California - Northern

[Audio51]

Quote:
No problem. The offer is there if you change yor mind later. You might contact Valley View Farms for pullets. They are in the Palermo area. She usually has quite a few FBCM pullets.

 

[caychris]

What is a "Peanut Packer"? I haven't hear that term before.

I hadn't heard about the soy thing either. Always learning something new here...
Standard Apple Cider VInegar (ACV) has been filtered and no longer has "Starter" in it. Look for Bragg's Organic Apple Cider Vinegar. The grocery store will carry it where they have the organic food and the gluten-free stuff. It's about $3 or $4 a bottle. You will see a sludge in the bottom. That is "The Mother". You can use any kind of crumbles/pellets/mash in your ferment including medicated. It doesn't have any negative impact. The fermenting process makes it easier to digest and releases nutrients. They consume less (average of 50% less feed), poops are drier and less stinky, less waste, glossy feathers and generally healthier birds (in my opinion). The fermentation is NOT an alcohol ferment though. You are not giving your birds something that will make them drunk. There is a very long and excellent thread that tells you everyhing you could ever want to know about it here on BYC https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/645057/fermented-feeds-anyone-using-them. @Beekissed has done a lot of study on the process and can pretty much answer anything you might want to know. The main thing is to keep it simple. Starter is not required, but does speed up the process in the beginning. You don't need to add it to evey batch unless you are starting from scratch every time. If you leave a bit of the old batch in when you start the new one it will ferment again on day 1. I use the double bucket method so there is always plenty of the good slimy "Scooby" (sp?) underneath to get the next batch going.

The feed store is telling me that the the chick starter grower is good up to 4 months. Ive read a lot of conflicting info on starter feeds. I'm not harming my Dels am I? I have been giving them green treats. They just love Carrot tops. They jump for the apple tree leaves and they like watermelon but not nearly as much as the other two.

 

[Audio51]

Quote:
Most recommend starter/grower up to 16 weeks becasue the layer rations have higher calcium levels that are thought to be harmful to younger birds. Too much calcuim can cause bone problems.

 

[casportpony]

I think too much calcium can also cause gout.

-Kathy

 

[chiqita]

The feed store is telling me that the the chick starter grower is good up to 4 months. Ive read a lot of conflicting info on starter feeds. I'm not harming my Dels am I? I have been giving them green treats.  They just love Carrot tops.  They jump for the apple tree leaves and they like watermelon but not nearly as much as the other two.

You can indefinitely feed non med starter. A lot of people do. Layer is a min protien not a max amount. 20 is good for some finiky birds like silkies 24/28 is better. If you offer oyster shell to your layers starter is good forever.

 

[caychris]

So my plan is to switch the bigger birds over to layer feed when the dels start laying the Buffs should be about 16 weeks(if they lay spot on 20 weeks). But I will have chicks still at that point some 8 weeks and younger if everything goes according to plan.

What should I really look for in the next 4 weeks to be sure that my Dels are pullets.

 

[dragonlady12]

I figured I'd finally pop in here and say hi!! NorCal feather mama here.

 

[caychris]

I figured I'd finally pop in here and say hi!! NorCal feather mama here.

Welcome think you can get a few more species/breeds in there LOL.

 

[ronott1]

So my plan is to switch the bigger birds over to layer feed when the dels start laying the Buffs should be about 16 weeks(if they lay spot on 20 weeks). But I will have chicks still at that point some 8 weeks and younger if everything goes according to plan.

What should I really look for in the next 4 weeks to be sure that my Dels are pullets.

Give them all starter. When the Dels start laying, give them free choice calcium. If you do not have cockerels, switch to layer a couple of weeks after the Orps are laying.

Medicated feed can cause problems. The latest news letter from CAHFS(UCD Necropsy) said a bunch of Turkeys were killed because the medicine used in the feed was not mixed correctly. It was not amprolium but it can cause problems too. I would take them off of it at 12 weeks at the latest.

 

[ronott1]

I figured I'd finally pop in here and say hi!! NorCal feather mama here.

It is great to have you here!

Very nice Turkeys and chickens!