100 Broilers and Fermented Feed Project

[pipemum]

4" is the average first layer for deep litter. Do they carry bigger bags? I have one wrapped in clear plastic that's for horse stalls. I'll check to see the size for sure but I think it's at least 6 cu. ft. compressed. It's cheaper than the bagged too.

Oh yeah, that's what I buy. Maybe that's why it's more expensive.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Kuntry, I understand about the feed, they will go thru it very rapidly, I raised 50 last year and I think they were going thru 50 lbs in 2 days toward the end.
An idea for you, we have a friend that has a brewery in our town, I get his grains from him. Cut my feed bill dramatically. Check around where you live to see if there are any micro brewerys...they will many times give the grain away to keep from having to pay someone to dispose of it for them. We have been feeding chickens and horses on it for the last year, they love it, it is 19% protein and FREE. We put it on our stove to thaw and it is warm by morning....they all get a nice warm breakfast of mixed grains.
Brace yourself for the cold and storms...our news say even New Orleans could see snow!  I am so done with winter!

I'm thinking maybe not 100 broilers next time. :/

 

[kuntrygirl]

4" is the average first layer for deep litter. Do they carry bigger bags? I have one wrapped in clear plastic that's for horse stalls. I'll check to see the size for sure but I think it's at least 6 cu. ft. compressed. It's cheaper than the bagged too.

I think that's the only size they have. I will buy 2 bags and put it down and see how that works.

 

[Angelicisi]

Thanks everyone.

They all survived a cold night last night and it will be even colder tonight.

I checked the temps in the brooder and it was 45 degrees in the far corner of the brooder. So, it was warmer nearer and under the light, which is where they were.

I checked the bedding and I cannot believe how bad the bedding looked. The bedding WAS so fluffy and big on Sunday evening. Now today (Tuesday morning, the bedding looks like this. It doesn't look like I can turn over the bedding or replace a few patches. It looks like I have to change out A LOT of the areas that are smashed down with poop. How often do you all change out your bedding and what is your process for changing your bedding? I know that everyone's length of time will be different based on how much poop the birds expel. Looks like I have to get more bedding. I hope that I"m not averaging a sack of bedding every 1 1/2 to 2 days. Those shavings are expensive ($4.99)

I was changing it once every other day the 1st two weeks then daily, also a few times a day removing bad soiled spots and adding more. 1st batch I had went thru 3 bales in almost 3 weeks with half as many chicks. Then sold that batch of chicks and switched to wire bottoms for the next batch due to cleaning time, cleanliness of chicks and cost. Still have to change paper daily but I just roll it up and replace. No scooping or shavings everywhere lol I make a bigger mess cleaning usually lol Spring and summer and possibly even fall batches will be raised outdoors no brooders making it easy peasy! Can't wait lol.

 

[kuntrygirl]

I just went out to check on the feed and it was LONG GONE. I filled up all 6 feeders this morning and now is time for a re-fill. I"m home today because of the bad weather in my area, so I normally wouldn't be home at 4:00 PM. I am usually not home until 6:00 PM. so they are eating early today. But I'm glad to know that it looks like I need to add a few more feeders. I'm thinking about those PVC pipe feeders all around the brooder. So that would be (2) 12 foot long feeders and (2) 4 foot long feeders. This will cover the entire wall of the brooder. I will have to measure the size of the feeders in their now. What I do know is that all 6 feeders in there right now hold 20 lbs of feed. So for today they will have eaten 40 lbs of feed. 20 lbs this morning and 20 lbs at 4:00 PM. I'll probably put more feed in before bedtime, so that will be 60 lbs of feed total. Goodness, what have I gotten myself into?

 

[Angelicisi]

Since they've been free ranging I've had to change out hay and leaves in their coop every other day since 4 weeks even tho they're only in it to sleep or it looks just like that.

