Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[DaveMorey]

So here is one of the boys I decided to keep. I think he is a fine looking gentleman. He is the smaller of the two I decided to keep.

 

[DaveMorey]

I've been wondering if lights will make predators say, "Hey look over there, let's go check that out!" or could it possibly help keep them away?

I have grey foxes come right into my yard to eat bird seed while the porch lights are on and even while I am sitting there. I don't think they make a difference either way.

 

[armorfirelady]

Since we are discussing greens and forage crops I might as well ask this now. I think I have seen in this thread that some folks use alfalfa in their ff. Please correct me if I am wrong. If this is the case, where do you normally get it and is it chopped? I can only imagine that it would have to be in order for the birds to eat it. If I am way off base let me know. Also, how do you go about fermenting pumpkins? It is that time of year and I would like to make use of excess pumpkins I can find. I did feed my birds the guts from a fresh pumpkin tonight, much to their delight. I just shredded the stuff to make it more manageable for them.

I buy alfalfa pullets (usually in rabbit section) and throw a handful in the ff. girls eat it right up. I tried the little alfalfa cubes but was time consuming to hydrate them pellets are much easier

 

[Beekissed]

Since we are discussing greens and forage crops I might as well ask this now. I think I have seen in this thread that some folks use alfalfa in their ff. Please correct me if I am wrong. If this is the case, where do you normally get it and is it chopped? I can only imagine that it would have to be in order for the birds to eat it. If I am way off base let me know. Also, how do you go about fermenting pumpkins? It is that time of year and I would like to make use of excess pumpkins I can find. I did feed my birds the guts from a fresh pumpkin tonight, much to their delight. I just shredded the stuff to make it more manageable for them.

You can buy pelleted alfalfa really cheap at the feed store or you can buy it in alfalfa cubes, either way it should be anywhere they sell rabbit foods and such.

I ferment my pumpkins by leaving them out in a sheltered area so they aren't getting soaked in the rain all the time. I let them freeze, thaw, freeze, thaw until all the fluid is out of them and they look like flat tires...the flesh will be a little spongy and you might see a few speckles of mold on them but nothing serious. Then I feed it that way. I think it must do a mild fermentation and be sweeter than when served fresh because livestock just LOVE them like that and my sheep would fight my chickens until it's all gone, skin and all. They won't eat them when they are fresh, but they'll eat them like candy when I serve them this way...go figure.

 

[mlowen]

Since we are discussing greens and forage crops I might as well ask this now. I think I have seen in this thread that some folks use alfalfa in their ff. Please correct me if I am wrong. If this is the case, where do you normally get it and is it chopped? I can only imagine that it would have to be in order for the birds to eat it. If I am way off base let me know. Also, how do you go about fermenting pumpkins? It is that time of year and I would like to make use of excess pumpkins I can find. I did feed my birds the guts from a fresh pumpkin tonight, much to their delight. I just shredded the stuff to make it more manageable for them.

I just throw one of the alfalfa cubes into my ff bucket and it breaks apart and "becomes one" with the feed pretty much overnight.

 

[Triple Willow]

So here is one of the boys I decided to keep. I think he is a fine looking gentleman. He is the smaller of the two I decided to keep.

Nice looking feller, nice color. I hope they work out good for you.

 

[DaveMorey]

Thank you for the alfalfa tips. I am going to look for them the next time I go to the feed store. I am looking forward to varying my laying flock diet when I switch them to ff. I wish I could switch sooner but I have to wait until my CX are done. I just don't have the space and resources to create a whole other setup right now for them. But I would like to try adding some to the CX feed for good variety since I can't free range them.

 

[Triple Willow]

I have a question for you guys. My white leghorn and ancona roosters had big combs that flopped over to one side, especially the leghorn. Now their combs are standing straight as can be. What's up with that, nutritional maybe?

 

[DaveMorey]

Nice looking feller, nice color. I hope they work out good for you.

Thank you. Any guesses on breed? They were labelled Production Reds. The hens all seem to be Red Stars.

 

[Windy Bay Farm]

Since pumpkins have been brought up, can anyone tell me, if feeding pumpkin, how often and how much should be fed to chickens ? Also, what are the benefits of feeding it ? Thanks.