FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[pdirt]

Maybe I need to dry mine first. I let them set out for a few days and I live where it is very dry so I figured that was good enough.

One thing I have noticed on BYC is that many folks (myself included) try to draw conclusions based upon others' experience. Hard to really do well in many cases. We all have different breeds (even different genetics within a "breed" such as EE, BA, etc) but most importantly we live in different climes. Just because it is dry where both you and I live doesn't mean we have the same soil, macro- and micro-biology, etc. Why do some birds prefer certain things and someone else's birds have different preferences? My hunch is that it's an untangle-able mystery of genetics, climate/environment, feed and whatever else you can imagine.

I don't say this to dissuade us all from comparing notes, but as a matter of perspective when "our" birds do not behave like "everyone else's"!

 

[Tumbleweed Farm]

I was just looking at one of the other vids on CX of the same age as mine and couldn't help comparing their living situations to the ones in my coop....muddy, poopy floor, no sunlight to bask in and overfed to the point of bulging.... he's talking of caponizing these birds but I can't imagine why one would do that when they won't get old enough for it to matter anyway. There's no way he's getting these meaties to 10 mo. of age if they are already so overfed they are bulging on both ends.

Very sad.

 

[Tumbleweed Farm]

Quote: This is a very good post. Thank you.

 

[Tumbleweed Farm]

I was just looking at one of the other vids on CX of the same age as mine and couldn't help comparing their living situations to the ones in my coop....muddy, poopy floor, no sunlight to bask in and overfed to the point of bulging.... he's talking of caponizing these birds but I can't imagine why one would do that when they won't get old enough for it to matter anyway. There's no way he's getting these meaties to 10 mo. of age if they are already so overfed they are bulging on both ends.

This ought to be a crime. The floor is so awful. I believe if you are going to have animals, for whatever reason--be a good steward to them. This is actually a worse environment than the poultry houses. At least they don't have them on a pooped up muddy floor--a disaster waiting to happen. And, make the roos capons? Lordy.

 

[Tikkijane]

One thing I have noticed on BYC is that many folks (myself included) try to draw conclusions based upon others' experience. Hard to really do well in many cases. We all have different breeds (even different genetics within a "breed" such as EE, BA, etc) but most importantly we live in different climes. Just because it is dry where both you and I live doesn't mean we have the same soil, macro- and micro-biology, etc. Why do some birds prefer certain things and someone else's birds have different preferences? My hunch is that it's an untangle-able mystery of genetics, climate/environment, feed and whatever else you can imagine.

I don't say this to dissuade us all from comparing notes, but as a matter of perspective when "our" birds do not behave like "everyone else's"!

Agreed. There is, however, biological/natural/ instinctive species behavior to bear in mind......

 

[LindaB220]

This ought to be a crime. The floor is so awful. I believe if you are going to have animals, for whatever reason--be a good steward to them. This is actually a worse environment than the poultry houses. At least they don't have them on a pooped up muddy floor--a disaster waiting to happen. And, make the roos capons? Lordy.

Yes, hygiene could be better. Outside is better. Not that I've got plans for CX's but I do have plans for regular roos. I will caponize them so they can stay alive for an extra 4-5 mo and have a really good time. I have a good set of tools. If everybody would capon the extra roos maybe 2 million a year wouldn't be dog food at day 1. Sorry, this is a passion of mine.

 

[Tumbleweed Farm]

Quote: I agree with you, caponizing normal roos is a wonderful thing but this guy wants to do a CX, what for, so it can have a heart attack? I just don't understand what he thinks he will accomplish by caponizing--do you know. Will they live long enough to grow into turkeys for him. I sure wish I knew how to caponize. I'd do it in a heartbeat. Is it true they then won't crow. I love roos and would do it just to keep more around.

I have 6 very healthy CX 5 week olds right now, they are in my rich soiled garden (>1,000 sq ft) with their own lil coop. They are on FF, feathered so nice--truly the best looking and acting CX we've ever had--they even forage!

 

[Beekissed]

So I have a question... in the last few days my birds have been having very watery poo. Could that be from drinking more water cuz the weather is warm? Nothing else has changed and its not cecal poo

Could be...seems like warm weather always seems to bring on a little more loose stools for a bit but then they seem to adjust to it as their bodies adapt to the fluid shifts.

 

[pdirt]

Agreed. There is, however, biological/natural/ instinctive species behavior to bear in mind......

Oh, yes, most certainly. But they are simply tendencies in most cases. An except would be the color sex-links, I doubt there is any tendency toward a rooster having the hen colors or vice versa. For example, I read in more than one place (including the person whom we got the Cuckoos from) that Cuckoo Maran's are supposed to lay super dark brown eggs (like dark milk chocolate brown) and do not have the broody tendency left. While our "cuckoos" look like the photos I have seen, neither of them lay dark eggs (just normal brown eggs) and BOTH of them are quite broody. In fact, one is sitting on our clutch of hatching silkies as we speak.

 

[chickengirl1193]

Could be...seems like warm weather always seems to bring on a little more loose stools for a bit but then they seem to adjust to it as their bodies adapt to the fluid shifts. 

Okay. What are some red flags to look for in the next few days in their poo? Like how do I know they are having diarrhea or are sick? They all laid an egg today and were very active. Maybe ill make their feed a bit drier also