BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[NanaKat]

My grandmother and Roger's mother followed the moon cycles in both their gardens and when setting eggs under a hen or in the incubator. Thought I would try that this year as part of my hatching program.
The Almanac indicates that chicks hatched between the New moon and the Full moon in the fruitful signs of Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces would be healthier and mature faster. If you are interested in trying it, here is that schedule gleaned from the many calendars in the Almanac:
You will need count backwards 21 days to determine the dates for setting those eggs...double check my dates..I did this quickly.

New Full. Best days for hatching in 2017 Date to set
Moon. Moon. (Moon phase).
2/26. 3/12. March 6 -7 (Cancer). Could set quail 2/17
3/27. 4/11. April 2-4 (Cancer). 3/11-12
4/26. 5/10. April 30 - May 1 (Cancer). 4/9
5/25. 6/9. May 27 - 28 (Cancer) and June 5 - 6 (Scorpio). 5/6 And. 5/15
6/23. 7/9. June 27 a 28 (Cancer). And July 2 - 4 (Scorpio) 6/2 and 6/11
7/23. 8/7. July 30 - 31 (Scorpio). 7/9
8/21. 9/3. Aug. 27 - 28 (Scorpio). 8/6
9/20. 10/5. Sept 23 - 24 (Scorpio). And Oct 2 - 4 (Pisces). 9/2 and 9/11
10/19. 11/4. Oct 20 - 21 (Scorpio). And Oct 30 - 31 (Pisces). 9/29
11/18. 12/3. Nov 18 (Scorpio). And Nov 26 - 27 (Pisces). 10/28 and 11/5
12/18. 1/2. Dec 23 - 25 (Pisces). 12/2

I had spacing in the columns when I typed this.....

 

[dan26552]

My grandmother and Roger's mother followed the moon cycles in both their gardens and when setting eggs under a hen or in the incubator. Thought I would try that this year as part of my hatching program.
The Almanac indicates that chicks hatched between the New moon and the Full moon in the fruitful signs of Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces would be healthier and mature faster. If you are interested in trying it, here is that schedule gleaned from the many calendars in the Almanac:
You will need count backwards 21 days to determine the dates for setting those eggs...double check my dates..I did this quickly.

New Full. Best days for hatching in 2017 Date to set
Moon. Moon. (Moon phase).
2/26. 3/12. March 6 -7 (Cancer). Could set quail 2/17
3/27. 4/11. April 1 - 2 (Cancer). 3/11-12
4/26. 5/10. April 30 - May 1 (Cancer). 4/9
5/25. 6/9. May 27 - 28 (Cancer) and June 5 - 6 (Scorpio). 5/6 And. 5/15
6/23. 7/9. June 27 a 28 (Cancer). And July 2 - 4 (Scorpio) 6/2 and 6/11
7/23. 8/7. July 30 - 31 (Scorpio). 7/9
8/21. 9/3. Aug. 27 - 28 (Scorpio). 8/6
9/20. 10/5. Sept 23 - 24 (Scorpio). And Oct 2 - 4 (Pisces). 9/2 and 9/11
10/19. 11/4. Oct 20 - 21 (Scorpio). And Oct 30 - 31 (Pisces). 9/29
11/18. 12/3. Nov 18 (Scorpio). And Nov 26 - 27 (Pisces). 10/28 and 11/5
12/18. 1/2. Dec 23 - 25 (Pisces). 12/2

I had spacing in the columns when I typed this.....

I set some chicken eggs on a day the almanac said two, they hatched insanely fast and grew like weeds, almost fully feathered by 3 weeks.

 

[NanaKat]

I fudged today and set 13 Wyandotte eggs under a very determined broody Cochin. They will hatch March 9 ...a Leo sign.
But the breed pens will be ready in time for the Almanac schedule.

 

[NanaKat]

My grandmother and Roger's mother followed the moon cycles in both their gardens and when setting eggs under a hen or in the incubator. Thought I would try that this year as part of my hatching program.
The Almanac indicates that chicks hatched between the New moon and the Full moon in the fruitful signs of Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces would be healthier and mature faster. If you are interested in trying it, here is that schedule gleaned from the many calendars in the Almanac:
You will need count backwards 21 days to determine the dates for setting those eggs...double check my dates..I did this quickly.

