Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[Beekissed]

Yeah...that humor and smile doesn't always show through on the page. I always teach with humor...ask my kids!

 

[mickey328]

Even before the chickens, we had dogs and cats. Very definitely pets and part of the family. When sick, we did (do) the best we can to help restore their health. However, a line needs to be drawn at some point. For example, I would never ever treat a dog for cancer. First, it's far too expensive for us and second, the dog has no idea about anything except that it feels awful...you can't explain to them why it has to be so. My tack is to keep them feeling as good as possible, but when the time comes, it's kindest to send them to "the bridge". Of course, it's different because I don't have to dispatch them myself; they go to the vet and I can hold them as they just drift to sleep. I would hope though, that if there were no other option, I'd dig deep enough to do what's right for the animal...a quick, painless death seems far kinder to to drag out an illness where they just hurt and waste away.

We have 6 chickens who are hale and healthy and are planning to breed rabbits for meat come spring. DH has said he'd do the dispatching, but I will also watch and learn in case I have to do it when he's not available. Not looking forward to it but I feel responsible for the animals. We may be going to butcher them for food, but until that time, I feel bound to make their lives as comfortable and happy as possible, and to make their demise as quick and painless as possible. It's not something I'll take lightly and will undertake it with gratitude. Really, the only way to get around it is to become vegetarian and I'm not prepared to do that

I do understand where Gale's coming from...it's really hard, especially if you become attached to the animals. My chickens aren't pets although I'm fond of them. I'm thinking it'll be more difficult with the rabbits though...all that soft cuddliness. I'll try to get around that by not getting too attached...not naming them or handling them too much. The breeding stock will be different, since they'll be around a lot longer. Still, there will come a day...

Back to the subject...picked up my grains yesterday. I want to get a batch started soon, but at this point, I think we need to find something to store them in before opening them...don't want to send out an invitation to the neighborhood mice! For their pellets and corn, we had them in a large heavy plastic garbage can (the kind the trash company gives you when you sign up). It worked well for two bags, but we now have 4 more and I don't know where to put 'em! LOL

We probably have 1/3 bag of pellets left...I'm assuming I can use them in the ferment as well? I'm also going to grow some wheat and barley inside for them so they have fresh greens all winter.

 

[Beekissed]

Believe it or not, rabbits were the hardest thing for me to kill. Not that we were at all attached in any way as they were raised for that express purpose...but something to do with all that clean, soft fur. Kept thinking I was killing my favorite stuffed animal...they are so very beautiful in every way.

Chickens have a certain scaly ugliness in some places on their body that makes it a little easier but still tough to do if it's a favorite old hen or a beautiful young rooster. All that pretty fur and feathers...seems so hard to put blood on it or mark it in any way.

Make no mistake..I DO understand how hard it is. Imagine you are 10 years old and had never killed an animal before but you have to help cut off the heads of chickens, ducks and turkeys that were raised from chicks...and you have to do it with a big ol' bloody axe.

It doesn't get any harder than killing soft, pretty animals when you are a kid. It still hasn't gotten any easier...but I grew up and realized that someone has to do it and waiting doesn't make it happen on its own. No husband to take that burden...gotta just do it if you want to feed your family.

 

[oshun55555]

Good links! The only thing I saw that I don't recommend is chasing the bird down right before butchering(third link). This creates a lot of adrenalin in the system you don't want and is unnecessarily rough on the bird, causing undue stress from the excitement and fear of being chased. I always take mine off the roost the night before and either cage them or tie them and leave them with their flockmates in the coop until the next morning's processing.

that's the only way to do it, and in the morning they have been without water and food all night so no need to cage them up and keep food and water away for 24 hrs, seems kinda cruel to me, with this method Bee no change in their routine, except the part about going to the killing cone, been doing it that way for many years.

 

[LaynaDon95]

I have been reading this thread on and off all day and have made it as far as page 20.

I know I'm a little late to the party, but can I join in too? I put in my first batch of fermenting feed earlier today. I was so proud! I went up to check on it and the feed had absorbed ALL the water! (it's just Dumor laying pellets) I added more, and it started fizzing and bubbled! I have to admit I got a bit giddy, like a little girl...

I do have some questions... Okay, so I have a TON of questions, but you guys seem to like to answer question so I don't see this being a problem. I apologize in advance if I ask questions that have already been covered in this thread. 252 pages and counting is a lot to read through. You can just refer me back to the page it's on if you want. =P So.
1) How long do I let it sit? I've seen everything from 8 hours to days on end.
2) What are y'all's "recipes" for homemade feed? Is it cheaper than laying pellets? I can get mine for $15 per 50 lbs. bag. I'm trying to decrease the feed bill, while still getting my girls good nutrition. I'm going through 50 lbs. a week for only 48 birds. That's a little over a pound a week per bird. I say one lady (using the fermented feed method) getting twice that; 50 lbs. a week for 100 birds. I assume that has to do with the extra nutrition in fermented feed?
3) My bucket set up is as follows:
I got 2 buckets (square icing buckets from the bakery at Wal-Mart. I got them for free.) and drilled very small holes all in one of them, then put it inside another with no holes. I put the lid on the top bucket and drilled some small holes in it, too. I know someone had said they leave their lid cracked, but that's not an option for me because critters will get into it where I have to keep it. I put some feed in it, covered it with water, added a splash of ACV, and viola! Does this sounds right...? How do I know when it's ready to serve?
Okay, so I have a LOT more, but I'm gonna try to cover them slowly.

