Useful Info - Taylor Made Poultry

November 5, 2018November 5, 2018

Taylor Made Poultry Advantage Card

Start saving with our Advantage card .

As a member you will benefit from the following!

Up to 10% discount on selected lines, (This includes food, treats, feeders/ drinkers, treatments, housing and any hens.)*
10% off hen boarding
E-mail updates and tips
2 week guarantee against health problems* on P.O.L hensAsk in store for more details or to sign up

Taylor Made Poultry, Countryman’s Choice, Cadleigh Park, Ivybridge, PL21 9JL

Tel: 01752 426422
info@taylormadepoultry.co.uk
www.taylormadepoultry.co.uk

* T & Cs apply, please ask

November 2, 2018

How to tell if an egg is fresh?

Place the egg into a bowl of cold water.

The water level should be deeper than the egg’s length.

Observe what the egg does.
Fresh eggs will sink to the bottom of the bowl and lie on their sides.

Slightly older eggs (about one week) will lie on the bottom but bob slightly.

If the egg balances on its smallest end, with the large end reaching for the sky, it’s probably around three weeks old.

Please keep in mind that this can change depending on temperature stored and refrigeration.

Eggs can be kept for over a month outside and over 3 months refrigerated.

November 2, 2018November 5, 2018

What gives my egg its colour?

Colour of the yolk:

Yolk colour is dependent on the diet of the hen; if the diet contains yellow/orange plant pigments known as xanthophylls, then they are deposited in the yolk, colouring it. A colourless diet can produce an almost colourless yolk. Farmers may enhance yolk colour with artificial pigments, or with natural supplements rich in lutein (marigold extracts are a popular choice).

Colour of the shell:

Egg shell colour is caused by pigment deposition during egg formation in the oviduct and can vary according to species and breed, from the more common white or brown to pink or speckled blue-green.

In general, chicken breeds with white ear lobes lay white eggs, whereas chickens with red ear lobes lay brown eggs.

Although there is no significant link between shell colour and nutritional value, there is often a cultural preference for one colour over another. For example, in most regions of the United States, chicken eggs are generally white; while in the northeast of that country, and in countries as diverse as Costa Rica, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, they are generally light-brown. In Brazil and Poland, white chicken eggs are generally regarded as industrial, and brown or reddish ones are preferred.

November 2, 2018November 2, 2018

Chicken Facts 1

There are at least two hundred breeds and variations of domestic chickens on record, most though are extinct or rare.

•There are more chickens on earth than there are people, over three billion in china alone.

•The red Jungle fowl Gallus gallus is generally believed to be the ancestor of the modern domesticated chicken.

• Recent evidence suggests that domestication of the chicken began in Vietnam over 10,000 years ago.

•Chickens are the closest living relative of the tyrannosaur.

•If you have a fear of chickens you may be Alektorophobic.

•A chickens’ heart beats at an amazing 280-315 beats a minute.

•Chickens enjoy dust bathing and become frustrated if they are prevented from doing so, such as in the close confinement of factory farmed battery hens.

•In their natural environment Chickens are fastidiously clean and preen their feathers everyday

•Chickens are omnivores, this means they eat both vegetables and meat. In the wild, chickens eat grain, seeds, fruit, other vegetation, and insects, they often scratch at the soil to search for seeds and insects. Chickens like girt in their diet, which helps them to digest their food.

•In the wild Chickens may live for five to eleven years however in the confinement of intensive farming, a meat chicken, called a broiler, generally lives only six weeks before slaughter

•Some breeds of chickens can lay coloured eggs: Ameraucana and Araucana can lay eggs colored in shades of green or blue, depending on the breed.

•In their natural environment Chickens live together as a flock. They have a communal approach to the incubation of eggs and raising of young.

•Chickens have been depicted on postage stamps such as this one from the Faroe Islands issued 2007.

November 2, 2018

Chickens in Culture

•Chickens are good mothers In Ancient Rome the term “You were raised by a hen”, was considered a compliment. As is a similar expression “Mother hen”, which implies a chicken is a good mother as is the reference in the bible in Matthew 23:37 “How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.” This is a metaphor eluding to the protective nature of a mother hen who reaches out to gather her chicks under her wings to shelter them and keep them safe.

