Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[griffinkid02]

Well after a couple of days to inhaling the food faster than I could scoop and drain it, they have reduced back to the initial reduced amount they were eating before. Just checked on everyone for the night and there is about 1/4 of a cup of feed in each brooder, which is what I am used to, and wanting to, see at night so they can have an "appetizer" in the AM before I get out there.

 

[jrsckn]

My next batch of chicks arrives next week so get ready for a semi-scientific experiment. I'm applying to vet school this year so I figured this would be a good topic for an essay for the application. I'm getting 15 CX, 5 EE, and 5 JG. I think I'll split them up and do 5 CX on regular dry feed, 5 CX on fermented feed, and 5 CX with the JG, and EE on fermented with pasture. I'll keep a lab log and report back with detailed observations, weights, and feed amts. It'll be a lot of work raising 3 separate pens but I think it'll be worth it - if all survive shipping and I have enough chicks to do it this way.

 

[myhubbycallsmechickeemama]

My next batch of chicks arrives next week so get ready for a semi-scientific experiment.  I'm applying to vet school this year so I figured this would be a good topic for an essay for the application.  I'm getting 15 CX, 5 EE, and 5 JG.  I think I'll split them up and do 5 CX on regular dry feed, 5 CX on fermented feed, and 5 CX with the JG, and EE on fermented with pasture.  I'll keep a lab log and report back with detailed observations, weights, and feed amts.  It'll be a lot of work raising 3 separate pens but I think it'll be worth it - if all survive shipping and I have enough chicks to do it this way.

Awesome!! Look forward to your updates already and best of luck to you.

 

[Island Roo]

Quote:
Better than discovery channel !!!

I wish I had been taking better notes. We're on week 7 (this is the 1st week of fermenting) and 23 birds are getting what started out as 3 quarts of dry food morning and again in late afternoon. By the time the food is fermented it is much more than 3 quarts. It's a mix of grower pellets and scratch (wheat, oats, sunflower, corn).

More notes next time...

 

[galanie]

My next batch of chicks arrives next week so get ready for a semi-scientific experiment.  I'm applying to vet school this year so I figured this would be a good topic for an essay for the application.  I'm getting 15 CX, 5 EE, and 5 JG.  I think I'll split them up and do 5 CX on regular dry feed, 5 CX on fermented feed, and 5 CX with the JG, and EE on fermented with pasture.  I'll keep a lab log and report back with detailed observations, weights, and feed amts.  It'll be a lot of work raising 3 separate pens but I think it'll be worth it - if all survive shipping and I have enough chicks to do it this way.

Can't wait to see those observations! Already I want your chicks to be 8 weeks old lol.

 

[myhubbycallsmechickeemama]

Can't wait to see those observations! Already I want your chicks to be 8 weeks old lol.

Haha...we want them to be 8 weeks already and they haven't even hatched yet!!

 

[peteyfoozer]

What is everyone using for a chick feeder? My chicks manage to step in the fermented feed and get STUCK!

 

[KeilFamilyFarm]

Okay, I have been following this post for some time now. My Chicks have been on FF for 2 weeks now. One batch is 4 Weeks Old and the other is 2 Weeks Old. All is GREAT! I am loving what I am seeing!! But just have one question, Has anyone processed yet? I wanted to see if you noticed a difference in the taste?

 

[Zootopia]

Now alot of us have been here awhile but this thread has really taken on a life of it's own! Great to see so many people not willing to stick to the status quo. I sent someone over here and they were a little overwhelmed so maybe "B", can you write a basic Recipe for the Newbies to start with. Apparently not everyone understands ACV

, (Like me and Spell check, when I first stuck my toes in)

 

[shadowmane]

Bee put a few links and some real good information in one of the first few posts. I would go there first and read some of those reports.

And Bee, I, too, am curious as to how your meat birds taste.