I just three Black Copper Marans. They’re 2 or 3 days old. I’m already using FF made with Purina All Flock Raiser Crumbles for my older birds. How old do the new chicks have to be to start them on FF? I want to use it as a supplement to the flock raiser crumbles the are already getting.
Actually the fermented feed is most important when they’re littleuns. They haven’t established their wee microbiomes yet, and since we generally put them in super clean brooders (I do, too), they don’t get much of a chance to do that.
Once they’re big and out in the world, you can give them regular dry food if you want to. They’ll get plenty of healthy microbes on their own even if they’re confined to a reasonably sized run. Giving them greens helps (pre-biotics). Some free-ranging when you can supervise (if supervision is needed) helps more. In winter, you can’t usually do fermented feed around here because it freezes. If you’re where it doesn’t freeze, then you probably don’t need to. I keep them on deep bedding in winter, so they can get microbes that way, plus it keeps things nice and non-stinky and interesting (stuff to scratch in) on those long snow days.
If you do decide to keep up the fermented feed in perpetuity, don’t use a galvanized feeder. The acid will dissolve the galvanizing and ruin your feeder and possibly not be very good for your birds, either. I have a feeder like that.
(Dumbdumbdumb howcouldIbesodumb?) Anyway, don’t do that. Bad idea.
If you, like me, end up with lots and lots and lots of birds (I’ve lost count so don’t ask how many, and this has nothing to do with me ending up with three heifers and a bull either—I swear.), then you’ll probably decide to just give fermented to babies in the brooder, if that. I make up a batch for them and feed it until it runs out, then give dry food. You can also give them grass/weeds with roots and dirt, catch live bugs for them (sooo funny!), give leftovers from your table, scrambled eggs, etc.
Have fun with your littles and if you end up with a whole lotta birds, plus who-knows-what else, don’t say I didn’t warn you.
