100 Broilers and Fermented Feed Project

[aoxa]

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.

Yes for sure. A lot of people 50/50 oats in the feed for geese to cut out some protein.

I have wheat, oats - crushed and whole. Wheat (whole), barley (crushed), corn (cracked), BOSS (whole) in their feed. The feed sure looks pretty. With chicks I've also added Millet. It helps get them interested in the FF at first.

Make sure to toss some grit in their brooder too.


Can you see it?

Going to need a better picture. I'll take some tonight.

 

[kuntrygirl]

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.

I'll remove the shavings and see if that works. I can't see how those little chicks can inhale that stuff cause I am having a hard time smelling it.

 

[aoxa]

I'll remove the shavings and see if that works. I can't see how those little chicks can inhale that stuff cause I am having a hard time smelling it.

Your shavings look much different from mine.


See the difference... My shavings are soft and small.

It smells fresh, not strong.

 

[aoxa]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/655822/pine-and-cedar-shavings-are-dangerous

http://www.jdirvinglumber.com/jdirving-lumber-products-shavings.aspx
This is what I use.
Why Our Shavings?
Our shavings are made from 100% virgin wood sourced from our own mills. Both our spruce and pineshavings are a product of kiln dried lumber, removing excess moisture and limiting the risk of possible irritants such as mold.

Our shaving all come from sustainable managed forests and our facilities are all SFI certified. We have three production facilities for guaranteed delivery.

We can provide Eastern White Pine Shavings or Spruce/Pine/Fir Shavings in plastic or paper bagging options either palletized or hand stacked. Please contact your J.D. Irving, Limited representative to discuss the option that best suits your needs. Private labeling options are also available for large volume customers.

 

[kuntrygirl]

I found that I Like and DO not like the shavings.

I like the shavings because it helps with keeping the poop under control and helps with the smell.

I DO NOT like the shavings because it gets in the food and the water and they are trying to eat the shavings. I had to physically pick up a broiler and take the shaving out of it's mouth.

I guess I can't have THE PERFECT bedding can I? :/

 

[kuntrygirl]

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.

Yes for sure. A lot of people 50/50 oats in the feed for geese to cut out some protein. I have wheat, oats - crushed and whole. Wheat (whole), barley (crushed), corn (cracked), BOSS (whole) in their feed. The feed sure looks pretty. With chicks I've also added Millet. It helps get them interested in the FF at first. Make sure to toss some grit in their brooder too. Can you see it? Going to need a better picture. I'll take some tonight.

Yes, I can see it. I clicked on the pic and enlarged it. That looks so yummy!!!! I love that. Lots of good stuff in there. I will definitely pick up some wheat and oats when I get off work. I"ll see what else they have at TSC. If there are some things that I"m unsure of, I will get a list and report back in the morning for suggestions.

 

[aoxa]

I found that I Like and DO not like the shavings.

I like the shavings because it helps with keeping the poop under control and helps with the smell.

I DO NOT like the shavings because it gets in the food and the water and they are trying to eat the shavings. I had to physically pick up a broiler and take the shaving out of it's mouth.

I guess I can't have THE PERFECT bedding can I?

I have found it's easier to keep them from eating it if I start them on it straight away.

I don't think there is a perfect bedding out there.

Sand: you can't compost, really heavy
Shavings: dusty and troublesome for people with allergies
Straw: harbours mites, and it hard to clean up
Hay: same as straw, molds easily
Wood pellets: Ugh. worst thing I've tried


I do like the peat, but it's hard to break up. It would be great for someone with allergies. It makes white birds look dirty.

So far I've tried them all. The chickens definitely like the peat moss best. I like a combo of shavings and peat moss with a little hay in there as well.

 

[kuntrygirl]

I'll remove the shavings and see if that works. I can't see how those little chicks can inhale that stuff cause I am having a hard time smelling it.

Your shavings look much different from mine. See the difference... My shavings are soft and small. It smells fresh, not strong.

I see the difference . Yours are smaller. :/ I'll have to call around the other feed stores to see what they have.

 

[aoxa]

Yes, I can see it. I clicked on the pic and enlarged it. That looks so yummy!!!! I love that. Lots of good stuff in there. I will definitely pick up some wheat and oats when I get off work. I"ll see what else they have at TSC. If there are some things that I"m unsure of, I will get a list and report back in the morning for suggestions.

I'd say get wild bird feed but a lot of it is treated with chemicals. You can get an organic bird seed and use that if you can't find separate whole grains.

It helps keep the feed properly moist. If I just use crumble or mash or pellets it seems dry at the bottom and wet at the top. Not with whole grains

 

[kuntrygirl]

I found that I Like and DO not like the shavings.


I like the shavings because it helps with keeping the poop under control and helps with the smell.


I DO NOT like the shavings because it gets in the food and the water and they are trying to eat the shavings. I had to physically pick up a broiler and take the shaving out of it's mouth.


I guess I can't have THE PERFECT bedding can I? :/

I have found it's easier to keep them from eating it if I start them on it straight away. 

I don't think there is a perfect bedding out there. 

Sand: you can't compost, really heavy
Shavings: dusty and troublesome for people with allergies
Straw: harbours mites, and it hard to clean up
Hay: same as straw, molds easily
Wood pellets: Ugh. worst thing I've tried


I do like the peat, but it's hard to break up. It would be great for someone with allergies. It makes white birds look dirty. 

So far I've tried them all. The chickens definitely like the peat moss best. I like a combo of shavings and peat moss with a little hay in there as well.

From that listing, it sounds like shavings and peat moss are high on the list. I'll stick with the shavings and hope they don't get sick from the fumes or die from eating the shavings. Not sure where I can find peat moss but I will try that as well.

Experimenting is fun.

Thanks for all of the input and suggestions. I'll be ready next year.