100 Broilers and Fermented Feed Project

[kuntrygirl]

Alpaca? I want an Alpaca so bad!!!

Isn't she beautiful Her name is Vivian. Because I find she looks like Vivian from the Fresh Prince of Bel Air.

She IS BEAUTIFUL !!!!!!!!! You are torchering me by posting that pic of that stunning beauty. I am so jealous !!!!!! Can you tell me about her eating habits, living area, temperament around other farm animals, etc?

 

[Arielle]

The broilers survived the freezing temps last night. Someone gave me some left over insulation from a project(the kind with the hard back) and I was able to place that on top of the comforters and blankets that I have draped over their brooder. It definitely kept the warmth in. Temps in the brooder with the insulation on top was 65 degrees as opposed to 45 - 55 degrees without the insulation. This confirms my idea of having an insulated brooder if I decide to raise broilers in the winter months again.


The water consumption has slightly changed within the last day. I filled all (5) gallon waterers up on Tuesday evening. I checked on their water on last night (Wednesday evening) and 3 of the gallon waterers were EMPTY and 2 of the gallon waterers had 1/4 water remaining. So they are drinking more and more water. So the 5 gallons of water being gone in 2 days has changed to 5 gallons of water almost being gone in 24 hours. I will see where their water level is today when I return home from work.

When I filled up their feeders (20 lbs of feed) yesterday evening, it was gone within 30 minutes.

Water consumption can be effected by a number of factors---

How much water is in the feed??-- do you mix a consistent amt of water per pound of dry feed? If you can make this consistent, this would help estimate water needs via the waterers.

Ambient temperatures
humidity
growth rates/ size of animal
location of waterers

I think there are others, just can't remember them-- been about 30 years since ag classes.

Quote: You are cruel to post such beauty------

But Hey-- aren't they a predator deterent????????????? Hmmmmmm

 

[kuntrygirl]

The broilers survived the freezing temps last night. Someone gave me some left over insulation from a project(the kind with the hard back) and I was able to place that on top of the comforters and blankets that I have draped over their brooder. It definitely kept the warmth in. Temps in the brooder with the insulation on top was 65 degrees as opposed to 45 - 55 degrees without the insulation. This confirms my idea of having an insulated brooder if I decide to raise broilers in the winter months again. The water consumption has slightly changed within the last day. I filled all (5) gallon waterers up on Tuesday evening. I checked on their water on last night (Wednesday evening) and 3 of the gallon waterers were EMPTY and 2 of the gallon waterers had 1/4 water remaining. So they are drinking more and more water. So the 5 gallons of water being gone in 2 days has changed to 5 gallons of water almost being gone in 24 hours. I will see where their water level is today when I return home from work. When I filled up their feeders (20 lbs of feed) yesterday evening, it was gone within 30 minutes. :/

Water consumption can be effected by a number of factors--- How much water is in the feed??-- do you mix a consistent amt of water per pound of dry feed? If you can make this consistent, this would help estimate water needs via the waterers. Ambient temperatures humidity growth rates/ size of animal location of waterers I think there are others, just can't remember them-- been about 30 years since ag classes.

Alpaca? I want an Alpaca so bad!!!

Isn't she beautiful Her name is Vivian. Because I find she looks like Vivian from the Fresh Prince of Bel Air.

You are cruel to post such beauty------ But Hey-- aren't they a predator deterent????????????? Hmmmmmm

That makes sense about the water. There is no consistent amount of water that goes in the feed. I just pour until I'm satisfied with the texture. I guess drier FF will lead them to drink more. Do you have predators in your area? What made you get an alpaca?

 

[aoxa]

She IS BEAUTIFUL !!!!!!!!!

You are torchering me by posting that pic of that stunning beauty.

I am so jealous !!!!!!

Can you tell me about her eating habits, living area, temperament around other farm animals, etc?

They are incredibly quiet, and as far as I've seen (we got her in October) she is a grazer more like sheep than goats. She is curious, and not demanding. She hums when she is happy, nervous and content. It sounds like someone saying Mmmm to food.

They do well in small pastures, and do not test fences (thankfully!) They do deter small predators. Nothing big like coyotes.. Llamas would be better for real predator prevention, but they are also quite a bit larger and intimidating.

They are much hardier than goats and sheep. They are very disease resistant. She is awesome with our goats, and our chickens, duck, geese, rabbits, and dogs. She lives with the goats. She often gives them these looks that I am sure indicates how stupid she thinks they really are.

Water consumption can be effected by a number of factors---

How much water is in the feed??-- do you mix a consistent amt of water per pound of dry feed? If you can make this consistent, this would help estimate water needs via the waterers.

Ambient temperatures
humidity
growth rates/ size of animal
location of waterers

I think there are others, just can't remember them-- been about 30 years since ag classes.

You are cruel to post such beauty------

But Hey-- aren't they a predator deterent????????????? Hmmmmmm

Yes they can be. Especially males.

 

[Arielle]

Kuntrygirl-- if you wet the FF more, they will probably eat less feed because they will feel full quickly; that spreads out the consumption of the FF, and gives them more water. Maybe time for a recipe, or not . . . . .lol

 

[kuntrygirl]

Kuntrygirl-- if you wet the FF more, they will probably eat less feed because they will feel full  quickly; that spreads out the consumption of the FF, and gives them more water.  Maybe time for a recipe, or not . . . . .lol

If I wet it more, will they not gain as much weight because they will not want to eat as much because of the full feeling?

Recipe? LOL

 

[kuntrygirl]

A week ago, I bought a commercial feeder to see how good it would work. Well, that was $5.99 down the drain. This feeder is HORRIBLE. They eat the top layer of the feed but the bottom of the feeder continually has uneaten FF in the bottom of it. I don't understand. Every day has been the same. So, I have had to scrape out the remaining feed and give it to the chickens in the chicken yard.

Lesson learned (which I already knew) - Stay away from commercial things as often as possible and create/make your own things to suit your needs for your animals. I wonder if it's too late to bring it back?

 

[Beekissed]

Rain guttering is about that same price but it's 6-10 ft. long, so you can easily cut it to fit your needs and still have some left over for other feeders. Another easy long trough style feeder is two boards screwed together and then add some long end caps that serve as feet/legs so it cannot be tipped over~a classic hog trough design.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Rain guttering is about that same price but it's 6-10 ft. long, so you can easily cut it to fit your needs and still have some left over for other feeders. Another easy long trough style feeder is two boards screwed together and then add some long end caps that serve as feet/legs so it cannot be tipped over~a classic hog trough design.

Here are my trough feeders for the chicken yard. I have been using these for years and I LOVE THEM! I absolutely love the trough style. There is ZERO waste and they can't tip them over. And I can move them anywhere in the chicken yard that I want to. Definitely the style that I think I will go with for the broilers. Proven track record for feed. Thanks for sharing your pics.

 

[Beekissed]

I like yours better with that handle on top! Easy to carry!