100 Broilers and Fermented Feed Project

[kuntrygirl]

why the top??

So they don't step in it.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Just finished with the other brooder and put down shavings.

 

[kuntrygirl]

I noticed this evening that I am hearing a few of them sounding congested. Now, I'm worried. So, I got online and typed in Congested Broilers and I got a few links that directed me back to BYC.

This is what I found. I found several other links but I am only posted these two.

Broilers wheezing and skin turning purple
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/508385/broilers-wheezing-and-skin-turning-purple


Congested Broilers - sick????
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/557306/congested-broilers-sick


Has anyone had any of their broilers sound congested?

 

[Arielle]

Quote: Gotch ya!1 I let mind step in it.

Here is good information since you plan to grass raise these. Everyone that eats meat, or eat, should read this article. It is the best explaination I have ever seen, Easy to understand. Its why we all want to be eating grass fed meats. And why the docs tell us to cut off the extr beef fat.

Is there a term for someone that only eats poultry????

http://www.lionsgrip.com/pastured.html

 

[kuntrygirl]

 

why the top??

So they don't step in it.

Gotch ya!1 I let mind step in it. 

Here is good information since you plan to grass raise these. Everyone that eats meat, or eat, should read this article. It is the best explaination I have ever seen, Easy to understand. Its why we all want to be eating grass fed meats. And why the docs tell us to cut off the extr beef fat. 

Is there a term for someone that only eats poultry???? 


http://www.lionsgrip.com/pastured.html

Poultryterian???

Thanks for the link. So much info to read.

When you let yours step in, do their toes and feet get all yucky? I let mine do that and it was a mess. The FF would dry up on their toes and I have been washing their feet. Kinda like "Broiler Spa".

I just brought a lamb to market a couple weeks ago and it was all grass fed. I haven't had the chance to eat any of the meat, but I'm excited about the taste of grass fed meat. I'm there with you on that.

 

[Arielle]

Well you are right there-- it does gunk up on the feet a bit. ON the older birds I used a high sided bowl to prevent stepping in. I can't quite remember how I dealt with the mash while little. . . . sorry.

Your current method might be the best possible.

 

[aoxa]

A little update on the broilers. So, it's been 9 days and all are still doing well. I have not lost any yet and I'm keep my fingers crossed. I do expect to lose some but I'm hoping not. I able to buy a bag of pine shavings at Tractor Supply this weekend. I have to say that I have never been a fan of shavings and never will but I know that I had to get some for the broilers. I do not like the smell of the pine shavings. I just don't understand how they can stand the smell of it and live. I was sneezing just opening up the bag but then again, I have severe allergies. I was afraid that maybe this was the wrong shavings (because of the smell) but I remember it was mentioned that cedar shavings are the bad shavings and not the pine shavings. They survived overnight and I see a difference in the poop. I really don't see it yet. I weighed one of them and they are a whopping 5.7 ounces. I'm thinking too big. They are currently on organic feed and that need is a high protein and if I feed them feed from the local feed store, that will kick my organic experiment out of the door. Someone bought the organic feed for me, so they'll have to get me a lesser protein organic feed.


According to the charts, week 1 weight should be 3.4. Week 2 weights should be 8.5. I'm thinking some of these will pass the 8.5 weight before the 2 weeks. I'm getting nervous.


I didn't get a chance to let them free range because I was running errands all day. I hope to let them out today. I'm about to go out and put their pen together by the back door so that I can watch them. I'm cleaning the house today since I' ve kicked them out . It smells the scent of broilers in here.

I'm curious to see how they will do outside. I will keep everyone posted.

Ooo I love the smell Smells fresh. I would have died from it before my 2 years of allergy shots though. Now I can take pretty much any allergen except hay. Hay touching my bare skin still makes me break out in rashes.

Take your feed and cut the protein with a low protein whole grain. Oats and wheat work well. My babies were on it right away.

And that's the last thing I need with 26% protein already.

Quick note: It doesn't add 2% it makes it more available to their body to digest. It is still 26%, not 28%.

Yes ma'am, they have. I'm not sure how I'm feeling about it now.

Yes, I'm feeding 100. How crazy am I huh?

