FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[chickengeorgeto]

Quote:

The reading wasn't so tedious, it's just I couldn't understand what they were saying.

Ash is exactly what it is. In order to determine the chemical content of a substance, a small amount is burned and the light emitted is analyzed. The dregs left behind from such a fire is "ash".
Ash is non-organic.

Since the word organic means "based on carbon" in other words "based on the one common building block of all life on Earth" You are correct to think that the ash content is anything not carbon based or in other words things like iron, copper, manganese, quartz, aluminum, etc. Everything else burned up in the fire. It seems to me that you comprehended much better than you gave yourself credit for.

 

[Tikkijane]

Haha.... I usually don't add AVC but I have on occasion ... I think some feed is worse about it than others.. But it could be my nose lol.. I tried a new feed this round but hate how it ferments..... It really stinks ..

I think ACV would make it worse, honestly. Mine seems to be a combo of longer ferment + higher heat. I've gone with smaller batches to help. And actually, if it mellows the boys put and slows them down some, that would be all right with me.....:/

 

[subhanalah]

I think ACV would make it worse, honestly. Mine seems to be a combo of longer ferment + higher heat. I've gone with smaller batches to help. And actually, if it mellows the boys put and slows them down some, that would be all right with me.....:/

so weird! About an hour ago I was going to PM you to see where you have been!

 

[Tikkijane]

If you think reading it is tedious, think about the process of writing it.   I'm just glad they always include an abstract right at the top of these research reports. That and a conclusion.

(I keep having to look up what they mean by "ash" in these studies (minerals). For some reason my brain really snags on that. )

Thing is, this is prolly normal speak for those sciency folks, lol. Kudos to them!

 

[Tikkijane]

so weird! About an hour ago I was going to PM you to see where you have been!

I went across the country for 2 and a half weeks to visit my hubby and son, and in the meantime, all my farm projecys piled up. I'm stil trying to get my grow-out coop done enough to be useable.

And the last week has been flat horrific. I have *never* had so many losses. I got 29 keets; hatched out 6. In the last week, I've lost 11 keets and then 5 of the 6 outside with the mama bantam cochin died. Yesterday, I lost 8 keets and a SLW hen who tanked and then took a day to pass.

I have my theories about the outside keets (in with the adults who were let out late and found in a pile in the brooder under the mama- I was in bed all day). I was told but didn't see for myself that they had FF all in their nostrils.

The inside keets I think was a mix of different ages (raised together though by the breeder) along with a combo of my AC compressor downstairs freezing up at the same time as my thermostat controller tanked. I think they got too hot. That one night I lost something like 6 in a space of a few hours. I put them back in their transport box while I was bleaching the brooder and two more dropped.

It is NOT cocci, but I took them off the FF and gave dry medicated; now I've got pasty butt to deal with. :/ I put them on paper towel even though the shavings are too big to ingest and I've NEVER had an issue before with either chicks or keets. To this point, I've lost a total of 3 keets from shipping andva single chick from attached umbilicus (if they managed to hatc).

My last of the fighting keets died this afternoon. It held on for almost a week. It could not regulate its body temp- cold one minute; then it'd get in the pile and overheat. I thought it was gone when I checked first thing in the morning, but it would eat and drink and then crash out. We've spent days with this baby in the crook of someone's neck. ...


So between that and trying to get the big kids good ventilation and get the grow-out useable so I can move mama and the last keet out there now and the others in a few weeks, all while dealing with a heat index of 103, it has been a horrible stretch.

Sigh. Sorry to ramble. I'm reading as I can. :/

 

[Tikkijane]

While I'm thinking about it- would anyone be interested in compiling the links (with a little bit of notation so I can categorize them ) Leslie and others have posted and then message them to me? I {obviously} am overwhelmed with critical stuff right now, but would love to make a bibliography of sorts and add it to the FAQ.

Normally, I'd do it, but I just don't have time right now, and as fast as this thread moves, I don't want to lose them! :/ I would be MOST appreciative!

 

[subhanalah]

@Tikkijane
Oh my gosh!
I'm so sorry to hear about your losses.
Are you using the medicated feed to treat for coccidia? If you believe they have it, the medicated feed won't help, the dose is too low.

Hope things calm down for you soon.

 

[Tikkijane]

@Tikkijane
Oh my gosh!
I'm so sorry to hear about your losses.
Are you using the medicated feed to treat for coccidia? If you believe they have it, the medicated feed won't help, the dose is too low.

Hope things calm down for you soon.

I am using the medicated feed to eliminate "variables." If I thought it was, I'd use the bag of Corid I have on hand..... I'm right there with you in hoping it calms soon. I've got company coming soon; hen saddles/aprons to make for them; more for me, and a house guest for most of July. I don't have time to get aggravated! !!

 

[birdlady79]

I think ACV would make it worse, honestly. Mine seems to be a combo of longer ferment + higher heat. I've gone with smaller batches to help. And actually, if it mellows the boys put and slows them down some, that would be all right with me.....:/

Im sorry if I gave the wrong info... I was under the impression that AVC would neutralize the alcohol smell...

 

[subhanalah]

Im sorry if I gave the wrong info... I was under the impression that AVC would neutralize the alcohol smell...

I was too, so I tried it, and it made some strong corn beer.