Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[Beekissed]

Place the food under their heat light...not directly under but in the area that is warmed by the light but not under where a crust forms from the heat. They like it better in the warm and in the light...and you can stir it up now and again. You can also place BOSS in it to get them to peck at it instinctively.

 

[aoxa]

Place the food under their heat light...not directly under but in the area that is warmed by the light but not under where a crust forms from the heat.  They like it better in the warm and in the light...and you can stir it up now and again.  You can also place BOSS in it to get them to peck at it instinctively. 

 

They are bantam chicks, couldn't they choke on the BOSS?

I have it right on the outer part of the light, on a even log with their water so they won't get shavings in it. I found these cute dollar store containers that holds smaller amounts of feed for 3 chicks. They may eat 1/10s of a cup a day. Such small things!

 

[Beekissed]

Nope...they won't choke. If they can eat it and fit it into their mouths and can get it into their throats they will not choke. Never had a chicken die of choking in 36 years. Their esophagus is quite flexible, as are the structures in their throats...not like us humans.

 

[aoxa]

Nope...they won't choke.  If they can eat it and fit it into their mouths and can get it into their throats they will not choke.  Never had a chicken die of choking in 36 years.  Their esophagus is quite flexible, as are the structures in their throats...not like us humans. 

 

I had a silkie choke on a turkey pellet before.

I was there, and massaged it down, but she could not breathe.

But then again, silkies are aliens, not chickens

 

[Beekissed]

I had a silkie choke on a turkey pellet before.

I was there, and massaged it down, but she could not breathe.
But then again, silkies are aliens, not chickens

So true. I don't know if they qualify as being true to poultry norms on just about anything, so one seriously cannot use them as a gauge on probable poultry behavior.

 

[Lacy Blues]

I've had a full grown chicken choke on his regular feed because he ate too fast. He was always extremely hungry in the morning. Luckily I was still around and heard him hit the floor of his coop and start flopping. I was able to grab him and all I could do to help was kind of swing him around a little bit and I guess the pellet came out because he revived! Crazy bird!

That was before ff when their food was dry. I have a hard time imagining them choking on moist, pre-expanded food.

Something you can do for the chicks, if you fear the boss being too big is milo. It's small enough. So is millet.

 

[aoxa]

I've had a full grown chicken choke on his regular feed because he ate too fast.  He was always extremely hungry in the morning.  Luckily I was still around and heard him hit the floor of his coop and start flopping.  I was able to grab him and all I could do to help was kind of swing him around a little bit and I guess the pellet came out because he revived!  Crazy bird!

That was before ff when their food was dry.  I have a hard time imagining them choking on moist, pre-expanded food.

Something you can do for the chicks, if you fear the boss being too big is milo.  It's small enough.  So is millet.

Millet.. I know every chick I've ever had goes crazy over it, but did not even think about adding it to the chick food.! Thanks so much That is what I'll do.

And yes, I doubt they would choke on moist feed

 

[Beekissed]

I've had a full grown chicken choke on his regular feed because he ate too fast. He was always extremely hungry in the morning. Luckily I was still around and heard him hit the floor of his coop and start flopping. I was able to grab him and all I could do to help was kind of swing him around a little bit and I guess the pellet came out because he revived! Crazy bird!

That was before ff when their food was dry. I have a hard time imagining them choking on moist, pre-expanded food.

Something you can do for the chicks, if you fear the boss being too big is milo. It's small enough. So is millet.

Could be why we've never had a choking...we never feed pelleted foods.

Do feed whole grains, though, and never had any birds have any mishaps with those. Y'all are feeding the wrong feeds...

 

[aoxa]

Could be why we've never had a choking...we never feed pelleted foods.    Do feed whole grains, though, and never had any birds have any mishaps with those.  Y'all are feeding the wrong feeds... 

When I was feeding dry, it is either pellets or crumble, and crumble is consumed much faster, with much more waste

I don't feed layer to my breeding flock or chicks. I always fed grower or starter. I would love to have a mash available!

 

[cutechick2010]

Could be why we've never had a choking...we never feed pelleted foods.

Do feed whole grains, though, and never had any birds have any mishaps with those. Y'all are feeding the wrong feeds...

I am wondering, can you feed fermented whole grains to baby chicks? I am looking for ways to get off of commercial feeds altogether, and have been wondering what I could give to little chicks. I am so excited by this idea, I already have a bottle of the Bragg's ACV here on my counter waiting! LOL

Oh yeah, and what grains would you recommend, aside from corn or soy?