•Chickens like most animals feature in religious belief and mythology. There is a delightful belief in Islam that when a cock crows it is because he has seen an angel. In the Hadith, Muhammad commands, “When you hear the crowing of cocks, ask for Allah’s Blessings for they have seen an angel.

•The chicken has a great significance during the Hindu cremation ceremony in Indonesia. A chicken is tethered by his or her leg during the duration of the ceremony so that any evil sprits may be channelled into the chicken rather than the family members who are present. After this ceremony the chicken is returned home and is not treated any differently.

•The cock has become a symbol of both vigilance and betrayal due to the account in the bible where Jesus prophesied Peter’s betrayal ‘I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.'”(Luke 22:34)

•In the cult of Mithras, the cock was a symbol of the divine light and a guardian against evil.

•The rooster is a real gentleman so to speak and when he finds something good to eat he often calls his hens to eat first. This considerate behaviour may be the reason the Talmud (Judaism) speaks of learning “courtesy toward one’s mate” from the rooster.

•In many Central European folk tales, the devil is believed to flee at the first crowing of a cock.

•The Rooster or Cock is one of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar. The most recent year of the rooster occurred between February 9th 2005 to January 28th 2006. the next year of the rooster is 2017. Those born in the year of the rooster are said to be sociable, shrewd ,very accomplished, outspoken, boastful, courageous, practical but also dreamers, to name just a few of the personality traits which roosters are said to possess.

November 2, 2018November 2, 2018

Chicken Facts 2

Chickens are the subject of the 2002 popular film Chicken Run which is the hilarious story of a group of Chickens who escape from their coop before their own makes them into Chicken pies!
Chickens are able to communicate with their mother whilst still in the egg and she with them. They can hear their mother’s vocalisations and understand them after they are born.
In 2007, researches were able to extract small amounts of collagen protein from a 68 million year old Tyrannosaourses Rex leg bone. Futher analysis confirmed that the chicken is the closed living relative to the T.Rex
A Chicken can run about 9 miles per hour a human can usually manage 12- 15 mile per hour
The world record for the most eggs laid in one day is seven
The record for multiple egg yolks in one egg is nine
Chicken language has real meanings. The birds give different alarm calls depending on which type of predator is threatening them.
Chickens can cross breed with turkeys. The result is called a ‘Turkin’
Chickens experience REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. (I wonder what they dream about?)
There are seven distinctive types of combs on chickens: rose, strawberry, single, cushion, buttercup, pea, and V-shaped.

November 2, 2018

Chick Chick Chick Chicken trivia

You can literally hypnotize a chicken by holding it and drawing a line in the dirt over and over. The chicken will stay still right there as long as you do this.
Colonel Sanders (the Kentucky Fried Chicken guy in the white suit) was the second most recognized public figure in the world in 1979.
Did you know that some breeds of chickens can lay coloured eggs? Sure enough, the Ameraucana and Araucana can lay eggs coloured in shades of green or blue, depending on the breed and it’s ancestry.
In Fruita, Colorado, the town folk celebrate “Mike the Headless Chicken Day””. Seems that a farmer named L.A. Olsen cut off Mike’s head on September 10, 1945 in anticipation of a chicken dinner – and Mike lived for another 4 years WITHOUT A HEAD. Mike died from choking on a corn kernel.
In Gainesville, Georgia – the chicken capital of the world – it is illegal to eat chicken with a fork!
One punishment for an adulterous wife in medieval France was to make her chase a chicken through town naked. The source doesn””t state whether it was the chicken or the wife who was naked.
According to National Geographic, scientists have settled the old dispute over which came first — the chicken or the egg. They say that reptiles were laying eggs thousands of years before chickens appeared, and the first chicken came from an egg laid by a bird that was not quite a chicken. That seems to answer the question. The egg came first.
Beijing boasts the world””s largest Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant.
Chimney””s used to be cleaned by dropping live chickens down them
The closest living relative of the t-rex is the chicken which makes the phobia ””Alektorophobia”” (Fear of chickens) slightly more plausible.

