My daughter would like to raise Sumatras for her 4-H project this year. I'm excited she chose this breed because I think they're beautiful! What advice can you give us about supplementing the diet of Sumatras to help them grow the best plummage and tails? Anything we should avoid? (One year a judge told us to not feed corn as it gives some chickens' feathers and skin a yellow cast.) Do the roosters need certain light requirements to grow the best tails? Also, in the summer we usually let our mixed flock of chickens roam around the pasture for exercise and to be able to forage. Is it alright to do this with the Sumatras or should they remain confined?

Thank you for any help you can offer. I know everyone has their own ways of raising all kinds of animal, but we appreciate any advice we can get.

Rebecca

That's good info from Sherry.  In addition, you want yellow on the bottoms of the feet of sumatra; green grass helps but feed with a yellow tint such as Purina's “Show Chow” or “Broiler Complete” has Tagetes = marigold extract.  It not only helps intensify the yellow legs of American breeds like rocks & wyandottes, but it a great feed in general & helps intensify the yellow on the bottoms of sumatras feet.  Yellow corn helps with yellowing, too, but it's only 7% protein vs. $20%+ starter or broiler feed.  Summary- corn by itself isn't nearly good enough.

Realize when females have been laying for awhile, the yelllow will fade out, no matter what the feed.

No special feed is needed for the male's tail's; just good quality commercial feed; keep them with fresh, clean water as much as possible as previously mentioned and full feed.  Sumatras don't get too fat like some larger breeds can.

Doug