Colorado

[coloradogal]

So, back when I bought a bunch of the initial stuff for chicks (waterer, food dish...) I also went ahead and bought medicated chick starter. I'm already having second thoughts about the medicated feed and might try to exchange it for non-medicated. But here's a question.. can I ferment it? Do I have to give the chicks non-fermented feed until a certain age and then they can eat fermented? Will fermenting medicated feed a) work and b) possibly (hopefully) negate the medication?

Something new chicken owners are not aware of when it comes to chicken stuff. The bottom of the feeders and waterers fit into a regular size Mason jar. There is not need to buy the top if you have regular size Mason jars. So if you have some of them and bought the top part, you can save some money on the plastic stuff.

I have never done fermented with medicated. I don't think I would mix it myself in the feed. You could keep the feed and supplement them with corn flour, honey mixed with yoghurt/kefir. Being new to chicken keeping, stick with the medicated. The reason I say this is because you need to have the comfort of raising a few batches first. At least if you stick with medicated, it's one less thing you have to obsess about if they should start looking droopy. Get the hang of it and then go from there.

I don't use medicated but I did the first batch of chicks.

 

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

Medicated feed also won't prevent them from getting cocci, it will just reduce the severity of the symptoms. I found this, it may help...

http://www.mypetchicken.com/backyar...edicated-feed-all-about-do-I-need-it-H74.aspx

 

[coloradogal]

Also I don't think fermenting medicated starter would remove the medication, my understanding of fermentation is that the bacteria eats the sugar only.

Fermentation is an interesting subject. It isn't what it utilizes perse as fuel that's the problem but the environment it creates. So fermentation often drops the PH level down. Some substances are inactivated at different ph. I haven't dug into my nerd books or called the manufacturer to see if that is the case. I guess I'm just too lazy. =)

 

[Dnetschke]

I went all in and decided not to go medicated. Maybe it's the word "Medicated" but I'd rather not have any antibiotics in my eggs or chickens. I may lose some chicks or birds, but that's life.
And yes I plan to use organic feed even though it's a lot more expensive.

 

[theOliverofarm]

Thanks, that helps with quite a few of my questions!

 

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

Does anyone know of any swaps coming up on days other than the first weekend of the month? I was hoping to find a swap to go to this weekend or the next...

 

[DenverDucky]

Does anyone know of any swaps coming up on days other than the first weekend of the month?  I was hoping to find a swap to go to this weekend or the next...

The only I know of is the Denver Chicken Swap. Sorry

 

[coloradochick]

Here's a little info: I know these are last months but they are monthly swaps. And also up north from you so probably not helpful. I'll keep looking

January 5, 2013 7am till 9am J & T Feeds Greeley Colorado small animal and bird swap - email us at [email protected] for directions.
January 5, 2013 10am till 12noon 4th and Kalamoth Denver Small animal and bird swap - email us at [email protected] with questions or to order specfic products from us delivered here.
January 5, 2013 2pm till 5pm Mead Colorado "Fencing, Pens and Coops for your homestead workshop" - email us at [email protected] to reserve your seat.
January 12, 2013 8am till 11am Mead Colorado "Goat, Llama, and alpaca naturally workshop" - email us at [email protected] to reserve your seat
January 12, 2013 2pm till 5pm Mead Colorado ""Grow your garden Naturally - Garden Planning and edible landscape workshop - Grow Food - NOT lawns!" email us at [email protected] to reserve your seat today!
January 13, 2013 8am till 12noon Mead, Colorado "Small Animal, Bird Swap and Market" Email us at [email protected] for directions and with questions.
January 26, 2013 8am till 12 noon 51st and Ward, Wheat Ridge Colorado "Small Animal, Bird Swap and Market" Email us at [email protected] for directions and with questions.
January 27, 2013 1pm Mead, Colorado "Natural Back Yard Chicken Workshop" Email us at [email protected]
We look forward to seeing everyone at these events!
Please feel free to visit us on facebook at
www.facebook.com/gettoknowyourfarmer
Or email us at [email protected]
Or find us on Farm Match at

 

[wsmith]

Got about 2 hours of good work done. Got all four gates framed, and one has the wire installed and is hung, complete with the latch. The other three are ready for wire and hinges. Also got the numbers on the pens.

 

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

Here's a little info: I know these are last months but they are monthly swaps. And also up north from you so probably not helpful. I'll keep looking

January 5, 2013 7am till 9am J & T Feeds Greeley Colorado small animal and bird swap - email us at [email protected] for directions.
January 5, 2013 10am till 12noon 4th and Kalamoth Denver Small animal and bird swap - email us at [email protected] with questions or to order specfic products from us delivered here.
January 5, 2013 2pm till 5pm Mead Colorado "Fencing, Pens and Coops for your homestead workshop" - email us at [email protected] to reserve your seat.
January 12, 2013 8am till 11am Mead Colorado "Goat, Llama, and alpaca naturally workshop" - email us at [email protected] to reserve your seat
January 12, 2013 2pm till 5pm Mead Colorado ""Grow your garden Naturally - Garden Planning and edible landscape workshop - Grow Food - NOT lawns!" email us at [email protected] to reserve your seat today!
January 13, 2013 8am till 12noon Mead, Colorado "Small Animal, Bird Swap and Market" Email us at [email protected] for directions and with questions.
January 26, 2013 8am till 12 noon 51st and Ward, Wheat Ridge Colorado "Small Animal, Bird Swap and Market" Email us at [email protected] for directions and with questions.
January 27, 2013 1pm Mead, Colorado "Natural Back Yard Chicken Workshop" Email us at [email protected]
We look forward to seeing everyone at these events!
Please feel free to visit us on facebook at
www.facebook.com/gettoknowyourfarmer
Or email us at [email protected]
Or find us on Farm Match at

Thanks! I just emailed them for a schedule for the next two months. I don't mind driving, I just need to make sure the event is worth the trip. If its one guy selling a goat and two ladies with home made potholders, then it isn't worth the trip. If its a full blown farm market with a variety of vendors, I'll try it. The special events for backyard chicken ownership seem like especially good targets to aim for.