FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[subhanalah]

I was wondering that, myself. She hasn't laid since fall molt, and has passed these quarter-inch yellow things occasionally. There's a kind of puss inside them. Her abdomen isn't noticeably swollen. She was a regular layer last season, and laid the egg that is now my present rooster. In fact, that was close to the last eggs she's laid.

She's been on FF since the end of November.

sounds like internal laying or some sort of infection in the reproductive tract.
It may just be her time, sorry.

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

I was wondering that, myself. She hasn't laid since fall molt, and has passed these quarter-inch yellow things occasionally. There's a kind of puss inside them. Her abdomen isn't noticeably swollen. She was a regular layer last season, and laid the egg that is now my present rooster. In fact, that was close to the last eggs she's laid.

She's been on FF since the end of November.

Based on what looks like seeds in that poo photo, I'm wondering if that's something in the feed you're fermenting, something else you're feeding her, or stuff she's picking up as forage. I have no clue if the "seeds" are relevant to the situation, but I'm curious.

From what I've read, hatchery birds aren't necessarily bred to live super long.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

She laid normally up until the molt, and you put her on FF somewhere around the end of the molt. Since then nothing, right?

In that case put her back on non-fermented feed, with some chicken granite grit on the side and see if she improves.

Then re-post and tell us how she is doing.

 

[kpgoldstar]

Ok, thanks guys! I think I will get a small batch going and see how the feather babies like it. Is it like 50/50 food and water?

It all depends on your feed. Some absorb more water than others. For the initial batch you want it a little more wet, not water over the top but definitely soupy. Once you add the water, by the next time you stir you may need to add more water it just depends.

 

[wonkyflock14]

It all depends on your feed. Some absorb more water than others. For the initial batch you want it a little more wet, not water over the top but definitely soupy. Once you add the water, by the next time you stir you may need to add more water it just depends.

Thanks kp, I will try that.

Azygous, good luck with your girl. Hope she recovers.

 

[azygous]

It's going to be nearly impossible to feed Joycie regular feed and the rest FF. I'm not sure I see why FF should cause her to stop laying. It's purely coincidental with no other supporting evidence.

The seeds are probably from the FF which has BOSS and scratch grain mixed in with the flock grower.

So, is the consensus that she may have an infection that is causing her to stop laying as well as the weird poop and lack of appetite? Should I start her on a ten day regimen of amoxycilin?

 

[subhanalah]

It's going to be nearly impossible to feed Joycie regular feed and the rest FF. I'm not sure I see why FF should cause her to stop laying. It's purely coincidental with no other supporting evidence.

The seeds are probably from the FF which has BOSS and scratch grain mixed in with the flock grower.

So, is the consensus that she may have an infection that is causing her to stop laying as well as the weird poop and lack of appetite? Should I start her on a ten day regimen of amoxycilin?

does she have poultry grit available to her?

 

[Audio51]

Thanks, Chicken Canoe for those links on anatomy. I've bookmarked them.

Bee, I geared myself up this morning to drag out the carcass and bag of innards and made myself take a second look at them. I found no sign of worms in any of the organs i sliced open. I kind of figured out what most of it was, but there was a very bumpy piece of tissue down near the tail that puzzled me. Maybe that was the sac of nascent eggs? There were no large yolks anywhere and nothing that were like the internally laid eggs you posted pics of a few days ago. Also, her intestines weren't anywhere as long as in the diagrams on Chicken Canoe's links. I think maybe her intestines were ballooned out with sand and junk.

I've felt just miserable over this. Now I wish I had tried antibiotics before I culled her. I still have no idea what made her so sick.

Sorry about your girl.

I don't know if there is anything like this in your state, but here in California, UC Davis will do free necropsies for home flock owners. You only pay for shipping and that is at a reduced rate because it goes on their 'bulk rate" account and they bill you. You might try to find out if there is anything like that in Colorado for future reference. It can be great peace of mind to know exactly what was wrong and oif you need to worry about the rest of your flock.

 

[momofthehouse]

So I have 80 chicks ranging from a week old to 6 weeks. I give unmedicated chick crumble. They waste a ton and it is driving me nuts. I don't know how much feed to put in and how much water??? I'm confused on how to make this? Also can I use a five gallon Home Depot bucket? Do I cover it? I keep reading that people cover it and leave it but then some people keep adding more feed... Why? Also is it only good for one day and you have to toss out what you don't use that day?

 

[chickensfinally]

So I have 80 chicks ranging from a week old to 6 weeks. I give unmedicated chick crumble. They waste a ton and it is driving me nuts. I don't know how much feed to put in and how much water??? I'm confused on how to make this? Also can I use a five gallon Home Depot bucket? Do I cover it? I keep reading that people cover it and leave it but then some people keep adding more feed... Why? Also is it only good for one day and you have to toss out what you don't use that day?

How much feed and how much water is kind of a personal preference/trial and error sort of thing. Some put in more water and then strain it when they feed out. You have lots of chickens so that might be a pain. Others add water to a grout like consistency and it works well for them. When they talk about adding more feed they are usually talking about "backslopping" which is the practice of just adding more feed and some water to the already fermented bucket as it will ferment the new amount quickly (overnight) and just keeping it going. Some have used one continuous bucket for months. So to answer your last question, No! Don't throw it out! Yes you can use a Home Depot bucket. Try to see if they have food grade buckets first, some places do. Or check a deli or bakery section of a grocery store. They have old buckets food comes in and will give or sell them to you. Lots of people put a cover on loosely. The process creates carbon dioxide bubbles and can blow a lid off or explode a tightly sealed glass container. Some just bungee cord on a towel or cloth to keep "stuff" out.