October 29, 2018

Health Products

All of the health related products are specially chosen by us and tried ‘n’ tested to ensure that it does exactly as it say on the tin! And only then will it be on our shelf, so when the time comes you can buy in confidence! We also do specialised tonics which get to the root of the problem quicker.

A few of the brands we stock are –

Verm-X
Thrive Range
Intervits Multivit
Nutrimin (Cider Vinegar)
Barrier
Agrivite
Global Herbs

When it comes to mites you don’t want to waste money and time on products that don’t really to the job, for that reason we sell SMITE as will kill anything will an exoskeleton (mites/ lice) but also disinfect the coop at the same time! Smite is available in liquid(concentrated or ready to use) and in organic powder form.

We also sell an insecticide spray (lasts for 6 weeks after application) and a insecticide fumer

To see our full range of products please Click Here

October 29, 2018

Bedding

We stock a range different types of bedding as asked for by our customers!

Any other type of bedding we do to order.

Small Flake Shavings Compressed softwood fluffy shavings – dust extacted
Whole Barley Straw Compressed whole Barley Straw
Meadow Hay Uncompressed and slightly scented
Smart Chick Bedding – 30L Produced from 100% FSC UK sourced dust free softwood, this premium woodchip poultry bedding is not only good for the animals but, being organic and biodegradable, it’s good for our environment. Smart Chick is available in 30 litre bags. 1 bag per sq metre a month
Chopped Wheat Straw – Large and Small bales The Straw is chopped to increase absorbency and softness then cleaned and dust extracted. Economical – very long lasting Biodegradable and rots down quickly Consistent – bale to bale Dust free – passed through dust-extraction plant Saves money – needs less frequent changes of bedding Natural – no additives are used Environmentally Friendly More mite resistant than conventional straw
Mixed Shaving – Large and Small Bales Premium quality, kiln dried, white soft wood shavings, screened to remove fine dust particles; compressed into large bales.
Wood Pellets – 4kg and 15kg Pellets are 100% sterile and made from top-quality raw materials with no additives of any kind, making them the perfect bedding material for your flock. Containing a lower moisture content than freshly cut timber, (typically <10%) helps to greatly reduce the occurrence of moulds, spores and mites resulting in a healthier and happier flock.
Burly Bed Bale 100% miscanthus (elephant grass) Economical, ultra-absorbent, lasts longer Easy to maintain, saving time Dust extracted Carbon neutral and bio-degradable Naturally sustainable product Environmentally friendly crop

Aubiose Bales

October 29, 2018

Foods We Stock

We stock 4 main brands of food –

+ Fancy Feed
+ Smallholder Range
+ The Organic Food Company
+ Harpers Home Mix

Our 20kg Bags of Layers Pellets and Mixed Corn Start From £7.99

The type of food we stock is

+ Chick Crumb (5kg / 20kg)

Fancy Feed chick crumb is uniquely formulated with all the essential nutrients to promote good health and even growth. It is suitable for all types of poultry chicks, including ducklings and goslings, up to 6-8 weeks old.
The feed contains quality protein with essential amino acids for muscle and skeletal development.
Cooked, highly digestible wheat for carbohydrate energy to support growth.
Includes betaine to help reduce the risk of dehydration, and fully balanced with vitamins and minerals.
With Sel-Plex organic selenium to support the body’s antioxidant defence system and immunity.
Contains Bio-Mos (natural prebiotic) to optimise gut health and immune response
This feed is medication free, and is made from natural Non-GM ingredients.

+ Grower Pellets (5kg / 20kg)

Fancy feed Grower Pellets are specially formulated to provide a complete and balanced diet for all types of growing poultry, including ducklings, goslings and bantams from the age of 6-8 weeks to 18-21 weeks.
The quality protein in the feed provides essential amino acids to support rapid muscle, tissue and skeletal development as the bird grows.
Highly digestible cooked wheat helps meet the increased energy requirements of the growing bird.
Fully balanced with vitamins and minerals, including Sel-Plex organic selenium, to support growth and tissue integrity, as well as the immune system.
With Bio-Mos natural prebiotic, for a healthy gut, and betaine to reduce the risk of dehydration.
Contains an organic acidifier to reduce the risk of bacterial or fungal infection from the feed itself and so further benefit gut health.
Medication free and can be fed right the way through to those birds being reared for the table.