 

[Angelicisi]

I just went out to check on the feed and it was LONG GONE. I filled up all 6 feeders this morning and now is time for a re-fill. I"m home today because of the bad weather in my area, so I normally wouldn't be home at 4:00 PM. I am usually not home until 6:00 PM. so they are eating early today. But I'm glad to know that it looks like I need to add a few more feeders. I'm thinking about those PVC pipe feeders all around the brooder. So that would be (2) 12 foot long feeders and (2) 4 foot long feeders. This will cover the entire wall of the brooder. I will have to measure the size of the feeders in their now. What I do know is that all 6 feeders in there right now hold 20 lbs of feed. So for today they will have eaten 40 lbs of feed. 20 lbs this morning and 20 lbs at 4:00 PM. I'll probably put more feed in before bedtime, so that will be 60 lbs of feed total. Goodness, what have I gotten myself into?

Is that fermented feed weights?! Wow. I wanted more...I may wait and stick to 50 batches. Pam was looking up the info on a co-option, maybe that'll help? The last few weeks I read they can consume more than previous weeks combined. Not sure yet if it's true lol but definitely a lot these last couple weeks and we are restricting feed. I wanted to see growth difference and was going to not restrict feed next batch but maybe not after seeing yours are bottomless pits.

 

[Arielle]

Kuntry girl here is a big

for you!!

I would do as Chicken Canoe suggested and just go deep litter-- stir up the litter every day and addmore bedding and stir again. You can give them grain to dig into the litter but they will need grit also. THe gissard will be more dveloped in the bird that gets grit and grain. I found the litter issue to be the biggest management problem. Holding back feed is not not necesasarily a bad thing as you know-- meaning being without food for a few hours will not kill these pigs.

Constantly emptying out the litter is a PITA. I have gone to DL with all my coops. Easier. I use powdered lime to help with odor, and more shavings ( and dried leaves racked up in the fall). Check out the deep litter thread for info-- otherwise ask Beekissed.

 

[aoxa]

I just went out to check on the feed and it was LONG GONE. I filled up all 6 feeders this morning and now is time for a re-fill. I"m home today because of the bad weather in my area, so I normally wouldn't be home at 4:00 PM. I am usually not home until 6:00 PM. so they are eating early today. But I'm glad to know that it looks like I need to add a few more feeders. I'm thinking about those PVC pipe feeders all around the brooder. So that would be (2) 12 foot long feeders and (2) 4 foot long feeders. This will cover the entire wall of the brooder. I will have to measure the size of the feeders in their now. What I do know is that all 6 feeders in there right now hold 20 lbs of feed. So for today they will have eaten 40 lbs of feed. 20 lbs this morning and 20 lbs at 4:00 PM. I'll probably put more feed in before bedtime, so that will be 60 lbs of feed total. Goodness, what have I gotten myself into?

Do you think you can sell some off at this point to restore your sanity?

100 is A LOT. Especially when they can't free range.

You will make your money back at least. The work involved does not seem worth it though. Maybe next time just raise enough for yourself to eat. 25 is easily manageable, and feeds our family of 2 for a year at least.

 

[kuntrygirl]

I just went out to check on the feed and it was LONG GONE. I filled up all 6 feeders this morning and now is time for a re-fill. I"m home today because of the bad weather in my area, so I normally wouldn't be home at 4:00 PM. I am usually not home until 6:00 PM. so they are eating early today. But I'm glad to know that it looks like I need to add a few more feeders. I'm thinking about those PVC pipe feeders all around the brooder. So that would be (2) 12 foot long feeders and (2) 4 foot long feeders. This will cover the entire wall of the brooder. I will have to measure the size of the feeders in their now. What I do know is that all 6 feeders in there right now hold 20 lbs of feed. So for today they will have eaten 40 lbs of feed. 20 lbs this morning and 20 lbs at 4:00 PM. I'll probably put more feed in before bedtime, so that will be 60 lbs of feed total. Goodness, what have I gotten myself into?

Is that fermented feed weights?! Wow. I wanted more...I may wait and stick to 50 batches. Pam was looking up the info on a co-option, maybe that'll help? The last few weeks I read they can consume more than previous weeks combined. Not sure yet if it's true lol but definitely a lot these last couple weeks and we are restricting feed. I wanted to see growth difference and was going to not restrict feed next batch but maybe not after seeing yours are bottomless pits.

Yes ma'am. That is the FF weight . Straight from the plastic storage fermenting container to the scale to the feeders. Do you know how much yours are eating these days?