5th Annual BYC New Year's Day 2014 Hatch-A-Long

[ChickenCanoe]

X2 Please keep us posted! I think a new thread would be in order for this topic.......

One question, I have more issues with pasty vent when the temps are colder or if there is a heat failure while brooding. Are the brooding conditions identical in all three groups? Just curious....

I'm already posting in the fermented feed thread so it should probably stay there.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/645057/fermented-feeds-anyone-using-them

I really think it may have a lot to do with temperature. I had some heat source failures so they're all on a different heat source but I have some 150W ceramic emitters in the mail. Other than that the brooders are all side by side. Once I change their heat source I'll try to make the heat consistent in all. In about a week, they should be going outside

That should help. Right now, light intensity and duration is another inconsistency.

Stress causes pasty butt. It really does not matter what the stress is. Pro bio-tics(plain yogurt and etc.) is a treatment for pasty butt. Fermented feed is full of pro bio-tics. It also converts soy from a toxin to a healthy food.

Bid Ole Bird can help with growth and health too.

Great experiment!

Lisa, are you going to start a new thread for this?

And you know how stressed Pene chicks can get in a small space.

Chicken Canoe is doing the experiment, I only made the suggestion that it would make a great stand-alone thread.

It starts with post 1693
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/645057/fermented-feeds-anyone-using-them/1690

x2, I would definitely like to follow this one!

~~It starts with post 1693 https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/645057/fermented-feeds-anyone-using-them/1690

me three! I think that is very interesting and it's going to be interesting to see if the benefits are from the FF or just the addition of probiotics. also I feel this experiment will just lead to more...

~~It starts with post 1693 https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/645057/fermented-feeds-anyone-using-them/1690

I have a couple planned for the next few hatches.

As I said, my goal for this experiment was to clarify with numbers the results of the means of production/feeding I used years ago as compared to what I did last year and how I plan on feeding in the future.

 

[Penny Hen]

I couldn't take it any more. I just set 22 eggs.

I'd be right there with you but I am waiting on my new thermostat. NO MORE SPIKES!!!

 

[abmaddox1981]

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What did you set?

Nothing exciting. jersey giant roo over AM/EE, Lt Brahma, gold comet and RIR hens.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

...
Then I'll do like last year, a follow up post when I get my 1st EGG layed from the NYDH pullets! Hope others will do likewise, it is very interesting to see when the different breeds & mixes actually start to lay...

I only had one hatch from NYD if it is a female, then it will be close to July or August before I see eggs. But boy will it look good growing up. I really enjoy the HRIR chicks.

 

[abmaddox1981]

I'd be right there with you but I am waiting on my new thermostat. NO MORE SPIKES!!!

I hear ya! I swiped my mom's meat thermometer for the NYD hatch and am using it again....she's gonna murder me.

 

[ronott1]

Originally Posted by ronott1

What did you set?
Nothing exciting. jersey giant roo over AM/EE, Lt Brahma, gold comet and RIR hens.

I hope they hatch and are very healthy!

 

[abmaddox1981]

I hope they hatch and are very healthy!

thanks!!!!

 

[Pozees]

I, too, would eagerly follow this experiment either here or on its own thread, so please let us know if another thread is started on this experiment. ChickenCanoe, I commend you for committing to this - it is very time-consuming, and I have long wondered whether fermenting for chicks was worth it - so far it appears that at the very least, probiotics make a difference. It could certainly be the de-chlorination as well, or the combination of the two. Can't wait to see hw it progresses!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

The only reason I de-chlorinated the water for groups 2 & 3 is because after conferring with the chemists at the probiotic place, they thought the chloramine in city water could kill all the bacteria in the water/feed. They also suggested that humans drinking chloramine treated water should replenish their probiotics regularly.

 

[goodb]

I couldn't take it any more. I just set 22 eggs.

Somehow that doesn't surprise me! I am getting the itch to set eggs as well but I don't have an incubator.