Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[Triple Willow]

if you have a wire pen you could sit inside the others pen and put the ones in it that you want to get introduced to the others so they could see each other that would get them used to each other. You could leave it in there for a few days maybe a week or so and then put them together at night time and check on them bright and early the next morning to see how all of them are doing. I'd keep a close eye on them for a few days once I put them together just to be safe as well. But this worked with mine although mine were raised together basically just with a wire in-between them so they could see each other and I didn't even have to put them in together at night time, I just tried putting them together just a few of them and they hit it off. They'd been sleeping against the wire on both sides of the wire for weeks before I did this inside their pens. lol

That sounds good. Hmm... I'll have to see if I can figure out how maybe I can do that. Thank you Rose!

 

[DaveMorey]

if you have a wire pen you could sit inside the others pen and put the ones in it that you want to get introduced to the others so they could see each other that would get them used to each other. You could leave it in there for a few days maybe a week or so and then put them together at night time and check on them bright and early the next morning to see how all of them are doing. I'd keep a close eye on them for a few days once I put them together just to be safe as well. But this worked with mine although mine were raised together basically just with a wire in-between them so they could see each other and I didn't even have to put them in together at night time, I just tried putting them together just a few of them and they hit it off. They'd been sleeping against the wire on both sides of the wire for weeks before I did this inside their pens. lol

When I integrated mine I separated them in the coop with chicken mesh. After a week I tried them together and watched them together. There was just too much bullying so I separated them again for another week. When I introduced them the second time it went better. There was still some bullying but mostly it was establishing the pecking order. My two broods were only separated by 3 weeks though. Apparently my attempt at multi quote didn't work.

 

[armorfirelady]

For those who are hesitant & wonder if their chickens will like their FF I present Edie the EE. they are only fed at night & since they like to try & convince me they are starving (their not) Edie feels the need to fly up & sit on the edge of the bucket and help herself when it dinner time

 

[RoseMarie1]

Mine were 2 weeks a part in age but there was a huge difference in size in them.

 

[Sore Thumb Suburbanite]

Ok, I've been busy since my vacation a few weeks back and I have been catching up -I cant believe its been almost 100 pages in that time?!!! Holy cow. I am more interested in rabbits than ever since I make my own cat food and like the idea of having pelts to sell one day. For people who want to make sure their animals are getting the heat diet and choose to feed their cats (instead of having outdoor rodent killers) I have read several studies about how cooked food for cats...so anykind of canned or dry food ...adversely affect them, creating reproductive havoc in just one generation and total sterility in five. So if you don't feed your cats raw food already...consider it! There are many recipes online. My cats ar fed raw and they are lean, glossy coated, poop less with less odor, and have very clean teeth. No Tartar at all! Sorry for the tangent but its sortable related since we discuss the benefits of species appropriate feed here.

Also was really glad Bee shared the information about phytic acid and phytase in grains...this is really important in human diets as well! We need to properly prepare (fermenting and soaking) our own grains for consumption so we can better absorb the nutrients as well as keep the phytic acid (which bonds with minerals in our bodies) down. So much of our consumption of typical grains from breads and cereals are soooo improperly prepared that they hurt us. The evidence is in the form of celiac's disease which many people have undiagnosed forms of. Anyway, if you like how great ff is for chickens you should also understand how beneficial it could be for us. She also highlited how yeast...the stuff you buy at the store degrades carbohydrates...it is my understanding that this type of yeast is bad for us due to its adverse affect on the foods its used in. Anyway...I just though it was appropriate to point out how ff is applicable to humans and suggest everyone attempt to integrate fermented food (you'll have to make it yourself and commecial beer and alcohol doesn't count) into our diets or at least limit your grain intake if it isn't properly prepared. A great way to do this is by taking some acv in your own water Daily, eating probiotic cultures in yogurt /kefir and so on...I 'll stop talking about that now.

I think bee should write an e book and publish it through amazon so she can give it out for free if she likes since she doesn't want the money or sell it for 99¢ and donate the proceeds to her church. My sister's Friend publishes books on amazon...short stories, kids books and he makes over 100 grand a year selling them for 99¢… think, bee, how your church or a good missionary could benefit not to mention all of us who need tried and true methods for deep litter, ff, free ranging etc. Anyway publishing that way allows for you to not make money if you choose.

Also, I just started juicing since my son has an affinity for carrot juice and everything from the store is pastuerized so half the nutrients are dead... I was wondering if anyone thinks it would be bad to add the leftovers pulp to my ff bucket? I could compost it and my turkeys like it straight, but I thought why jot improve on it if I can.

And finally, I have a small backyard which will be getting grass soon, its basically 60x20 with a garden and a small building going in in October in a corner. Anyway, want to know if that sounds adequate for 4 hens to free range and just get supplemental ff at the end of day? We have lots of bugs for an urban backyard and my husband and I rear caterpillars and beetles grubs for our ducks already (we are new to chickens) .

I love this thread, its so educational and everyone seems to be pursuing the best for their animals and themselves!

 

[AletaG]

And finally, I have a small backyard which will be getting grass soon, its basically 60x20 with a garden and a small building going in in October in a corner. Anyway, want to know if that sounds adequate for 4 hens to free range and just get supplemental ff at the end of day? We have lots of bugs for an urban backyard and my husband and I rear caterpillars and beetles grubs for our ducks already (we are new to chickens) .

I love this thread, its so educational and everyone seems to be pursuing the best for their animals and themselves!

Wow. Welcome back.

My chicken yard is about 30*100 and I plan to have about 15 LF and about the same in Bantams. Plan is for the whole thing to be deep litter (half done at the mo'), with moveable 4*4' covered grow frames so there's always some greenery. There are some blackberrys and bushes and trees at the E side, and I plan to add native huckleberry, Oregon Grape and probably some cool-weather loving blueberries as both cover and feed. So far, our 16 birds only eat about 2oz feed per bird per day (dry weight). Long way to say, go for it, but if you plan to keep lawn out there,

, good luck!

 

[Beekissed]

Quote:

Been thinking about that....trying to keep the information down to a basic handbook as a volume one and then get into some details in a second volume. Barebones and basic, straight to the point with easy to follow instructions, if there is such a thing, in the first book.

 

[Windy Bay Farm]

Been thinking about that....trying to keep the information down to a basic handbook as a volume one and then get into some details in a second volume.  Barebones and basic, straight to the point with easy to follow instructions, if there is such a thing, in the first book. 

Do it, Bee !! It would be a top seller and I for one would be purchasing everything you write and sell !!

 

[Beekissed]

That's one....

What do you guys want to call it? How much would you charge if it were your book...keeping in mind that we want it to be affordable but not giving it away...can't make money for missions if ya don't charge something!

 

[Sore Thumb Suburbanite]

That's one....    What do you guys want to call it?  How much would you charge if it were your book...keeping in mind that we want it to be affordable but not giving it away...can't make money for missions if ya don't charge something! 

I think for barebones basics in a two volume set you could charge something like 5.99 each...keeping in mind everyone will likely hug both ormore volumes.... That would make you some money for missions. You should definately include a statement indicating proceeds benefit missionaries. You could do a poll on titles on byc and give a free copy or download to the winneer. Here are my ideas : better chicken husbandry -timeproven techniques and practices for the best flocks. Or, basic chicken sense for the thriving small flock -a laymen's guide to fermented feed, deep litter and free ranging.