FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[igorsMistress]

Nobody has been sick on my watch... and I'm pretty lazy...

Do not make the wild bird feed you sole ration or you WILL end up with health issues. Yes they do like the whole seeds and such. They would probably like any whole grain product.

No it's just treats for now. I'm learning on cheap stuff and they eat some of what fallsfrom the bird feeder anyway. They always have crumbles available.

Once they start laying I can get organic layer feed with no corn or soy which I plan to feed fermented a few days a week.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

No it's just treats for now. I'm learning on cheap stuff and they eat some of what fallsfrom the bird feeder anyway. They always have crumbles available.

Once they start laying I can get organic layer feed with no corn or soy which I plan to feed fermented a few days a week.

I highly recommend relocating your bird feeder, as you are inviting (more) possible parasite and disease to your flock.

My birds took a little bit to adjust as well, a few days. They are creatures of habit. Funny that they didn't find the bird seed the same though. Maybe it didn't ferment quite the same. Every time I switch feed it changes a little.

I'm sure some fermenting is better than none.

 

[igorsMistress]

I highly recommend relocating your bird feeder, as you are inviting (more) possible parasite and disease to your flock. 

My birds took a little bit to adjust as well, a few days. They are creatures of habit. Funny that they didn't find the bird seed the same though. Maybe it didn't ferment quite the same. Every time I switch feed it changes a little. 

I'm sure some fermenting is better than none.   

Thanks but the bird feeder will stay. There are wild birds all over my yard and it is what it is.

They share water etc and I can't stop that without locking my chickens in their coop. Not going to do that.

I believe in nature taking it's course and all things in moderation.

If the chickens are healthy then they should be fine.

 

[aart]

Quote: Feeding wild birds is not 'natural'.
Not only does it congregate avian pests and illnesses that could affect your chickens, it also draws hawks.

 

[mobius]

x2. I love wild birds but I have a responsibility to my chickens.

It is my understanding that are a major source of lice and mites, for one thing, and that FOR SURE would not be fun to deal with.

So even if the chickens start out healthy, they may not be fine over time....

I still have wild birds around, but they never venture in the coop/run/yard where the chickens are. And they don't share feed or water sources for sure...

 

[Deb T]

I heard that BOSS was good for the chickens. Can you put it in the FF or do you give it separately?

 

[shortgrass]

I heard that BOSS was good for the chickens. Can you put it in the FF or do you give it separately?

I put boss in my mix...it floats to the top but it ferments just as well as the rest, and its usually the first thing they pick out

 

[chicken curious]

X2
Favorite part of the ferment
I try to stir it down to redistribute it so they don't get it all the first day or so

 

[chicken curious]

Oh and I think BOSS is high protein so consider that in your nutrition totals...if you're mixing your own feed or adding it to a complete feed you'll need totally different amounts

 

[Deb T]

Oh and I think BOSS is high protein so consider that in your nutrition totals...if you're mixing your own feed or adding it to a complete feed you'll need totally different amounts

I put boss in my mix...it floats to the top but it ferments just as well as the rest, and its usually the first thing they pick out

X2
Favorite part of the ferment
I try to stir it down to redistribute it so they don't get it all the first day or so

Thank you