New Full. Best days for hatching in 2017 Date to set
Moon. Moon. (Moon phase).
2/26. 3/12. March 6 -7 (Cancer). Could set quail 2/17
3/27. 4/11. April 2 - 4 (Cancer). 3/11-12
4/26. 5/10. April 30 - May 1 (Cancer). 4/9
5/25. 6/9. May 27 - 28 (Cancer) and June 5 - 6 (Scorpio). 5/6 And. 5/15
6/23. 7/9. June 27 a 28 (Cancer). And July 2 - 4 (Scorpio) 6/2 and 6/11
7/23. 8/7. July 30 - 31 (Scorpio). 7/9
8/21. 9/3. Aug. 27 - 28 (Scorpio). 8/6
9/20. 10/5. Sept 23 - 24 (Scorpio). And Oct 2 - 4 (Pisces). 9/2 and 9/11
10/19. 11/4. Oct 20 - 21 (Scorpio). And Oct 30 - 31 (Pisces). 9/29
11/18. 12/3. Nov 18 (Scorpio). And Nov 26 - 27 (Pisces). 10/28 and 11/5
12/18. 1/2. Dec 23 - 25 (Pisces). 12/2

I had spacing in the columns when I typed this.....

I set some chicken eggs on a day the almanac said two, they hatched insanely fast and grew like weeds, almost fully feathered by 3 weeks.

Glad to hear that.

 

[alisar]

Vacation is over, it's stinky brooder time. We have been having a ridiculous amount of rain here in Southern California which means chicks in the dining nook. Normally I am strict on keeping the chicks/chickens outside but with all the wind and rain it's just too much for those little guys.
My first batch of Naked Necks were really fast hatchers and near 100 fertility. Pretty pleased! I can't wait till summertime to taste a Bresse/traderjoes/Aracucana Naked Neck

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

Vacation is over, it's stinky brooder time. We have been having a ridiculous amount of rain here in Southern California which means chicks in the dining nook. Normally I am strict on keeping the chicks/chickens outside but with all the wind and rain it's just too much for those little guys.
My first batch of Naked Necks were really fast hatchers and near 100 fertility. Pretty pleased! I can't wait till summertime to taste a Bresse/traderjoes/Aracucana Naked Neck

 

[Beer can]

@NanaKat
I seemed to remember someone starting a hatch along based on the moon. Yup, chickencanoe.
Have you seen these threads?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/975265/waxing-moon-in-cancer-hatch-a-long

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/536525/hatching-eggs-by-the-moon-thread

 

[Beer can]

Anyone see those Sasso naked neck broilers? and know if any are available in the US?

 

[GabrielBane]

*Crosses fingers* If all goes well.... We may have some Ixworth's here soon. I'll report back in with that.


However, I did have a few questions for you all;
I had a young couple approach us to raise the birds for their wedding. They're having 80 guests and would like to serve chicken breasts (I believe they said 1/3lb of breast meat?) but don't want cornish X due to lack of flavor. they're getting married in june so I know time is of the essence for ordering. Logistically, I had planned on ordering 100 Cornish X's and calling it a day, now that she wants something more heritage... Well... I'm a bit stumped. What do you guys think? Any recommendations on breeds/how many to order for a wedding of this size? :C I had planned on possibly using this as my excuse to try the S&G NNs out, but I don't want to run that risk for a wedding, y'know?

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

*Crosses fingers* If all goes well.... We may have some Ixworth's here soon. I'll report back in with that.


However, I did have a few questions for you all;
I had a young couple approach us to raise the birds for their wedding. They're having 80 guests and would like to serve chicken breasts (I believe they said 1/3lb of breast meat?) but don't want cornish X due to lack of flavor. they're getting married in june so I know time is of the essence for ordering. Logistically, I had planned on ordering 100 Cornish X's and calling it a day, now that she wants something more heritage... Well... I'm a bit stumped. What do you guys think? Any recommendations on breeds/how many to order for a wedding of this size? :C I had planned on possibly using this as my excuse to try the S&G NNs out, but I don't want to run that risk for a wedding, y'know?

If it were me, I'd go with the Naked Necks. They will be delicious. I can't imagine trying the S&Gs would be a problem. Even my NNs from Ideal were good eating and most were decent sized (though it was a variable group - you're likely to get more uniformity with S&Gs).

(Just IMHO)