Can I ferment pellets?

[barred2rock]

What about grit or scratch? Necessary?

Grit is necessary for proper digestion from one week old on. Scratch should only be use sparingly as a treat. Scratch is fattening and will reduce protein intake from their regular feed. I've yet to give my girls scratch, instead I give them black oil sunflower seed (BOSS), freezer burnt meat/fish and greens.

 

[PetesChicks]

What about grit or scratch? Necessary?

Grit is necessary, it's used to help them digest their food, but should be fed on the side, not in the fermented feed.

Scratch should just be used as a treat, but can be fermented. I usually put a little in my fermented feed jar and mix it in. Just don't use to much.

 

[Crs1]

I have 39 chickens 6 of which are pullets that are 8-10 weeks old and 2 cockerels of the same age
I am feeding a 7 pound feeder with chick feed with egg shell on the side and a quart and a half of chicken pellets that I ferment plus various things from the garden. Right now it's cucumbers! I only use scratch to get them back into the pen after they forage for a little bit. In 6weeks I will switch to chicken 16% pellets and stop fermenting for the winter

About a month ago I got rid of my rooster that I used to fertilize the eggs. The reason I did was he was tearing up my chickens and keeping everyone in turmoil. Abouthe the same time I started the fermenting. My chickens are very healthy looking. They have plumped up and their feathers are very shiny. I attribute that to the fermenting mostly. But not having to worry about him helps too. Now to rehome my cockerels!

 

[ehoneybee]

I just realised I don't even use layer feed. I'm using this. So I will continue and add the oyster shells

It also stinks when fermenting ;-)

 

[barred2rock]

I just realised I don't even use layer feed. I'm using this. So I will continue and add the oyster shells

It also stinks when fermenting ;-)View attachment 1136991

What the protein & calcium percentages with that stuff (bottom label)?

 

[ehoneybee]

Protein min. 17%
Calcium max. 4.6%

It is layer feed :/

 

[ehoneybee]

What's the

What the protein & calcium percentages with that stuff (bottom label)?

What %age of calcium am I shooting for?

 

[barred2rock]

Protein min. 17%
Calcium max. 4.6%

It is layer feed :/

Yeah that's a layer, a high calcium layer at that. Flock Raiser is 0.8% calcium.

 

[ehoneybee]

Well the stupid rooster attacked my 20 month old since I last posted so he's going into the pot anyway. Sucks because he's been docile and the kids have been really excited and feeding them in the coop. I hope she's not afraid of chickens now :/

 

[ehoneybee]

Well the stupid rooster attacked my 20 month old since I last posted so he's going into the pot anyway. Sucks because he's been docile and the kids have been really excited and feeding them in the coop. I hope she's not afraid of chickens now :/

She was walking around behind me with a pb&j and then I heard her screaming and turned around to see her on the ground and him standing over her. I just thought she tripped while trying to run away but she got pecked .

He's done.