Australia - Six states..and that funny little island.

[ChristieB]

My brand new bag of chick starter got wet over the weekend. Can I ferment it? It is medicated, does that make a difference?

I fermented chick starter, it was going stale anyway so I wanted to use it up. To my limited knowledge I think the medication part is rendered useless but it still ferments nicely

 

[IamSamSam]

Pyrethrum based surface spray is great to use and I use it inside the coop in the morning so it's dry and aired by the time they come in. I have used it on their legs too.

I'd prefer it over DE.

I was reading up on FF this am. I saw they did it to pellets and add AVC unfiltered to it.

Fancy would know if the medication is affected but u will need to post WHat meds it is in the starter.

 

[appps]

I fermented chick starter, it was going stale anyway so I wanted to use it up. To my limited knowledge I think the medication part is rendered useless but it still ferments nicely

Isn't chick starter a crumble rather than a seed??

I was under the impression (could be wrong) that it was seed based feeds you ferment?? I've also read numerous thing about how sick pellet style feed can make chickens if it gets wet and goes off, how does that fit in to fermenting those types of foods?

 

[IamSamSam]

Isn't chick starter a crumble rather than a seed??

I was under the impression (could be wrong) that it was seed based feeds you ferment?? I've also read numerous thing about how sick pellet style feed can make chickens if it gets wet and goes off, how does that fit in to fermenting those types of foods?

Same but I read a thread on byc that they use pellets

 

[chooks01]

Fermented chook feed? Hmmmm hope it does not turn to alcohol

else chooks will get drunk

 

[Teila]

Just a quick one because it is free range time in 7 mins and Dusty is already telling me just that!

I tried the fermented feed and initially my gals liked it but then they went off it … I stopped about 6 months ago and to be honest, didn’t notice any change in them.

I did, however, have to switch to only seed based feed when fermenting because the pellets in the existing feed I had turned into a soggy mush that they would not eat.

They were on fermented feed for probably 6 months.

If anyone wants any further info on what I found to be pros/cons/why I switched back etc, happy to expand if you have any questions.

Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to supervise I go

Edited to add: you only need to add ACV to get it started. It will ferment on it's own without ACV, just takes a day or two longer.

and Yep, I have read numerous times that fermenting destroys the medication in medicated chick start.

 

[Anniebee]

My brand new bag of chick starter got wet over the weekend. Can I ferment it? It is medicated, does that make a difference?

Sidhe13 ...

I know it's a drag to consider, but I would not, not, do anything with that bag of chick starter, except throw it in the dust bin. .... I think you can get it in small bags, that don't cost much, from a stock and produce store - if there is one near you. And chicks don't eat a lot - not like they do when they become big gutzey hens. !!


Particularly as it is medicated, I wouldn't think of allowing any form of alteration to the structure of whatever meds. is in it - would not be too good - for the meds or the chicks.


And Teila ... I agree that seed based goodies must be best for fermentation. Anyone who has made a soup with a heavy concentration of barley, will see it begin to ferment in a day or two - even in the fridge. I freeze remaining barley laden soup.


Fermentation in natural compost is ok, adult chooks handle it well. Although, being a totally paranoid chook owner,

I am careful what I put into the compost to begin with.

Red and green vegie peelings, goes into the compost, as well as to my chooks.


Meantime, Sidhe13 - better to be safe than sorry.

Cheers,
Anniebee....

 

[ChristieB]

Yeah my chooks weren't interested in fermentedfeed at all,

 

[cwrite]

I fermented both grains and pellets & my chooks loved it. I didn't like having the smell in my home though. It wasn't medicated so can't advise you there.

 

[cwrite]

My poor chickens had a very stressful afternoon today. A little dog was wandering around in the road when I arrived home & nearly got run over so I took it inside & posted pics all over FB. It was so sweet and stuck to the chicken free fenced off area. Then the guy arrived to install a new water heater. About an hour later, a large dog was barking at my chickens through the fence. I wished I could pretend I never saw it, but I couldn't leave it out there so in came the big dog. It was a bit excitable, but stayed in the chicken free area.
Then my kids came home. My son is frightened of dogs & called DH who sent me a txt that he had noticed the dogs & was cowering inside with the cats. After much excitement with kids, the large dog ploughed my now flimsy looking fence down, noticed the chickens (who had been kept in the run) and ran circles around the run scaring them. After lots of squawking, flying and shrieking they all went into the coop. I got the dogs into the pool area and they somehow got wet. Kids may have been involved. By now, it's getting late, no one has claimed them & I'm desperately trying to find two dogs somewhere to stay for the night. Then both dogs got out of the pool area, the little one through the fence and the large one managed to push the bottom of the gate open enought o slip through. Shrieking chickens - rinse & repeat several times.
In between saving chickens & praying that my kids don't get bitten in all the excitement, I'm still trying to find an overnight home. finally a guy who runs a lost pets FB group picked them up, the RSPCA have pics and I find out tomorrow if my chooks coped with the excitement. I sure am glad I built the fortress though, and that we don't get large predators around here. I'm not convinced that my vermin wire is dog proof though so that may be upgraded when we move. Peace and quiet has never seemed so good. I'm just waiting for hot water so that I can wash the wet dog smell off me.

Edited to add that my son now calls himself the dog whisperer.