100 Broilers and Fermented Feed Project

[Arielle]

YOu might PM beekissed and ask her about the mold. SHe is open to questions. Not all mold is bad mold.

I would consider reducing the feed now on the chicks if you want to positivly avoid flip. Still no guarentees though. When I lost one at a few weeks old I was frustrated at the loss. When they are much older 4-6 weeks, I just process them and eat.

I had 14 in a 12 x 10 stall, they had room to move, but because it was not a tractor set up the manue was managed with deep litter.

Did you read Joel Salatins book on pastured raising the cornish in a tractor????

 

[BCMaraniac]

I just went back to check on the little buggars and I saw one that looked to be even heavier than the other one, so I decided to weigh him.

6.3 ounce broiler (9 days old). I'm thinking some may be 8 ounces by Wednesday. With that said, this brings on another question that I have for you all. If and when (and I know they will) start flipping and die, at what age is a good age to process them before the 8 weeks, if at all? Have any of you processed any before the 8 weeks if for some unknown reason they died before the 8 weeks? Is there anyone that wouldn't process the ones that die before time and if so, what's your reason for not processing them and eating them?


Since I'm trying to point out, inform and try to address every problem, there is another BIG problem that I have fun it to and I just noticed a few minutes ago. While looking at the FF, I noticed that in an area towards to top of the bucket had a spot of FF with mold on in. I am now scared that something is wrong. There was NO mold on the FF itself in the bottom of the bucket. The mold was far away from it. Can someone tell me why is there mold? What caused it? What can I do to make sure that this doesn't happen again? Since seeing the mold, I immediately and carefully removed the FF and put it in another bucket. I followed the FF process from everyone, so I'm confused as to why there is mold.

Pic of FF with mold growing on it.

Mold is opportunistic and grows where it has moisture, a food source, and usually decreased lighting, proper temp, and pH. The location at an area that is not in direct contact with you fermented feed is not a problem. The food source was that bit of feed that appears to be smeared on the side of your container, there is plenty of moisture with a closed bucket and it is dark in there....a perfect location for a patch of mold to grow. The pH and other bacteria/yeast in the bulk of the feed would prevent that mold from growing there, A periodic wiping out at the top of the bucket would likely prevent that.....JMO

 

[kuntrygirl]

YOu might PM beekissed and ask her about the mold. SHe is open to questions.  Not all mold is bad mold. 

I would consider reducing the feed now on the chicks if you want to positivly avoid flip. Still no guarentees though.  When I lost one at a few weeks old I was frustrated at the loss. When they are much older 4-6 weeks,  I just process them and eat. 

I had 14 in a 12 x 10 stall, they had room to move, but because it was not  a tractor set up the manue was managed with deep litter. 

Did you read Joel Salatins book on pastured raising the cornish in a tractor????

OK. I will PM her and see what she says.

Yes, I'm getting nervous about the weight. I just weighed one about an hour ago and it weighed 7.1 ounces. NO WAY!!! That is TOO BIG!

So, it sounds like 4 - 6 weeks is a good age to process and eat it they collapse.

I have not read Joel Salatins book but I will look it up and see if I can find it online or at the local library. Thanks for the tip.

 

[kuntrygirl]

I just went back to check on the little buggars and I saw one that looked to be even heavier than the other one, so I decided to weigh him. 6.3 ounce broiler (9 days old). I'm thinking some may be 8 ounces by Wednesday. With that said, this brings on another question that I have for you all. If and when (and I know they will) start flipping and die, at what age is a good age to process them before the 8 weeks, if at all? Have any of you processed any before the 8 weeks if for some unknown reason they died before the 8 weeks? Is there anyone that wouldn't process the ones that die before time and if so, what's your reason for not processing them and eating them? Since I'm trying to point out, inform and try to address every problem, there is another BIG problem that I have fun it to and I just noticed a few minutes ago. While looking at the FF, I noticed that in an area towards to top of the bucket had a spot of FF with mold on in. I am now scared that something is wrong. There was NO mold on the FF itself in the bottom of the bucket. The mold was far away from it. Can someone tell me why is there mold? What caused it? What can I do to make sure that this doesn't happen again? Since seeing the mold, I immediately and carefully removed the FF and put it in another bucket. I followed the FF process from everyone, so I'm confused as to why there is mold. Pic of FF with mold growing on it.

Mold is opportunistic and grows where it has moisture, a food source, and usually decreased lighting, proper temp, and pH. The location at an area that is not in direct contact with you fermented feed is not a problem. The food source was that bit of feed that appears to be smeared on the side of your container, there is plenty of moisture with a closed bucket and it is dark in there....a perfect location for a patch of mold to grow. The pH and other bacteria/yeast in the bulk of the feed would prevent that mold from growing there, A periodic wiping out at the top of the bucket would likely prevent that.....JMO

Great info. Thanks for sharing. I have since taken the FF out and cleaned the container. I will put the FF back in and keep it clean by wiping around where FF has fallen on the side. Thanks

 

[Arielle]

NOt likely to be on line-- not old enough. GOt a copy thru intterlibrary loan.

Remember the weight on these include the food in the bulging crop. Was that included in the info you looked up? Now that I ask, likely it did.

I remember seeing all was well then walking by a couple hours later and one was flipped on it's back dead. WTH?? THey definitely need slightly different management than standard fowl.

Techinically they are good to eat at any age.

Bet they are bigger than quail already.

 

[kuntrygirl]

I went out about an hour ago to check on them and fill up their feeders. All are doing good. I filled up waterers and feeders.

What I did on the metal feeders that I was using was covered the metal with white freezer wrap. Since the FF (ACV) cannot touch the metal, I started brain storming and started thinking of ways to try to make it work (for now) until my other feeders are built. So, I lined the metal feeder up with freezer wrap and placed the FF on top of the freezer wrap. The feed is eaten in a day, so I knew that it wouldn't be in the feeder for long.

FF in metal feeder covered with freezer paper.

As the FF was gone from the freezer wrapped metal feeder, I took the freezer paper out of the metal feeder to inspect to see if there was any leakage, any soiling and wetness, and rips or tears. There was no tears, no rips, no leakage and no wetness on back. Of course, it was moist on the top part that the FF was placed on but the back of the freezer wrap was in good condition. I"m not suggesting that anyone do this with a metal feeder because without some type of "lab experiment" done, I have no idea what the effects of FF placed on freezer wrap placed on a metal feeder. Just documenting something that I did today.

Front of Freezer Wrap Paper that the FF was placed on.

Back of Freezer Wrap Paper

They seem to be doing well with the shavings. I'm still nervous about that.

Thanks for all of the input everyone.

 

[kuntrygirl]

NOt likely to be on line-- not old enough. GOt a copy thru intterlibrary loan. 

Remember the weight on these include the food in the bulging crop. Was that included in the info you looked up? Now that I ask, likely it did. 

I remember seeing all was well then walking by a couple hours later and one was flipped on it's back dead. WTH??  THey definitely need slightly different management than standard fowl.

Techinically they are good to eat at any age.   Bet they are bigger than quail already.

Ok. I will look it up and try to find it.

Good question on the weight including the buldging crop. I will go back and read it to find out. I'm sure I"ll be so hurt and disappointed when I find a dead one but I am preparing myself for the obvious.

 

[Arielle]

yeah-- a dead one is inevitable. sorry.

have you considered pvc gutters w/ end caps--

 

[kuntrygirl]

yeah-- a dead one is inevitable. sorry.

have you considered pvc gutters w/ end caps--

Yes, I have but I haven't found any that had tops with holes to place on top of them. Anyone have any pics of that type?

 

[Arielle]

why the top??