+ Layers Pellets (5kg / 20kg)

Fancy Feed Layers Pellets are ideal for free-ranging and penned birds. The Layers’ Pellets are formulated to provide a complete balanced diet for all types of adult and laying poultry, including ducks, geese and bantams.
The Layers Pellets contain the nutrients essential to promote good health and well-being in the bird as well as supporting egg production, including quality protein with essential amino acids for tissue and feather production and egg development, Micronised wheat for carbohydrate energy and fibre.
With Omega 6 fatty acids for egg production and natural plant extracts from marigold and paprika for a golden yolk colour. With Sel-Plex organic selenium to support the body’s antioxidant defence system and immunity as well as egg shell integrity.
Fancy Feed Layers Pellets are fully balanced with vitamins and minerals, and are medication free, and is made from natural Non-GM ingredients.

+ Mixed Corn (5kg / 20kg)

Mixed Corn is an appetising blend of English wheat and cut maize which can be fed to all kinds of poultry, waterfowl and bantams to complement a fully balanced diet of pellets or mash.
Ideally fed as a treat in the afternoon, Mixed Corn provides carbohydrate and fibre calories which are digested by the bird overnight. This helps maintain body temperature which is particularly beneficial during the winter months. Mixed Corn can be scattered on the floor of the pen to help satisfy the birds’ instinct to scratch and peck. Fancy Feeds Mixed Corn consists of 70% Wheat and 30% Maize.

+ Layers Mash (5kg / 20kg)

Fancy Feed Layers Mash is ideal for free-ranging and penned birds. The Layers’ Mash is formulated to provide a complete balanced diet for all types of adult and laying poultry, including ducks, geese and bantams.
The Layers Mash contain the nutrients essential to promote good health and well-being in the bird as well as supporting egg production, including quality protein with essential amino acids for tissue and feather production and egg development, Micronised wheat for carbohydrate energy and fibre.
With Omega 6 fatty acids for egg production and natural plant extracts from marigold and paprika for a golden yolk colour. With Sel-Plex organic selenium to support the body’s antioxidant defence system and immunity as well as egg shell integrity.
Fancy Feed Layers Mash is fully balanced with vitamins and minerals, and are medication free, and is made from natural Non-GM ingredients.

+ Layers Crumble (5kg / 20kg)

+ Waterfowl Pellets (20kg)

Fancy Feeds Fenland Waterfowl Pellets are formulated to provide a complete balanced maintenance diet for all types of adult and laying ducks, geese and waterfowl.
Fancy Feeds Fenland Waterfowl Pellets contain essential nutrients to promote good health and well-being in the bird as well as supporting egg production and quality protein levels to suit the increased demands of waterfowl, supporting tissue integrity, feather production and egg development.
Fancy Feeds Fenland Waterfowl Pellets also contain cooked wheat for carbohydrate energy and fibre and is rich in Omega 6 fatty acids to support egg production and feather quality and integrity. Fully balanced with vitamins and minerals plus Sel-Plex organic selenium for its antioxidant properties and to support egg shell integrity and with Bio-Mos prebiotic is also included to optimise gut health and immune response by suppressing harmful bacteria.

+ Breeder / Show Pellets (20kg)

Fancy Feeds Breeder & Show Pellets have been uniquely formulated to provide a complete balanced diet for all types of adult poultry, ducks, geese and bantams, particularly those kept for breeding and showing.
Fancy Feeds Breeder & Show Pellets contain quality protein and supply essential amino acids, including methionine, which is important for feather production and vital for egg development and hatchability. These pellets also contain a blend of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids help produce superb glossy feathers and support sperm and egg quality. Cooked wheat supplies carbohydrate energy to support the increased requirements for breeding and promote condition in the show bird.
Fancy Feeds Breeder & Show Pellets are fully balanced with vitamins and minerals, including Sel-Plex organic selenium for its antioxidant properties and role in fertility. Zinc and selenium also support growth and longevity, as well as immune response and skeletal strength, in the offspring of the breeder hen or duck. With Bio-Mos natural prebiotic to optimise gut health and immune response by suppressing harmful bacteria.
Fancy Feeds Breeder & Show Pellets are Medication free.