100 Broilers and Fermented Feed Project

[kuntrygirl]

We brood ours on pine shavings. We put fresh shavings where needed on a daily basis. By the time they get to be just over a week old, they basically need fresh shavings over the whole floor every day until they go out at 3 weeks old. Here is a picture of our brooder.

WOW!!! Looks great. I will have to check into pine shavings. I was never a fan of any shavings but for the meaties, I think that I will have to make an exception.

I love the light box. Great idea!!

Love the setup!

 

[donrae]

I like that! I always try to make things as natural as possible, and that's more like a broody hen.

 

[kuntrygirl]

My broilers will be in January 8, 2014. We will begin building the chicken tractors and a plucker. I'm getting everything ready. I'm excited but at the same time, I know it will be a lot of work.

 

[LindaB220]

Have you thought about fermented feed? A little more work getting it to the troughs but you can save a LOT of money. No wasted grain, either. Just a thought.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Have you thought about fermented feed?  A little more work getting it to the troughs but you can save a LOT of money.  No wasted grain, either.  Just a thought.

Yes, I will be feeding FF. I have been reading all of the posts and I"m excited AND nervous. I'm not sure where to start though. 100 broilers is a lot and they will be here in 30 days, so I have to get it together.

 

[foreverlearning]

Yes, I will be feeding FF. I have been reading all of the posts and I"m excited AND nervous. I'm not sure where to start though. 100 broilers is a lot and they will be here in 30 days, so I have to get it together.

Just before they come start 2 5 gal buckets of ff so that you always have some. You will be rotating it often so don't worry about any being excess. Turning a gutter into a trough is the safest option for your knees down and is easy to clean. They act like they are starving even while running around with a full crop. Because of this it is really important that you change them to the 12/12 schedule when it is time. If you don't they can eat themselves to death or grow too quickly for their legs to handle.

 

[aoxa]

I'm thinking of doing a batch that large next spring as well. I have yet to figure out how to brood that many at a time. Once they are 2 weeks they are let out on pasture, so I'm thinking our 4 x 14 foot pen may do the trick.. Once they are out on pasture they'd just sleep in there, as we no longer offer feed inside at that age.

This year we raised 50 CX, and 50 layers in the area for 2 weeks without an issue, but the layers are half the size...


Here they all are at 11 days old. Almost ready to be let out!

 

[kuntrygirl]

Yes, I will be feeding FF. I have been reading all of the posts and I"m excited AND nervous. I'm not sure where to start though. 100 broilers is a lot and they will be here in 30 days, so I have to get it together.

Just before they come start 2 5 gal buckets of ff so that you always have some. You will be rotating it often so don't worry about any being excess. Turning a gutter into a trough is the safest option for your knees down and is easy to clean. They act like they are starving even while running around with a full crop. Because of this it is really important that you change them to the 12/12 schedule when it is time. If you don't they can eat themselves to death or grow too quickly for their legs to handle.

Thanks. I'm in for a ride with 100 broilers.

 

[kuntrygirl]

I'm thinking of doing a batch that large next spring as well. I have yet to figure out how to brood that many at a time. Once they are 2 weeks they are let out on pasture, so I'm thinking our 4 x 14 foot pen may do the trick.. Once they are out on pasture they'd just sleep in there, as we no longer offer feed inside at that age. This year we raised 50 CX, and 50 layers in the area for 2 weeks without an issue, but the layers are half the size... Here they all are at 11 days old. Almost ready to be let out!

Good job! I hope that my set will look as good as yours. They look wonderful !!!!

 

[kuntrygirl]

I will have to go back and re-read the thread about FF and get the actual recipe measurements.