Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[Ashdoes]

Want to see disgustingly expensive?
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/finally-a-100k-chicken-coop-178514

Yes I saw this one...what are people thinking? I honestly don't think people who have a hundred grand to blow, get chickens. Lol.
I could have some one build this exact model for nothing more than the cost of lumber...he's called a husband. And I'm pretty sure most the people on here could do the same.

 

[jeapa]

Still have power here in Delaware though we have many roads flooded. It is expected to get worse throughout the daytoday.
My flock is still gobbeling up the FF as usual. I am planning to occassionally mix in some warm oatmeal or rice this winter so they don't have to eat it cold. I have 6 out of my 8 hens laying now and my eggs are getting larger quickly, from pullet size to large size after only a few eggs.

Stay safe everyone.

 

[aoxa]

Yes I saw this one...what are people thinking? I honestly don't think people who have a hundred grand to blow, get chickens. Lol.
I could have some one build this exact model for nothing more than the cost of lumber...he's called a husband. And I'm pretty sure most the people on here could do the same.

I thought this was a joke... Honest to God.. Took me a while to believe it wasn't. I doubt anyone would do this.

Maybe Martha Stewart...

 

[texasmomma]

Update here on my ff. We live in Texas, and it has been getting into the upper 30's here at night. I have the ff in an old cat food bucket. I use a colander to strain it. I'm using some very messy mash and Cascade organic grower to ferment. When I add in the mash, it smells bad. I don't have any more of the mash, so am not going to add it again. Just the Cascade food seems to have a much better smell. I think it is due to the vitamins and minerals that are in the mash.

This last batch has been for my 7 week old babies and my 17 week old pullets. The babies have been eating the feed since they were a couple of weeks old. They love it. They fly onto the container when I bring it in to their feeding area. They do leave some of the peas if I give them too much. I left it too sloppy last night, and they left some of that as well. Will have to get it less sloppy.

The older pullets do not like the FF as much. They wyandotte will eat anything, and she tends to eat more of it than the two australorps. They get fed in the morning. If it is nice, then I put them in the mobile coop and they hang out there during the day. They are fed again in the evening when they return. There are days when they eat everything I give them and days when they don't eat much. I can't figure out what makes a difference for them.

My next batch of chicks will be fed ff from the beginning. I have some that are incubating now and will have more at the end of December if all goes as planned.

 

[smyers32]

I've been curious if there is such a thing as too young for FF. I am planning to get some chicks in another month or two, I'm assuming they will ship as day olds and they aren't coming far. Can I just give 'em FF from day one? (or day 3 it might be when they get to me)

 

[Ashdoes]

I noticed all my birds prefer the FF to be on the thicker side. I've also noticed the longer it sits the thinner and sloppier it gets. I add just pellets on the fourth day. I've decided to go back to one bucket, now that's it's colder, it's easier for me to just take a jug of water out to the barn, to add more feed and water. This way I don't have to haul these buckets in and out. And my FF is almost always bubbling.

 

[Beekissed]

I've been curious if there is such a thing as too young for FF. I am planning to get some chicks in another month or two, I'm assuming they will ship as day olds and they aren't coming far. Can I just give 'em FF from day one? (or day 3 it might be when they get to me)

My meaties got it from the second or third day, but only because my FF was still working...I would have given it the first day if it had been available. They need those probios from the get go and it should really help them get a great start. In the spring, if I get a broody and chicks or if I get some chicks in the mail, I will most definitely be feeding FF from day one.

 

[smyers32]

good to know. Thanks! I wonder if my FF is doing what it's supposed to. It doesn't seem very bubbly.

 

[aoxa]

What does everyone do about the mess the chicks make when eating? They get all in it and are covered in crust once the food dries on their down. I've been mixing food, water and ACV and they love it. I do it at night, and stir it in the morning before work.. Also note that this is not a good idea when you are wearing dress pants. I didn't notice that I was covered with specks of dried food from stirring this AM.

 

[Beekissed]

I designed a feeder that was more attuned to FF and put a wire overlay on it so they could dip into but stay out of the feed...their feet still got a little wet and a little on their chests but the heat lamp, dry bedding and the other birds took care of the mess before long. And these were meaties, so much, much more messy than the regular chick....will actually claw and dive into feed when it comes if you let them.