 

[Beekissed]

Yep, I think it helps them to not be separated from their flock. I'm all for easy and stress free on processing day...for all concerned. Makes it go fast and quiet.

 

[Chucklecluck]

What is mother vinegar

 

[Beekissed]

What is mother vinegar

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother_of_vinegar

 

[aoxa]

It does get easier but it is never easy.  It's never easy to kill anything and I don't think it comes natural to any human being.  It is an unnatural thing to take another life but it became necessary along the way of human existence.  If it ever gets easy for me, I'll be very worried. 

 

This is good to note! I do know a few people that don't care at all and don't even blink when a bird dies. I don't want to be that person, and it's nice to know that OT's like you still see the value in their lives.

I find it very worth while to raise birds for meat. I don't do CX because I have enough DP males to do the job. No one wants mixed breed boys. The girls - yes. People pay good money for any pullet close to POL - mixed or not. If they are pretty - they sell.

Goal is to make enough to feed the flock. I'm getting there!

 I have been reading this thread on and off all day and have made it as far as page 20.   I know I'm a little late to the party, but can I join in too? I put in my first batch of fermenting feed earlier today. I was so proud! I went up to check on it and the feed had absorbed ALL the water! (it's just Dumor laying pellets) I added more, and it started fizzing and bubbled! I have to admit I got a bit giddy, like a little girl...   I do have some questions... Okay, so I have a TON of questions, but you guys seem to like to answer question so I don't see this being a problem. I apologize in advance if I ask questions that have already been covered in this thread. 252 pages and counting is a lot to read through. You can just refer me back to the page it's on if you want. =P So.
1) How long do I let it sit? I've seen everything from 8 hours to days on end. 
2) What are y'all's "recipes" for homemade feed? Is it cheaper than laying pellets? I can get mine for $15 per 50 lbs. bag. I'm trying to decrease the feed bill, while still getting my girls good nutrition. I'm going through 50 lbs. a week for only 48 birds. That's a little over a pound a week per bird. I say one lady (using the fermented feed method) getting twice that; 50 lbs. a week for 100 birds. I assume that has to do with the extra nutrition in fermented feed?
3) My bucket set up is as follows:
I got 2 buckets (square icing buckets from the bakery at Wal-Mart. I got them for free.) and drilled very small holes all in one of them, then put it inside another with no holes. I put the lid on the top bucket and drilled some small holes in it, too. I know someone had said they leave their lid cracked, but that's not an option for me because critters will get into it where I have to keep it. I put some feed in it, covered it with water, added a splash of ACV, and viola! Does this sounds right...? How do I know when it's ready to serve?
Okay, so I have a LOT more, but I'm gonna try to cover them slowly. 

1) I thought at least 24 hours. That's what I've been doing.
2)It's different for everyone pretty much.. I use a 3 grain scratch at a 1/4 to 3/4 grower crumble right now - but have some turkey grower to use after..
3) Sounds perfect to me! As for when to serve, I'll let someone else answer that. I serve 24 hours after I set it. 1 bag ends up being one full garbage can after mixed with water and scratch. That whole garbage can lasted me from Sunday until this morning. Ran out.. Had to start a new batch.. I need to do the bottom bucket thing - which is meant to store your good fermented juices. If you look at some of the images on here - you'll see how cool it can look after a good ferment has started.

Whoever had this image - it's my favourite. It's so pretty

 

[armorfirelady]

Back to the subject...picked up my grains yesterday. I want to get a batch started soon, but at this point, I think we need to find something to store them in before opening them...don't want to send out an invitation to the neighborhood mice! For their pellets and corn, we had them in a large heavy plastic garbage can (the kind the trash company gives you when you sign up). It worked well for two bags, but we now have 4 more and I don't know where to put 'em! LOL

We probably have 1/3 bag of pellets left...I'm assuming I can use them in the ferment as well? I'm also going to grow some wheat and barley inside for them so they have fresh greens all winter.

I found extray heavy duty tubs at Walmart. They easily hold 50# of food without a problem & there is still room for more. They stack very nicely & dont take up much space. Black bottoms yellow lids. (was trying to find a pick of them) I havent any problems with mice, squirrels or chipmunks getting into them & they will get into anything they can