Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[Mumsy]

I drilled holes around the bottom of my mash bucket and also the entire bottom at an inch apart. When the mash bucket is nested, the liquid draws up. I stir it a few times a day and the only soupy part is in that lower two to three inches of the mash. The consistency of mine is like thick mush. I hold the bucket up to drain for about a minute by the handle then ladle out what I need with a slotted spoon into a bowl to take out to the barn. No excess liquid this way.
I keep an old flour sack towel over the bucket. I can only smell the fermenting goodness when I stick my nose down close. There is no strong odor. I was a little concerned about that before hand. It very much does remind me of sourdough starter. It smells good.
For my first try at this I'm thrilled to say it went just the way Bee said it would.

I got my food grade buckets for free at the local grocery store deli. They were used for vanilla frosting. Even after cleaning them out, they still smelled vaguely of cupcakes.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I meant that for layers. For meat birds it depends on how fast you want them to grow out. A lot here seem to be feeding a little lower protein level so that the CornishX birds will grow slower That gives them more time to develop flavor and real muscle and lets their bodies keep up with their weight gain so they aren't crippled by weak bones and joints.

You aren't kidding... I processed 6 of my CX Friday...I was dumbfounded. NO repeat no FAT! none.. almost creeped me out! I don't have a scale, and have called everyone i know.. my future SIL is bringing me a fish scale (LOL) to check weights. I know i had a few that are at least 5lbs.they didn't get fermented feed, i have just started.. but they free range at least 7 hours a day. I fed all flock about 16% protein, at 5 weeks on and supplemented with mealies.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Pigeonguy I live in south central Iowa. I don't have any chickens yet but am planning on getting some in the spring. It has been a LONGGGG time since I have had any. So I am not a total newbie but with it so long ago I feel like have forgotten quite a lot about them. Thanks for the welcome!

Glad you are here! I am the same, raised chickens about 30 years ago. So much more good information to find then there was back then! BYC has so many awesome people!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Talking out loud? That reminds me of laughing out loud.... I saw an egg sale display at the grocery store about a month ago. So out of curiosity I went over to check them out. I grabbed a carton, opened it, and when I saw the 12 identical perfectly shaped, cleaned white chalky eggs I started to laugh out loud. Not sure why but I thought it was funny. Looked around to see who was watching, then carried on with my day. It was a good day.

I thought if anyone could relate to this storey, they might be on this forum...

LMAO i love this!!! DH told me he will never eat another fake egg. YAY gooo girls!!!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I drilled holes around the bottom of my mash bucket and also the entire bottom at an inch apart. When the mash bucket is nested, the liquid draws up. I stir it a few times a day and the only soupy part is in that lower two to three inches of the mash. The consistency of mine is like thick mush. I hold the bucket up to drain for about a minute by the handle then ladle out what I need with a slotted spoon into a bowl to take out to the barn. No excess liquid this way.
I keep an old flour sack towel over the bucket. I can only smell the fermenting goodness when I stick my nose down close. There is no strong odor. I was a little concerned about that before hand. It very much does remind me of sourdough starter. It smells good.
For my first try at this I'm thrilled to say it went just the way Bee said it would.

I got my food grade buckets for free at the local grocery store deli. They were used for vanilla frosting. Even after cleaning them out, they still smelled vaguely of cupcakes.

My oldest DD is the bakery manager at the grocery. She brings me all the different buckets and lids. They throw tons away. So if you want any, just check with your stores and the deli too, they don't like filling their dumpsters.

 

[Suzierd]

Well my FF isa cookin. One question I know with usin crumbles it will be mushy but, wonderin if my holes in the inside bucket are big enough. The water flowed into them but won't flow out. Should I leave em and see what it does?  I have a walk in pantry so my mix is inside. At least until husband smells it. He thinks it'll make the whole house smell.  By the way I red somewhere that DH didn't stand for dumb husband. So what does it stand for?

DH - Dear Husband
I thought Dumb Husband at first too. Lol

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

DH - Dear Husband
I thought Dumb Husband at first too. Lol

DH = dear husband. LMAO he isn't dumb just frustrating! But soo very dear... he told me NOOOO loudly on Emu forget it, not happening. we visited a good friend recently and she has them..
WOW are they aggressive during breeding season. he was a lil freaked out by their stature and the drumming the girls do. But i am still trying hehehe

 

[Leahs Mom]

I think this question may be for Pigeon - but if anyone else has input, please!!!

I am thinking I want to try to come up w/ a feed that is TOTALLY LEGUME FREE. Right now I use soy-free (for various reasons). There are peas in the mix to make up some of the protein. However, it seems obvious to me that the birds wouldn't choose to eat a legume if they were choosing their own feed. Additionally, I think that the bio-availability of the protein from legumes (and probably grains as well unless they are fermented or sprouted) is pretty low.

So...that being said, I'm wondering how you might suggest formulating a totally legume-free feed that keeps the protein level at 16 - 17%. I do currently use fish meal in the mix and perhaps upping that may help.

I get my feed from a feed mill that formulates for me. When I originally got it, I told him what I didn't want in it and he formulated to protein level around that. I'm going to call him again and see what he comes up with if I ask for totally legume-free, but wanted to get input here first.

 

[daleeper]

However, it seems obvious to me that the birds wouldn't choose to eat a legume if they were choosing their own feed.

I would be interested in hearing more about that, as the birds around here seem to love legumes, from clover seeds and seedlings to mature soybeans in the field.

 

[texasmomma]

I'm not sure where to ask this, but I'll try here first. I had two chicks hatch on Friday morning. I had another egg in the incubator, so took them out of the incubator and into my brooder. They have an ecoglow warmer in there and have spent quite a bit of time sleeping under it and then coming out from under it. I think. I'm not really watching them as much as my children are. LOL They have had water and food, since Friday, but I hadn't expected them to eat or drink any of it right away. The food is fermented chick starter. I started it last Tuesday, to make sure it was fermented by the time the chicks were ready for it. It looks good, better than the FF I have for my older chicks/pullets.

I changed out the water and food for them this morning because the food was getting stale and I just decided to change the water. No good reason, really. The water has ACV in it and a little bit of black strap molasses for b vitamins. I don't want to give my chicks Poly-Vi-Sol.

I have dipped their beaks in the water and the food. Not interested. I have also put some feed on the ground in their brooder. Not interested. I know I am being a ninny, but I am concerned that they haven't yet eaten or drank. I'm a mother; I feed people. I know these are chicks and not people, but, well, I'm being a ninny.

They are peeping, moving around, etc.