Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[BlueMouse]

on the topic of death row dogs, I have an 11 year old blue heeler currently lying on my foot who was a death row dog at 9 months. No one had ever given him the exercise and training he needed. I lived in a tiny city apartment, but I knew about the breed, and took him home ins spite of the best efforts of the folks at the pound to convince me I wanted a "nice" dog. I wanted Grizzle. I was black and blue from my ankles to my hip for about two months while I got him to figure out that I was NOT a cow and he could NOT sneak up behind me and bite me if he wanted me to go somewhere. With patient training and sufficent exercise he turned into a companion who has been with me for more than ten years. He's smart, loyal, protective when it counts, and did I mention smart? He's a good boy. He's been really good with the chickens. He wanted to herd them in the worst way, but once he figured out that was only acceptable if I was rounding them up to take them somewhere, he's done great. every once in a while he gets a glint in his eye. At this point all I haveto do is look at him, Make the "Eht Eht" noise, and say "NO Chickens." and he goes and lies down. Do we all make that same "Eht Eht!" noise at dogs? I've trained dogs for so long (started with guide dogs when I was 12) that I find my self making the noise at my toddlers!

On the topic of meat birds I have 26 that arrived this morning in the brooder. Already gobbling down the FF. I gave them water with ACV and raw honey in it to help them recover from the stress of travel. They seem very perky compared to other shipped day old chicks I've had, so I think I'll continue with that. I always have honey because I have hives, and ACV is someting I also make in gallons.

 

[Lacy Blues]

So here's a question for you. I have about 35 birds, 22 of which are cockerels and destined for the pot. They are all 5 weeks old. They are free ranged, deep littered and so far we've tried one FF but will continue when I get a better system down. I'd say on a scale of 1-10 I take care of my birds at a 9 level. Today while looking over everyone one of the meat cockerels seems to have gleet, or something very similar. I washed up his but and combed out the stuff, but he's all red and swollen. I'm heading in to get Nu-stock once I pick up the kids from school, but then I got to thinking about whether I wanted to keep him around at all. He obviously isn't going to be a breeder no matter what so I don't need to worry about passing his week genes on, but could he make anyone else sick? Everyone else is doing soooo well, maybe he should just "leave". I can separate him and treat him, but opinions, should I bother?

Vent gleet is highly contagious. If you don't want to treat him and raise him to butchering age, I'd axe him right now.

 

[Beekissed]

So here's a question for you. I have about 35 birds, 22 of which are cockerels and destined for the pot. They are all 5 weeks old. They are free ranged, deep littered and so far we've tried one FF but will continue when I get a better system down. I'd say on a scale of 1-10 I take care of my birds at a 9 level. Today while looking over everyone one of the meat cockerels seems to have gleet, or something very similar. I washed up his but and combed out the stuff, but he's all red and swollen. I'm heading in to get Nu-stock once I pick up the kids from school, but then I got to thinking about whether I wanted to keep him around at all. He obviously isn't going to be a breeder no matter what so I don't need to worry about passing his week genes on, but could he make anyone else sick? Everyone else is doing soooo well, maybe he should just "leave". I can separate him and treat him, but opinions, should I bother?

You could try the NS and continue the FF and see what happens. Ya never know and from what I've seen it isn't real contagious but maybe some birds are more susceptible to it than are others. But...if you're like me and you have these birds for meat and not much else, he's not a big loss...he's young to be having such problems so I'd probably just help him "leave".

Completely off topic... How many of y'all are Duck Dynasty fans? I guess considering the ducks, that's not completely off topic. lol I think Mrs. Kay needs some chickens. She buys eggs off the farm from some man but she needs her own! Something about Daddy Phil is appealing to me but I sure do identify with Jace always getting in trouble. lol And you gotta love Uncle Si!

I don't have TV but my son just LOVES those guys! He'd fit right in...looks and acts a lot like them, in fact. He's already planning to get his impending niece or nephew Duck Dynasty baby clothes.

 

[Triple Willow]

@Bee... I only have local channels using rabbit ears. lol Last year when my mom was in the hospital I saw it on tv there then I had to see more. I have bought the season 1-3 dvd sets. Bee you need to rent it and watch it at least once. They are so funny! And it is a faith based show teaching Godly values. Every show ends with a bunch of them at the supper table and a prayer of thanks.

 

[Beekissed]

I've seen bits and pieces of it now and again at my son's house but never a whole episode. I'm sure praying they are taking most of the money they are making and giving it to the poor, the hungry, and those in trouble in this world...now, that would be a good show!

 

[Triple Willow]

I've seen bits and pieces of it now and again at my son's house but never a whole episode.  I'm sure praying they are taking most of the money they are making and giving it to the poor, the hungry, and those in trouble in this world...now, that would be a good show!   

I don't know all they are doing but they have made several appearances around my area giving Christian testimonial presentations. I've never been to one but a lot of people sure do flock to see them.

 

[Beekissed]

I bet they do! I would love it if they would come to the area in which my son lives...maybe he would sit up and listen more about such topics.

 

[Triple Willow]

I bet they do!  I would love it if they would come to the area in which my son lives...maybe he would sit up and listen more about such topics. 

Maybe they will. They are making a lot of appearances.

 

[Beekissed]

Maybe they will. They are making a lot of appearances.

Wonder if I would write to them and ask them to make this part of their tour and tell them why....it could happen!

If I thought that it would make an impression, I'd sure write to them in a heartbeat! All my son sees when he sees these guys is a way to make lots of money, look and act like a hick, sit around and have fun...the ideal lifestyle for any hillbilly guy. Plus, they've got attractive wives.

To my son that is the life to be desired....I wish he'd rather just be a godly man as his first priority.

 

[Jarocal]

@Bee... I only have local channels using rabbit ears. lol Last year when my mom was in the hospital I saw it on tv there then I had to see more. I have bought the season 1-3 dvd sets. Bee you need to rent it and watch it at least once. They are so funny! And it is a faith based show teaching Godly values. Every show ends with a bunch of them at the supper table and a prayer of thanks.

I only have local channels too but I have a neighbor with satellite who dvr's it and every weekend when we're done chores for that day we have a "family" dinner and the after dinner entertainment is watching them. Having filmed for an outdoor show I do purchase the seasons of the ones I like on DVD as they become available. Purchasing the individual shows pushes the direction that the industry takes in how the shows are filmed not quite as much as Nielson ratings but it gives them a direction as to what viewers want. Duck dynasty is The third show they film and I like it because it does focus on the family structure aspect more than either of their other two shows. I have filmed everything from sitting in a tree stand waiting on a deer to walk by to following a family small game hunting behind beagles and for me when the editor was done compiling the episodes, the ones where a family was out and the daughter got her first rabbit with a proud dad fawning over her were far more poignant than when I am perched above a guy holding out for that "perfect" buck. I digressed into all that just to point out I think the success of Duck Dynasty over their other two shows is not the lack of "hunting footage" to make it more popular it is the promotion of family. That is something that resonates with people, the feeling of belonging. The fact they are Christian praying before the meal is secondary. It is the fact they value the extended family unit. A Christian principle without doubt but it can be found in other cultures/religions also.