FEED TO SUCCEED
Choosing your hens One of the first decisions you will have to make is what breed of birds you want.
Chicken lifecycle
You are likely to come across the terms “heavy breed” and “light breed”. Light breeds are well suited for egg production. Heavy breeds tend to grow “heavy” at a young age and are ideal for meat production.
• 6 weeks – 18/20 weeks = pullet
Some good light breeds to try and include are Ancona, Leghorns, Minorca and Hyline Browns. Some of the more popular heavy breeds are Dorkings, Orpingtons, Sussex, Rhode Island Reds, Plymouth Rocks and Wyandotte.
Day old chicks need to be kept in a box where the temperature is gradually reduced from 35°C at first to 33-35°C over 7 days. After 4 weeks they will be able to cope with temperatures around 25 to 27°C. A 60 watt light bulb suspended over the box should be enough to keep the box warm. Allow enough room for the chicks to be able to move away from, or closer to the heat source so they can find their ideal temperature. Providing adequate water and the correct food is important. Put your day old chicks onto a high protein starter ration in a crumble form like NRM Chick Starter (see page 29).
Do your research to find out the best breed for your property and your needs. Many breeds are available to purchase as 1 day old chicks and you may even be able to get them couriered right to your door!
What to buy
• Birth – 6 weeks = chick
• 18/20 weeks onwards = layer
Day old chicks
We recommend you purchase your replacement flock from reputable sources.
Point-of-lay
Often the classified section of rural newspapers will have advertisements for poultry detailing available breeds and prices.
Point-of-lay pullets are about 16 weeks of age and are just at the point-of-laying, which usually starts at 18-20 weeks of age.
For best results, purchase day old chicks in April, which come into lay in September and lay right through to the following November or purchase point-of-lay pullets in September.
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