickens is one of the first questions that I get asked by a beginner getting chickens. Even if your not new to the hobby you may still wonder; can I feed kitchen scraps? Does it matter what I feed my layers? My answer is that it does matter what you feed your chickens. I suggest that you buy the chicken feed that is formulated for the age/purpose of your chickens. There are specific feed for chicks, growing chickens, egg layers and meat birds. Each type of food has varying am... Continue reading...
Posted by Ian C.
July 15, 2011
ill-informed reporters and journalists are always stating that the reason for the huge growth in keeping a few chickens in the backyard is due to the recession and the chance to save money on the weekly shoping bill.
I'l tell you now that you will not make lots of money, you may come close to covering costs...but thats it.
People should keep chickens because it is an interesting and relaxing hobby, in which you can escape for the hectic world for a while and get back to nature, and the deliciou... Continue reading...
Posted by Ian C.
June 21, 2011
Yet again all the hens seem to be going broody! Within the last week and a half I have had 6 hens go broody: 1 Brahma, 2 X breed, 1 Orpington, 1 Barnevelder and 1 d'Uccle. The problem now is to find enough eggs to go under them all as I already have 6 hens with chicks that are not laying! Continue reading...
Posted by Ian C.
June 20, 2011
Yesterday was the Tallow monthly bring and buy sale, this sale only started last year and is doing really well. It is one of the few sales that have more buyers attend than sellers! I brought 7 birds with me, 3 hens and 4 cocks, and they all sold! I arrived just before 10am and was sold out by 11.15am, and could then get home early and enjoy the sunny weather. Continue reading...
Posted by Ian C.
June 12, 2011
I attended the Midleton show last week, the first time a poultry section was there.
I brought 3 birds, 1 gold Brahma hen, 1 silver Dutch and 1 buff Wyandotte bantam.
I was pleased with how the birds did, getting second with the silver Dutch and a third with the buff Wyandotte bantam.
Today, the 12th of June, I attended the Clonakilty show, again I only brought 3 birds, a gold Brahma hen, silver Dutch hen and a buff Wyandotte hen. These three are different hens to the ones I brought to Midleton s... Continue reading...
Posted by Ian C.
May 5, 2011
With the warm weather in the last few weeks, a lot of the hens have decided to go broody. I have eggs under Buff Orps, Brahmas, Silkies, and cross bred hens. Well over 50 eggs under them all together, so because of this I wont have much hatching eggs for sale in the next few months. With all the broodys it also limits the amount of hens I can enter in the shows that are coming up in the next few months. Continue reading...
Posted by Ian C.
| |
