Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[Triple Willow]

You folks who don't have a lgd watching your birds, have you... do you keep live traps set around your coop and run? I was thinking about it "just in case" but then I am wondering if a baited trap would attract something that hasn't came yet? What do y'all think???

 

[phoenixrises]

I tried feeding FF today for the first time. it took many many days to make because we had an odd cold spell in GA, and I didn't have an ACV that wasn't pasteurized so what it got from the air had to do. I was afraid since mine are 5 weeks and had never had it they would turn their beaks up at it, but it was a needless worry. They inhaled it, loved it, and I enjoyed the sour dough smell too! it won't be an every day thing because I just don't have a way to make it that quickly but I'm hoping for a couple times a week at least.

 

[Beekissed]

I tried feeding FF today for the first time. it took many many days to make because we had an odd cold spell in GA, and I didn't have an ACV that wasn't pasteurized so what it got from the air had to do. I was afraid since mine are 5 weeks and had never had it they would turn their beaks up at it, but it was a needless worry. They inhaled it, loved it, and I enjoyed the sour dough smell too! it won't be an every day thing because I just don't have a way to make it that quickly but I'm hoping for a couple times a week at least.

If you just make it up in a big ol' bucket it has time to keep on cooking along, then add fresh feed and water when you get about to the bottom and the older ferment will jump start your new and you'll always have FF on hand...just like always having sourdough mix on the countertop!

 

[Beekissed]

You folks who don't have a lgd watching your birds, have you... do you keep live traps set around your coop and run? I was thinking about it "just in case" but then I am wondering if a baited trap would attract something that hasn't came yet? What do y'all think???

I think you'd catch a lot of things that have no evil intentions for your birds like cats, skunks, squirrels, the neighbor's fat shitzu, etc.

 

[AletaG]

I think you'd catch a lot of things that have no evil intentions for your birds like cats, skunks, squirrels, the neighbor's fat shitzu, etc.

Heh, except my neighbors cat DOES want to eat my chicks, and I know people have had skunks kill birds... the fat shitzu... well, who knows. And haven't you ever seen a squirrel fed coffee beans? Keep them suckers away from the birds...
BUT, very entertaining... (no it wasn't done on purpose, and I don't advocate it either. Probably really, really bad for the squirrel)

 

[Beekissed]

Maybe a more effective method would be to surround your coop with electric poultry netting so you won't have to keep baiting and getting rid of critters?

That's how a good dog works...I never have to worry about getting rid of critters unless they be other dogs that stray into the area. If he was like the dog I used to have, I wouldn't even have to do that,which would be nice. Ol' Jake keeps all the critters away and kills the ones that won't stay out of his boundary around the coop.

 

[wlhtx]

X2 on the good dog!

EVERY time we slip up and let our big dog sleep in the shop, something grabs one of our juvie birds. Happened again this past Fri night. Sat night, big dog went back out and came up the next morning reeking of skunk - so obviously chased one away. Sun night, big dog was out and wakes up the whole house at 2:00am chasing something across the pasture. DH went out with the shotgun, couldn't see whatever it was, but could hear that it was small-ish, making cat-like noises without actually sounding like a stray cat. We're thinking raccoon. The dog is definitely earning his keep when we humans get out of the way and actually let him be a dog (sleeping outside, etc.).

 

[Triple Willow]

I think you'd catch a lot of things that have no evil intentions for your birds like cats, skunks, squirrels, the neighbor's fat shitzu, etc.   

I would probably catch a truck load of wabbits! lol If I catch a skunk I am calling you since you like them! HA My neighbors' dogs are not nice toward chickens. One is a known chicken killer (the dog not the neighbor lol). About a month ago me and its owner had words about him keeping his dog away from my place. The last two that were here, I don't know where they came from! Fat shitzus don't last around here. Small dogs are coyote bait! lol ...not funny, pretty sure they got one of my dogs. Not real long ago my aunt's little dog disappeared. I guess if everybody keeps feeding the coyotes little doggie snacks they won't bother my chickens!

 

[Triple Willow]

Heh, except my neighbors cat DOES want to eat my chicks, and I know people have had skunks kill birds... the fat shitzu... well, who knows. And haven't you ever seen a squirrel fed coffee beans? Keep them suckers away from the birds...
BUT, very entertaining... (no it wasn't done on purpose, and I don't advocate it either. Probably really, really bad for the squirrel)

Hmmm...I wonder if I have any coffee beans...? lol I have also heard that skunks will kill chickens. I heard they prefer the eggs but will go for chickens too.

 

[Triple Willow]

X2 on the good dog!

EVERY time we slip up and let our big dog sleep in the shop, something grabs one of our juvie birds. Happened again this past Fri night. Sat night, big dog went back out and came up the next morning reeking of skunk - so obviously chased one away. Sun night, big dog was out and wakes up the whole house at 2:00am chasing something across the pasture. DH went out with the shotgun, couldn't see whatever it was, but could hear that it was small-ish, making cat-like noises without actually sounding like a stray cat. We're thinking raccoon. The dog is definitely earning his keep when we humans get out of the way and actually let him be a dog (sleeping outside, etc.).

What kind of dog is it?