FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[Beekissed]

You loose the "remote " when you have access to all. Just because here the farthest you can drive on paved road is 10 miles don't mean I don't have access. You just have to wait movies go into DVD a and such. Simple pleasures laying on the beach and listening to whales is spectacular. Being safe inside and listening to wolves. Both events rare but enjoyed when happening ak rain

I understand what you mean....there is a trade off and it's a good trade. Same with living in the sticks here...no cell service and a big distance to the nearest hub of civilization, but I wouldn't trade it for anything except maybe going deeper into the mountains.

 

[knjinnm]

Yep...just feed what they can eat before it freezes...if that's impossible, the heated dog bowls are nice though not conducive for feeding a whole, large flock. I'm wondering if the heat mat under the feeder like the kind they use in greenhouses to keep seedlings warm would be beneficial in colder climates?

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MT10006-19-1-2-Inch-Seedling/dp/B0001WV010

Hi All

Another item you could try is a heated rectangular food serving tray. I occasionally see them in thrift stores at give away prices. The trays have temperature control knob, low to very hot.
jac

 

[ak rain]

Thank you

 

[beverly evans]

This thread is awesome! I have sat here all day reading it, and its various offshoots (fermented pumpkins, chicken murder mayhem). We eat a lot of fermented foods (kefir, yogurt, sourdough, kraut, kimchi, garlic etc etc) so I know that it would be good for chickens and am looking forward to spring and getting my chicks.

Hi, welcome to this totally awesome site! The people on here are so user friendly and readily share their knowledge. Be sure and google all the breeds to get the ones that are egg intensive and sweet/docile if you have kids and aren't planning on a money making deal. If you have hawks, don't get silkies, bantams or polish because they are too short to run fast, can't see or can't fly. Of course you can have only a handful of chickens and keep them in a totally closed coop and run, fully protected from above and below. Much more labor intensive but doable and well worth the effort and expense once you have fallen in love with your chickens, it is heart breaking to have one eaten. Those etc., etc.??? I'd like to know how many more palitable ff are out there that you find doable and tasty. Yogurt and sourkraut sure, kefir I think is like buttermilk, ff garlic?? I don't know. Kimchi I personally find nasty, what else is there? I know they are sooo healthy we all should be eating them. THX : ) beverly

 

[beverly evans]

I understand what you mean....there is a trade off and it's a good trade. Same with living in the sticks here...no cell service and a big distance to the nearest hub of civilization, but I wouldn't trade it for anything except maybe going deeper into the mountains.

I would love to live in either of your shoes , but only part time. My wild side craves being near wildlife (as a young person my dream was to become a vet and then be a zoo curator who got to take the baby tigers home to bottle feed when the mother regected them. Unfortunately I feel in love with a Mexican bullfighter while a freshman at Univ. of Texas and ran away to Mexico. So ended the dream.) Anyway, I am an animal person who would like, most of the time, to live out in the country with llamas, emus and assorted animals. But I am too old now to want all that work so satisfy my need with the lowly chicken.
Bee, I had this picture in my mind of you. Now I must change it I think. Jules?? That's a guy's name, right? Or are you a gal with a guy's name? I love you which ever you are, just wanted to know. : )

 

[beverly evans]

My last batch I made a smaller bucket. Will have to find my list that I used for proportions! They ate it like I had been starving them!!!!!! This one I added soaked lentil and barley and some herbs (smashed garlic, oregano and cilantro and parsley I think) lol. Smells like stuffing and they are gobbling it up! Better than ever before!

Maybe not feeding enough but they do free range. One 4 year hen in molt, one old AND in molt (not a single butt feather), two that are laying. Then the rooster. I only feed using a spaghetti slotted claw/spoon... one good scoop per bird (plus one in evening) . No where near what you guys have said...

But same ration I have fed all along. If it is miserable out and I can't watch a free range or heavy hawk day I give some meat to compensate for loss and some greenery then a tad of scratch to bedding. Also have the calcium and grit out 24/7. Seeds of melons etc get scattered for them to range for.

But Bee saw photos of my rooster and two hens before hawk killed one (but I took back the meat it only got the head and some neck). My other 3 came from Fred. I am so blessed. Bee to guide and Fred close enough to get good birds.

Hi Bluebird, I like that moniker. Do you have mostly a "blue" colored breed of chicken? I wondered, what kind of meat do you feed your chickens? The extra protein is supposed to help them grow new feathers when they finish molting, etc.

 

[beverly evans]

Hi All

Another item you could try is a heated rectangular food serving tray. I occasionally see them in thrift stores at give away prices. The trays have temperature control knob, low to very hot.
jac

Excellent idea! Kudos to you! I have one of those in my garage-sale pile in the garage as we speak. Too bad you live so far away. You could have it.

 

[beverly evans]

I understand what you mean....there is a trade off and it's a good trade. Same with living in the sticks here...no cell service and a big distance to the nearest hub of civilization, but I wouldn't trade it for anything except maybe going deeper into the mountains.

Bee, Do you know about incubators?? I set up 24 eggs in a reptile incubator last nite and when turning them the eggs don't feel very warm at all. I'm used to how they feel when just laid or even a bit after. They feel much warmer than those in my bator. 99 degrees is understandably cooler than a chickens temperature of 105 or so temp. but it has me worried just the same. : (

 

[Beekissed]

Bee, Do you know about incubators?? I set up 24 eggs in a reptile incubator last nite and when turning them the eggs don't feel very warm at all. I'm used to how they feel when just laid or even a bit after. They feel much warmer than those in my bator. 99 degrees is understandably cooler than a chickens temperature of 105 or so temp. but it has me worried just the same. : (

Nope, I don't use incubators. But there are literally thousands on this forum who do and can give you some advice over on the chick section of the forum.

 

[kpgoldstar]

My 7 week old chicks love their fermented feed! Campbell River? I spent 2 glorious full summers camping on the North Shore of Cortes Island in my early teens. I'm sure much has changed but it was a wonderful experience!
Oops! I meant to quote scopechick!