My Experience with Bielefelders

Get guidance on selecting the best chicken breeds for eggs, meat, or companionship. Discuss and share where to find chicks or adult birds, including hatcheries and local farms.
User avatar
NestingNerd
Hatchling
Hatchling
Posts: 24
Joined: Wed Jan 15, 2025 3:14 pm
Location: Bariloche, Argentina

Re: My Experience with Bielefelders

Post by NestingNerd »

That's a lot of feed per bird! I raise Orpingtons, and even my biggest roosters don't eat that much. Could it be that they aren't processing nutrition efficiently? Maybe a different feed would help?
Sharing tips, stories, and laughs from my little backyard farm!
User avatar
GardenGuru42
Chick Keeper
Chick Keeper
Posts: 34
Joined: Mon Jan 13, 2025 5:41 am
Location: Windhoek, Namibia

Re: My Experience with Bielefelders

Post by GardenGuru42 »

Wow, losing four birds in three months is a big deal. Did you notice any symptoms before they passed? It might be worth getting a necropsy done on the next one to confirm if it's metabolic or something else.
I love chickens. Everyone loves chickens, don't they?
User avatar
EggstraSpecial
Chick Keeper
Chick Keeper
Posts: 28
Joined: Mon Jan 27, 2025 4:36 pm
Location: Charlestown, Saint Kitts and Nevis

Re: My Experience with Bielefelders

Post by EggstraSpecial »

I appreciate this detailed review! I was about to order some Bielefelder chicks, but the health issues and high feed costs are concerning. Have you tried any other large dual-purpose breeds?
User avatar
RusticRooster
Eggling
Eggling
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Jan 30, 2025 7:31 pm

Re: My Experience with Bielefelders

Post by RusticRooster »

Have you weighed your birds regularly? If they're reaching excessive weights too quickly, you might try restricting feed access for a few hours a day to slow them down. Some meat birds need that to prevent health issues.
User avatar
VeggieVibes
Chick Keeper
Chick Keeper
Posts: 33
Joined: Mon Jan 13, 2025 3:48 am
Location: Medan

Re: My Experience with Bielefelders

Post by VeggieVibes »

Interesting! I have one Bielefelder rooster, and he's actually my most mellow boy. He does eat a lot, though. I think this breed might not be the best for a small backyard flock unless you really love big birds.
People who count their chickens before they are hatched act very wisely because chickens run about so absurdly that it's impossible to count them accurately.
User avatar
yava
Poultry Pioneer
Poultry Pioneer
Posts: 99484
Joined: Sat Jun 14, 2025 4:22 am

Re: My Experience with Bielefelders

Post by yava »

User avatar
yava
Poultry Pioneer
Poultry Pioneer
Posts: 99484
Joined: Sat Jun 14, 2025 4:22 am

Re: My Experience with Bielefelders

Post by yava »

User avatar
yava
Poultry Pioneer
Poultry Pioneer
Posts: 99484
Joined: Sat Jun 14, 2025 4:22 am

Re: My Experience with Bielefelders

Post by yava »

User avatar
yava
Poultry Pioneer
Poultry Pioneer
Posts: 99484
Joined: Sat Jun 14, 2025 4:22 am

Re: My Experience with Bielefelders

Post by yava »

User avatar
yava
Poultry Pioneer
Poultry Pioneer
Posts: 99484
Joined: Sat Jun 14, 2025 4:22 am

Re: My Experience with Bielefelders

Post by yava »

Post Reply