Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[ChocolateMouse]

I've had some windfalls of veggies before... And I usually freeze them or just toss them out to the chickens in the deep litter like Bee said. Straight into it, no sign of them later. The chickens know what is or isn't safe to eat for them and won't really eat things that are too far gone.

 

[crazyaboutchickens]

Can any of you guys tell me how risky it is to bring in eggs from an outside flock and let a broody hatch them? I've got a pullet that is wanting to hatch out some babies and I'd like to get her just a few guinea eggs. I know a lot of people do it but how likely is it that disease can be spread? Thanks as always!

My broody just hatched out 6 chicks out of 9 eggs that I got from a local chicken raiser here in town.  The first was Tuesday morning and the last was Wednesday morning.  Wednesday was day 21.  They started out on ff from day one.  I am using non medicated chicken starter for them and mom.  Its so dang cute seeing those babies eating the ff off mamas beak, and she lets them lol.  My  broody is 8 months old tomorrow.  She has done a stellar job.  She was broody for 2 weeks before I decided I couldn't break her and just got her some eggs.  Today mama totally showed them the ropes.  They were scratching and pecking.  Mama wanted outside, so I put mama and babies in part sun part shade in a 4x4 screened crate so the chicks would be safe from the other girls and the turkeys.  They LOVED it!  Mama taught them to take a proper bath!

I say go for it, it was a fantastic experience and I will do it again I'm sure.  Maybe I'll get a rooster or two out of this bunch and then I won't have to bring new blood in til the following year or so.

Good luck with what ever you choose to do!

Deb

What type of hen is she? It took my BO's two years for one to finally go broody. :/

 

[hogster160]

I made my broody get off the nest at least once per day 10-15 minutes. It was enough time for her to eat, drink, poop and bath and right back in she went. I tried doing that this morning so I could get the last egg out. She scattered her nest with the last 5 eggs in it. The other 4 eggs were cool and I found them easily enough, and she ignored them after the last baby hatched. But its that last egg I can't find. So I get her out and shes pacing and complaining loud enough all the chickens and turkeys run to the coop to see whats happening. And the chicks are just a peeping away making it worse on mama. Well she didn't stay out and I didn't find the egg. And there is no 7th chick to be found. I did finally get a good look and I still can't find that egg. The other 4 were duds, 2 that quit forming and 2 not fertile.

I did not wash the eggs, but I did sand one spot down. It had poop on it, that is one of the eggs that did not finish developing. So now I know not to do that again.

Deb

 

[hogster160]

What type of hen is she? It took my BO's two years for one to finally get broody.

Shes a black australorp

 

[Triple Willow]

What type of hen is she? It took my BO's two years for one to finally go broody. :/

Mine is a Black Australorp too. She has been playing this broody thing off and on for close to a month but now she has got serious about it. I have made her get off the nest several times. She is right at 27 weeks old. I really like Black Australorp layers!

 

[crazyaboutchickens]

Okay, thank you. Black Australorps will definitely be on my order list for next year.

 

[DaveMorey]

I had one of my Red Stars start to go broody on me this summer. She is young- hatched in March. I didn't want her broody so I had to put a stop to it. I wouldn't mind it with the right kind of bird though. I would like to get some Marans or Heritage RIR if I was going to hatch any eggs.

 

[Beekissed]

Excellent breed choice! One of my faves and should be in every flock, IMO.

 

[TexasLisa]

I love Australorps! I have 3 of the black beauties! My dh named one Stretch because she is so tall. She lays eggs that are larger than a jumbo size. They are double-yolked. I would love to get my hands on some more!

Lisa

 

[DaveMorey]

I have discovered a great many things this time with chickens. Many things that I would do differently. I wish I had known about FF from the beginning with my laying flock. I just don't have the space to that many types of feed. I am fermenting their scratch grains and they love them. Once my batch of CX are done maybe I will use the troughs to feed FF to the layers. I also wish I had bought more fencing for the run. Perhaps during the winter Santa will bring me some electric moveable poultry fencing. But I find some relaxation in raising poultry. I enjoy the challenges and the rewards. And there is always something to learn. I thank all of you for you knowledge, insights, and opinions. It is a great experience to share here.