Chicken Lifecycle Birth – 6 weeks = Chick 6 weeks – 18-20 weeks = Pullet 18-20 weeks – Death = Layer A chicken will begin laying at around 20 weeks. It takes 24-26 hours to produce an egg. By 30 weeks of age egg production will begin to taper off. […]
Livestock
10 posts
The house Check the code Depending on whether your birds are free range or permanently housed. 9 birds per square metre. Protect birds from draughts and rain but also have adequate ventilation. Have nesting boxes at least one box per 4 hens (although chances are they will try to use […]
Food Eggs contain a large proportion of high quality proteins – these come from the food source not the chicken. Calcium ensures quality egg shells. A bid will eat around 120-130g feed a day. It is best to provide a self feeder so birds can help themselves. Most commercial feeds […]
Housing RCD rabbit calicivirus disease also known as RHD rabbit hemorrhagic disease. Vaccine is not 100%. If contracted mortality occurs within 24 hours. Highly contagious. Pro-grass is cheap feed Set up costs are higher Cages 600mm deep. Make doors are large as possible or opening roof. SPCA recommend cage should […]
Health Issues and Combs Parasites – looks like black mould (scaly leg mite). Smother comb with petroleum jelly to suffocate mites. Reapply over several days. Fowl cholera – Purple comb, along with swollen wattle, temperature, coughing, ruffled feathers, lameness. Favus – fungal condition. Also known as white comb or avian […]
Ears and Eggs (his is not 100% accurate but… White lobes = white eggs AND Red lobes = brown eggs Araucana is an exception to this with blue or green eggs regardless of their ear colour Egg Issues Blood spots – 2-4% of eggs laid will have a bloody spot. […]
Diarrhoea – Enteritis (inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract). This can be caused by diet change or coccidiosis. Symptoms include dehydration, weight loss, loss of appetite. (Rabbits are hind gut fermenters and rely on the the correct balance of bacteria to digest foods. Ear Infection – Commonly caused by Psoroptes cuniculi […]
So you are thinking of getting meat rabbits. Great choice! They are a healthy low-fat, low cholesterol source of protein. Any recipe recipe that requires chicken can be substituted with rabbit. They take minimal space or equipment. There is not a huge cash outlay to set up. And they are […]
What to Feed Your Rabbit PER DAY: 1 cup leafy greens per pound of body weight High fibre rabbit pellets 25g-500 g per day (approx. 1 egg cup) Unlimited hay Unlimited water Fruit as and occasional treat Hay should be 80% of rabbits diet. Feed roughly a bundle the same […]
Basil Anti-bacterial Catnip Sedative, insecticide Coriander Anti-oxidant, fungicide, good for strong bones, high in Vitamin A and K Dill Anti-oxidant, relaxant Fennel Laying stimulant Garlic Laying stimulant Lavender Stress reliever, insecticide Lemon Balm Stress reliever, anti-bacterial, repels rodents Marigold Laying stimulant Marjoram Laying stimulant Mint Insecticide and rodent repellent Nasturtium […]