feeding in this cold weather

[micko and jack]

CHAIRDE   FRIENDS

every morning they get a handfull of feed (wheat or barley)

one night I feed wheat

the next barley

every 3 day some peanuts with the night feed

once a week some oil on the feeding

is that enough in this cold weather

[Guest frank dooman]

you need to give them extra in this weather micko they use that to keep warm

[Guest frank dooman]

when its this cold i nearly double the feeding

[micko and jack]

you need to give them extra in this weather micko they use that to keep warm

 

what would you feed frank

im not even thinking about pairing up until end march or even later

jack wants out to the loft these days

but to be honest i cant stick the cold now

should i be feeding peas or something  

[Guest stb-]

OPPS  MINE ONLY GETS BARLEY EVERY DAY  AS MUCH AS THEY WANT

[blaz]

i feed heavy and when my birds dont eat any more i then add peanuts to the hoppers.

[Guest frank dooman]

i paired up boxing day its not usualy as cold as this so we will just have to wait and see if it affects the 1st nests but they are starting to lay yesterday and today so iam feeding breeding mix but i think most dont even know to feed extra when this cold we are used  to it in scotland but even this is getting to the extream for here

[micko and jack]

its really really cold here

im in bed with a viral infection

got out of bed to go and feed the birds

they were ALL in the avairy

the lofts well vented but warmer than the avairy

then that got me thinking about extra feeding

[jimmy white]

when its this cold i nearly double the feeding

 

im afraid im like this ,,,,too soft with them,, was feeding barley in the mix,, but since the cold spell gave them as much mix as they want,, but their flying out  each day

[Guest frank dooman]

 

im afraid im like this ,,,,too soft with them,, was feeding barley in the mix,, but since the cold spell gave them as much mix as they want,, but their flying out  each day

 

i feel you have to do it jimmy to get them past the cold spell i dont think its bieng soft its bieng sencible jimmy dosent matter if they are paired or not they need the extra energy to keep warm that might have been what was wrong with that boys birds that were all fluffed up when you come to think of it

[jimmy white]

its really really cold here

im in bed with a viral infection

got out of bed to go and feed the birds

they were ALL in the avairy

the lofts well vented but warmer than the avairy

then that got me thinking about extra feeding

 

ive been the same as you micko, between one thing and another, felt rotten

i dont think the birds mind the cold as much as we think,,remember, their temperature is about 4 degrees higher than ours,,, but feeding gives warmth, to anything,,,,,and in this weather,,,well  

[bird man of meath]

good post

would  you let the hen's eat as much as the like and what the like???

[jimmy white]

 

i feel you have to do it jimmy to get them past the cold spell i dont think its bieng soft its bieng sencible jimmy dosent matter if they are paired or not they need the extra energy to keep warm that might have been what was wrong with that boys birds that were all fluffed up when you come to think of it

 

yes i agree there frank,,

[Guest frank dooman]

i dont think it will put weight on with it, they will burn it off as quick as you give it

[Guest frank dooman]

good post

would  you let the hen's eat as much as the like and what the like???

 

yes but as soon as the cold snap is over put it back to normal

[blaz]

good post

would  you let the hen's eat as much as the like and what the like???

 

yes hens eat the same but hens are out to fly more than cocks

[jimmy white]

good post

would  you let the hen's eat as much as the like and what the like???

 

if the hens are too fat, it will be harder on them to lay,, but in my opinion , if they get a fly each day,, and a suitable diet,, they should be ok,,, but in this very cold weather  they will loose  fat ,  as the fat is being utilized to keep their temperature right

[jimmy white]

i dont think it will put weight on with it, they will burn it off as quick as you give it

 

snap ;D

[bird man of meath]

 

yes but as soon as the cold snap is over put it back to normal

 

thank's lad's

been feeding only barley as much as they want but will put them back on mix tomorrow

to get alot colder and  more snow on the way.

 

[micko and jack]

thanks for all the replies

BUT

should the feed of wheat or barley be supplemented

with any other feed

or is free access to wheat or barley enough

[Guest frank dooman]

i think its important not to shut up the loft at times like thease the cold weather doesnt bother the birds infact i think they love it but they need the goods to combat the cold and thats feeding but shutting off vents ect will do more harm than good JMO you will prob find that the boys who have not increased there feeding wont have any prob in hens laying they will have burned that fat off to keep warm but for me the distance racing is my object and every thing from the end of the racing last season has been geared to give the birds as much good body form all through the winter and the moult remember you can allways get the weight off but the damage has been done if they dont have any to start with

[Guest frank dooman]

thanks for all the replies

BUT

should the feed of wheat or barley be supplemented

with any other feed

or is free access to wheat or barley enough

 

i would say yes micko some maple peas even maize cant beat a good breed&wean with the protine even peanuts

[Guest frank dooman]

I feed more corn to help  them in the cold weather

 

how cold does it get there don??

[bullcock]

In this weather the birds will need more Carbohydrates than Protein so I give them 50% barley and 50% mixture (widowhood) but most mixtures will do, the barley lightens up the mix so they don't get too heavy during the winter.

P.S. I feed one feed a day, if your worried about not giving them enough then handle them and see if they are overweight or under weight.

[Guest frank dooman]

In this weather the birds will need more Carbohydrates than Protein so I give them 50% barley and 50% mixture (widowhood) but most mixtures will do, the barley lightens up the mix so they don't get too heavy during the winter.

P.S. I feed one feed a day, if your worried about not giving them enough then handle them and see if they are overweight or under weight.

 

fair point bull but i feel they do need more in this weather