FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[kpgoldstar]

Thanks guys. I saw one that Bee made that had several chicks standing in it. Thought the long kind would be good so everyone would have room but hoping to keep them from stepping in it. But the plastic seemed like it might be light weight for big chickens. Maybe I could screw it on the ends to pieces of wood.

You can always place a piece of wire mesh over the top until they are big enough that they don't want to stand in it.

 

[topdycke]

You can always place a piece of wire mesh over the top until they are big enough that they don't want to stand in it.

I feed them using a Fortiflex black rubber feeder. Its around 8" deep and 2' diameter for livestock. They do jump right into it but they clean up every scrap of food and when I go to refill I just tump it upside down to knock the shavings out and start scooping the fermented in. It ends up looking like a black pie pan with ix chicken butts sticking out of it.

 

[n3kms]

See, I knew ya'll would have lots of good ideas. I think my problem is I just can't picture how big they are going to be. I have one of the long ones that I got today at TSC. It was $5.99 and I had to get pine shavings anyway. Thought I would go ahead and screw it to some scraps of 2X4 and when the holes are too small I'll take the top off and when they outgrow that I'll see about a gutter type. I'm going to get a few more chicks so I will be able to use all of the stuff I have now again.

LindaB220, I had thought about making a feeder out of 2X4s, I must have seen it on this sight somewhere because I doubt I could think that up myself. But I couldn't remember for sure and I didn't know if it would last and if it ever needed cleaning, would it clean well.

ChickenCanoe, I normally would agree about Tennessee weather. It has been mid to upper 80's and mid 60's at night. I would be getting them out of that box here in the next couple of days but the day they turn 4 weeks old it is predicted to be 45 at night and 65 during the day. They seem to do fine in the box. They don't fight and they have different things to sit on. I have been taking them out to the run (which is about 300 sq ft). for an outing on most days but after the trouble I had catching them all this evening it may be the last time until they're out permanently. We pretty much finished the coop today. At least finished enough to put them in, I think. What do you think about the weather come Wednesday? I think by next weekend it is back to 80 again and 60 at night. I hate having them in there another whole week. They are growing so fast. This is the coop and run, It's not finished in this picture.

 

[LindaB220]

See, I knew ya'll would have lots of good ideas. I think my problem is I just can't picture how big they are going to be. I have one of the long ones that I got today at TSC. It was $5.99 and I had to get pine shavings anyway. Thought I would go ahead and screw it to some scraps of 2X4 and when the holes are too small I'll take the top off and when they outgrow that I'll see about a gutter type. I'm going to get a few more chicks so I will be able to use all of the stuff I have now again.

LindaB220, I had thought about making a feeder out of 2X4s, I must have seen it on this sight somewhere because I doubt I could think that up myself. But I couldn't remember for sure and I didn't know if it would last and if it ever needed cleaning, would it clean well.

ChickenCanoe, I normally would agree about Tennessee weather. It has been mid to upper 80's and mid 60's at night. I would be getting them out of that box here in the next couple of days but the day they turn 4 weeks old it is predicted to be 45 at
night and 65 during the day. They seem to do fine in the box. They don't fight and they have different things to sit on. I have been taking them out to the run (which is about 300 sq ft). for an outing on most days but after the trouble I had catching them all this evening it may be the last time until they're out permanently. We pretty much finished the coop today. At least finished enough to put them in, I think. What do you think about the weather come Wednesday? I think by next weekend it is back to 80 again and 60 at night. I hate having them in there another whole week. They are growing so fast. This is the coop and run, It's not finished in this picture.

Making a trough is easy. Well, not for me. But normal people that have the ability to hammer can just hammer 2x4 in 5' lengths with another foot on ea end to steady it. In the shape of a V. I overdid by using 2x6" and it's big enough for 30 or 40 hens instead of 16. But that's ok. I worried about cleaning it and with the fermented feed all you do is scrape out any leftover and refill. No need to keep cleaning it. They always eat the leftovers off the ground first. ha Today I went out and there was nothing in there. And I mean it was as clean as a whistle. It's not going to mold or anything like that.

 

[1000yearoldeggs]

Hi, I didn't want to start a new thread just to ask one question, so I hope you don't mind helping me out. I don't know much about fermenting, but I wanted to try it out. It's been about 2 or 3 days since I started it and it's really bubbly and smells strong.

It kind of smells like sauerkraut, I don't know if it's turning out ok or not. It's a mix of chick starter, a little scratch and black oil sunflower seeds. I mixed it all into some water and put it into a container. I've been stirring it a few times everyday. Am I doing this right? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[leesbunny]

Sounds like you are doing it absolutely right

 

[1000yearoldeggs]

Thanks, I was hoping it's ok. It definitely started fermenting today, the smell's not bad, just a little strong.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

See, I knew ya'll would have lots of good ideas. I think my problem is I just can't picture how big they are going to be. I have one of the long ones that I got today at TSC. It was $5.99 and I had to get pine shavings anyway. Thought I would go ahead and screw it to some scraps of 2X4 and when the holes are too small I'll take the top off and when they outgrow that I'll see about a gutter type. I'm going to get a few more chicks so I will be able to use all of the stuff I have now again.

LindaB220, I had thought about making a feeder out of 2X4s, I must have seen it on this sight somewhere because I doubt I could think that up myself. But I couldn't remember for sure and I didn't know if it would last and if it ever needed cleaning, would it clean well.

ChickenCanoe, I normally would agree about Tennessee weather. It has been mid to upper 80's and mid 60's at night. I would be getting them out of that box here in the next couple of days but the day they turn 4 weeks old it is predicted to be 45 at night and 65 during the day. They seem to do fine in the box. They don't fight and they have different things to sit on. I have been taking them out to the run (which is about 300 sq ft). for an outing on most days but after the trouble I had catching them all this evening it may be the last time until they're out permanently. We pretty much finished the coop today. At least finished enough to put them in, I think. What do you think about the weather come Wednesday? I think by next weekend it is back to 80 again and 60 at night. I hate having them in there another whole week. They are growing so fast. This is the coop and run, It's not finished in this picture.

It looks very nice.
Do you have electric in the coop or able to run an extension cord just for night time?
I still thing they'll be fine inside the coop. Mine have been outside without a building, just in a covered run.
Chasing chickens can be a nightmare. If they are locked in the coop for a few days, they'll return at dusk on their own.

Thanks, I was hoping it's ok. It definitely started fermenting today, the smell's not bad, just a little strong.

Sounds good to me.
I actually like the smell.

 

[beverly evans]

Thanks guys. I saw one that Bee made that had several chicks standing in it. Thought the long kind would be good so everyone would have room but hoping to keep them from stepping in it. But the plastic seemed like it might be light weight for big chickens. Maybe I could screw it on the ends to pieces of wood.

Just screw it in 2-3 places to a long plank at least as long as the feeder but with enough heft and width to prevent their knocking it over. I did that for chicks and it works well with that red plastic feeder.

 

[beverly evans]

Quote: I wish! Not in my neck of the woods anyway. I had them out for a garage sale and couldn't get $10 each for them. New ones around here are not expensive and look exactly the same. Leave them out in the rain for a bit and you've got yourself an antique. Too bad nobody wants them. : )