California - Northern

[cherylcohen]

You looked at it for me, remember? The power cord to the humidity pump easily comes unconnected. But when everything is plugged in correctly, the pump works and the controls work but the fan and heater do not. It says that it is heating up and at temperature but it is really still at room temp. So, maybe the senser is bad or some wire inside is loose. I thought maybe the fan was bad but that wouldn't explain no heat. I think that I will send a message to rcom and ask them about it. It can't hurt to try!

I would call them for sure and tell them how disapointed you that it never really worked correctly

 

[chiqita]

so excited! Our feed fermented and I'm trying to coax people into eating it. So far the chicks don't mind it, and the dog thinks its awesome. Have been doing fodder this week, but so far they mostly eat roots and seeds, not the greens. We gave them the grain that didn't sprout after we check for mold THAT was a hit! So they like fermented grains at least. Except for the silkies that don't free range atm , they tear into that stuff, they have been eating a tray full of fodder every 2 days.

Quail could care less, I'm a bit sad about that, since some people do 90% fodder for the quails. I will try the new batch on it, I think maybe these guys did not have enough greens in early life to develop a taste for them. I had these visions of them running through this wheat grass singing and eating like little Disney quail! Almost as good as hens who only use the last sperm deposited and didn't need a withdrawal time, ah well.

Pumpkin is still despondent. I will spend some time this afternoon just sitting with her and see if that helps. at least she can hear everyone, but she is so lonely .

.

 

[PetRock]

so excited! Our feed fermented and I'm trying to coax people into eating it. So far the chicks don't mind it, and the dog thinks its awesome. Have been doing fodder this week, but so far they mostly eat roots and seeds, not the greens. We gave them the grain that didn't sprout after we check for mold THAT was a hit! So they like fermented grains at least. Except for the silkies that don't free range atm , they tear into that stuff, they have been eating a tray full of fodder every 2 days.

Quail could care less, I'm a bit sad about that, since some people do 90% fodder for the quails. I will try the new batch on it, I think maybe these guys did not have enough greens in early life to develop a taste for them. I had these visions of them running through this wheat grass singing and eating like little Disney quail! Almost as good as hens who only use the last sperm deposited and didn't need a withdrawal time, ah well.

Pumpkin is still despondent. I will spend some time this afternoon just sitting with her and see if that helps. at least she can hear everyone, but she is so lonely .

.

What are you fermenting for them? Were we talking about that at Stockton? That day is a blur for me. I have been fermenting feed for my flock for around 3 weeks and so far I am very pleased with the results. I have my ferment bucket going and take out almost all of the fermented food but leave most of the liquid for the next batch. I have been putting in 2/3 parts layer pellets and 1/3 part whole grain scratch. The first day they weren't so sure about it. Spoiled birds were used to yogurt in the mornings. Now they have adjusted to it and by noon the bowls are empty. Since I started the fermented feed, 8-9 of my girls have started laying eggs again and the shells are nice and hard. 2 of the 3 boys that I still have here have also started crowing and doing their duty with the girls. It might just be timing for all those things but I'm going to continue fermenting their feed!

 

[ronott1]

so excited! Our feed fermented and I'm trying to coax people into eating it. So far the chicks don't mind it, and the dog thinks its awesome. Have been doing fodder this week, but so far they mostly eat roots and seeds, not the greens. We gave them the grain that didn't sprout after we check for mold THAT was a hit! So they like fermented grains at least. Except for the silkies that don't free range atm , they tear into that stuff, they have been eating a tray full of fodder every 2 days.

Quail could care less, I'm a bit sad about that, since some people do 90% fodder for the quails. I will try the new batch on it, I think maybe these guys did not have enough greens in early life to develop a taste for them. I had these visions of them running through this wheat grass singing and eating like little Disney quail! Almost as good as hens who only use the last sperm deposited and didn't need a withdrawal time, ah well.

Pumpkin is still despondent. I will spend some time this afternoon just sitting with her and see if that helps. at least she can hear everyone, but she is so lonely .

.

Good for you!

Remember that there is sometimes a dis connect between what people tell you and what really happens.

Case in point, research shows that the average cough takes 6 weeks to go away. People will tell you that their cough goes away in 3 weeks.

 

[ronott1]

Quote: Does the feed you use have soybeans in it? Fermenting soybeans gets rid of their toxic effect.

I am interested in fermenting. I think I get the same thing by giving them Big Ole Bird though.

 

[PetRock]

Does the feed you use have soybeans in it? Fermenting soybeans gets rid of their toxic effect.

I am interested in fermenting. I think I get the same thing by giving them Big Ole Bird though.

Yes, I have been fermenting my expensive bag of Kings Feed organic layer pellets. $38/50 lb. talk about sticker shock!!! That reminds me, I talked to the King Feed representative at the Stockton show. They are going to start carrying a GMO free feed that will replace the Natural feed and cost about the same. It is in its final testing with a commercial grower. Yeah! I sure can't afford the organic feed. I have been reading the BYC thread Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/644300/fermenting-feed-for-meat-birds It is 442 pages long so I haven't made it all the way through. I read the first 30 pages or so and then skipped to the end. Beekissed has posted a lot on their and I enjoy her view of chicken keeping.

 

[PetRock]

Ron, where do you get your Big Ole Bird from? I see that it is $41/gallon on amazon. The nice thing about fermenting your own feed is that you start with a big chug of organic, raw apple cider vinegar and it just goes on from there! My husband brews beer and I ferment chicken feed!

 

[ronott1]

Quote: That is great news! I will be looking for the non GMO version. Did you get a handout on it?

Keep us updated on how they do with fermented feed.

 

[cherylcohen]

Ron, where do you get your Big Ole Bird from? I see that it is $41/gallon on amazon. The nice thing about fermenting your own feed is that you start with a big chug of organic, raw apple cider vinegar and it just goes on from there! My husband brews beer and I ferment chicken feed!

concentrate http://www.jefferspet.com/big-ole-bird/camid/liv/cp/0040788/

 

[PetRock]

That is great news! I will be looking for the non GMO version. Did you get a handout on it?

Keep us updated on how they do with fermented feed.

She didn't give me a handout. They are still testing it. But she talked like it was going to be soon. She is a new rep for our area and I sure hope she gets some feed store in our area to carry King Feed!