You have 4 broilers that are 9 months? WOW! Cool!

Do you have to pick up the shavings or just add as you have said? This is my first time, so I don't know what to do.

Thanks!

My 2 broilers are now nearly 7 months old. It totally can be done!

 

[aoxa]

I'll have to look around for peatmoss. Keep me posted on how it works for you. Thanks for the tip.

They had a dust bath frenzie. I like it, but it is very much like dirt. Mixed with the shavings it looks like a nice compost - which is awesome for deep litter.

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

That's exactly what you need to do

I noticed this evening that I am hearing a few of them sounding congested. Now, I'm worried. So, I got online and typed in Congested Broilers and I got a few links that directed me back to BYC.

This is what I found. I found several other links but I am only posted these two.

Broilers wheezing and skin turning purple
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/508385/broilers-wheezing-and-skin-turning-purple


Congested Broilers - sick????
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/557306/congested-broilers-sick


Has anyone had any of their broilers sound congested?

I'm wondering if it could be from the shavings. If they aren't Kiln Dried, they could have too much aroma for them.

The only time I've had congestion sounds is during eating when they are older and stuff their faces so fast them get the FF in their nose or what not. Other than when eating, never heard any congested sounds.

The only thing you've really changed is the shavings. You may want to remove all shavings in one brooder to see if it makes a difference. If it does, you know that was it.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Well you are right there-- it does gunk up on the feet a bit. ON the older birds I used a high sided bowl to prevent stepping in. I can't quite remember how I dealt with the mash while little. . . . sorry.

Your current  method might be the best possible. 

I guess I'll keep trying stuff until I find what works.

 

[kuntrygirl]

A little update on the broilers. So, it's been 9 days and all are still doing well. I have not lost any yet and I'm keep my fingers crossed. I do expect to lose some but I'm hoping not. I able to buy a bag of pine shavings at Tractor Supply this weekend. I have to say that I have never been a fan of shavings and never will but I know that I had to get some for the broilers. I do not like the smell of the pine shavings. I just don't understand how they can stand the smell of it and live. I was sneezing just opening up the bag but then again, I have severe allergies. I was afraid that maybe this was the wrong shavings (because of the smell) but I remember it was mentioned that cedar shavings are the bad shavings and not the pine shavings. They survived overnight and I see a difference in the poop. I really don't see it yet. I weighed one of them and they are a whopping 5.7 ounces. I'm thinking too big. They are currently on organic feed and that need is a high protein and if I feed them feed from the local feed store, that will kick my organic experiment out of the door. Someone bought the organic feed for me, so they'll have to get me a lesser protein organic feed.



According to the charts, week 1 weight should be 3.4. Week 2 weights should be 8.5. I'm thinking some of these will pass the 8.5 weight before the 2 weeks. I'm getting nervous.



I didn't get a chance to let them free range because I was running errands all day. I hope to let them out today. I'm about to go out and put their pen together by the back door so that I can watch them. I'm cleaning the house today since I' ve kicked them out . It smells the scent of broilers in here. I'm curious to see how they will do outside. I will keep everyone posted.

Ooo I love the smell Smells fresh. I would have died from it before my 2 years of allergy shots though. Now I can take pretty much any allergen except hay. Hay touching my bare skin still makes me break out in rashes.

Take your feed and cut the protein with a low protein whole grain. Oats and wheat work well. My babies were on it right away. 

And that's the last thing I need with 26% protein already.

Quick note: It doesn't add 2% it makes it more available to their body to digest. It is still 26%, not 28%.

Yes ma'am, they have. I'm not sure how I'm feeling about it now. :/ Yes, I'm feeding 100. How crazy am I huh?


You have 4 broilers that are 9 months? WOW! Cool!


Do you have to pick up the shavings or just add as you have said? This is my first time, so I don't know what to do.


Thanks!

My 2 broilers are now nearly 7 months old. It totally can be done!

Can I get the wheat and oats from the feed store? I saw bags of oat but I wasn't sure if I could have used that? Can I use any kind of wheat and oats? What do you recommend?

I know that meat birds can live past their life expectancy because I had 6 Meat Birds (hens) that lived to be 4 years old. It was an experiment that I tried and it worked.