100 Broilers and Fermented Feed Project

[apteryx]

I'm not even sure what THAT means.

It is an agriculture/food distribution model that has a number of people that agree to participate for a set period of time (e.g. 6 months). They pay a subscription/membership fee up front and receive a selection of products every week, two weeks, etc, depending on what the planned model is. The theory is that the participants share in the risks with the farmer, have access to quality products and develop a connection with local farmers that helps them learn more about the origins of their food. It is usually used for fruits and vegetables, although there a some that also include meat and/or dairy products.

 

[kuntrygirl]

 
Walmart sells both brands.

I haven't seen it at mine...unless it is kept somewhere other than with the other vinegars.

I see both at our Walmart.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Thanks for the responses.

I"m thinking I'm going to go broke trying to feed 100 broilers when they get to be around 6 weeks. Depending on the weights, I may try to process some early.

What do you all think is a good weight to process? I know the live weight will be different than the dressed weight? So, if a broiler weighs (say for example - live weight is X lbs and X ounces, then you can expect their dressed weight to be around a guesstimate of X lbs and X ounces.)

ever thought of cas ing some of your flock? I was just talking to foreverlearning about this after we saw a post about our FDA and food safty. It would help finance food and give us farm fresh chicken. Just a thought. Pam

I have thought about a lot of stuff but when you're a 1 woman show like me (I do everything), that would be a nightmare. I would have to hire employees.

 

[kuntrygirl]

not too late. you will need more than  normal-- these bird drink more than other birds. I do think a wet mash is helpful w/ cornish because of the greater need for water.

I already had chicks brooding when I bought the nipples-- took  a while before I was comfotable the  had figured it out.  I did not remove the original waterer and they used both. 

Well, that brings up another issue. I have no idea how many nipples I would need for 100 broilers. :/

 

[kuntrygirl]

kuntry, I just put up a nipple waterer for my broiler chicks last night--they are 4 weeks old.  I saw a couple tapping away at the nipples right after I hung it. 

Covering the brooder will help keep the heat in.  I still cover the meat pen at night, and can actually feel the warm air rush out when I flip the blankets back in the morning (still 30s out). 

Sorry about the loss. 

That's good to know that they are 4 weeks old and got the hang of it.

Thanks @ the loss. Lesson learned.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Only one loss so far is a major feat with 100 birds. After 2 weeks I had zero losses. 

You are passed the hump! 

Have you let them outside yet?

Thank you. I have not let them outside yet but I will do that this weekend. While the plucker is being built, I will be outside as well, so I will gather them up and let them free range. Saturday temps 60 and Sunday temps 65. I know they will be chilly but I have to test out the temps.

 

[aoxa]

Thank you. I have not let them outside yet but I will do that this weekend. While the plucker is being built, I will be outside as well, so I will gather them up and let them free range. Saturday temps 60 and Sunday temps 65. I know they will be chilly but I have to test out the temps.

If it's sunny, they should be fine

I'm sure you won't get much done while they are out free ranging for the first time. You'll be a worry wart!

So do you have plucker plans you want to share?

 

[kuntrygirl]

With only one loss you are doing great and you are just about to pass the line for unexpected deaths, hold on. One of the things I left out of my posts was stirring by hand. It's quicker and more thorough but kinda strange. After a while you'll just bring the hose to the bucket to rinse off after.

Thank you. I can see 4 weeks down the road, so I can start processing.

Yes, I loved stirring by hand. My best new technique. I wonder if using feet (like wine making) would work to mash it up. Just joking.

 

[kuntrygirl]

My chicks learned the cups really quick. Show a few and the rest follow suit.

Sorry about the loss, you're still kicking butt tho.

I use this now to stir lol

Good morning everyone. Today's update. Yesterday when I got home, I went to check on them. I checked both brooders and I found 1 broiler had been smashed to death. So, I have my 1st loss. It appears that they were cold. I still had the heat lamp on but the temps were 78 in the brooder. They were all piled up on each other. So that kinda tells me that the 70's are too cold for the right now. I watched the new last night and it said that the temps would be in the low 30s. I panicked because I knew that I would lose some because of the cold. They are still in the garage and they are in 2 separate brooders. I made sure that the heat lamps were placed low enough so that they could get plenty of warmth. I also covered the large shipping crate brooder with thick comforters and blanks so to keep any drafts out and the heat in. I didn't sleep at all last night worrying about if they would all die due to the low temps. Well, this morning checked on them and they all survived. It was a cold night last night. I guess covering the brooders up helped a bit. The water hose outside was frozen. I turned it on but nothing but ice.

I added more feed to the batch and had a hard time stirring with my big ole stick. So, I set the stick down and just stuck my hands in and stirred it around that way. It worked perfect. I was able to feel everything grain in there and unmash some of the the thicker areas that my stick would not be able to do. Hand stirring from here on out. It kinda felt like a grainy mask on my skin. Great feeling.

I did get a chance to weigh and here is a pic of the weight. 10.1 ounces Tomorrow they will be 2 weeks old.

All of the others are growing nicely.

Question..............If I started the broilers using water nipples at this time, would they know what to do? Is it too late to install water nipples.?

Thanks. Nice stirrer.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Remember, if I am doing 1 bucket a day on my small batch...expecting 2 buckets a day on this same age batch of my 50...You very well could be up to 4 buckets per day by 5-6 weeks. I think you feed more than me. Maybe not. Were both doing FF so they may be similar when we process ill have feed numbers and costs. The batch of 50 we are doing would be a better cost analysis tho and by then you'll know lol
Not a bad thing, just estimating. But fermented feed bucket is not the same as a dry feed bucket. I get 3 buckets of fermented feed out of 1 bucket dry.

I don't even want to see the feed cost for 99 broilers in 8 weeks. I'm processing those babies as soon as I see 3 lbs.

Can't wait to see what numbers your broiler project will have.