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- #111
That's a great point about GMO. I tried to go GMO free, but once you become aware of it, you realize most things contain GMO or are raised on GMO feed. I try to cut back where I can, ie conscious reading of labels and going GMO free where I can, but when it comes to feed, it's just too expensive. I'm compromising by doing what I can - raising my own birds free range is already better than buying chicken that has been raised in cramped conditions and never seen a ray of sunshine in their lives. My chicks have space to run around, access to greens, bugs and even mice! They killed a mouse yesterday! Had loads of fun chasing each other around for it lol.Daisy, I think that you are doing great. You've learned a lot and will continue learning. Beekissed has the best thread out there. She also has one on fermenting for layers. I found her meatbird thread on my first day and never looked back. I consider fermenting this best thing I've learned on all BYC. It's almost impossible to read it all. I'd suggest reading the first 100 pages and the last 100 pages. Bee was gone from the thread from about 500-1000 so I didn't go back and read those. But I did all the others. But I've been reading daily for over 8 mo. You only have so much time. From what I understand Bee ferments layer feed along with some BOSS or something. When I ask about non-GMO she said it isn't going to change much to feed non-GMO when you have it in everything else. Milk, beef, sugar veggies. So I quit worrying about it. I know that right now wheat is non-GMO, and oats and barley. If y'all want to go grains make a mixture of those three and BOSS. 2 parts wheat, 1 part ea of crimped oats and crimped or hulled barley. and 1 part BOSS (Black oiled Sunflower Seeds) Along with a little meat (a can of mackeral) or hamburger meat and you've got a pretty good mix. Greenery, sprouts, alfalfa pellets (just a few) if they can't roam. I totally respect you on the decision of 100 birds the next time. You have the set up for it. A LOT of work processing though.
Processing is still something I have to experience on a large scale, and I've read that is hard, hard work so I'm trying to mentally prepare myself but I guess that's something you can only be prepared for once you've done that many. I've done two birds at a time and once one bird so I know I'm in for a shock! Won't be processing all together though; I want to start at 4 weeks (yes, 4 weeks to get those "Petit poussin" one-person sized chicks) and do a batch every two weeks until they're all done. We'll see how it goes though. As with all things in life, there are plans and then there is reality, and only when you've experienced the reality, can you plan better for next time.
You are all very interesting.
