Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[RachaelS]

Quote:

Got it now, LOL!!!

 

[waltandlori]

I have a question Of "you ladies of wisdom", I have these 25 meaties and am feeding them 12 on 12 off, with starter grower. They like to take the skin off my fingers before I can get it in the tractor/brooder lol. I'm about to start with FF as well, so the question is how do you judge how much feed to put in there? with the crumbles you just keep on filling it til 12 hours are up, is it the same with FF? I'm not sure how much protein is in "fingers" but if I'm not careful they will be well fed... This my 2nd year with meatys, 15 last year and supposed to be 30 this year but 7 0r 8 croaked and 1 has a bad leg, these birds are weird, like spooky unnatural they more than quadrupled in size in 3 weeks. they ain't right.

Walt

 

[TexasLisa]

Okay my ladies of wisdom, I am out of dryer sheets. I don't want to go into town just to buy some. Any suggestions on alternatives that will keep static out of my clothes and make them soft?

I have been reading about Wool Dryer Balls. Check this out:

http://www.diynatural.com/how-to-make-wool-dryer-balls/


TW: I bought the ingredients for the laundry soap. That is as far as I have gone for now.

Lisa

 

[Triple Willow]

I have a question Of "you ladies of wisdom", I have these 25 meaties and am feeding them 12 on 12 off, with starter grower. They like to take the skin off my fingers before I can get it in the tractor/brooder lol. I'm about to start with FF as well, so the question is how do you judge how much feed to put in there? with the crumbles you just keep on filling it til 12 hours are up, is it the same with FF? I'm not sure how much protein is in "fingers" but if I'm not careful they will be well fed... This my 2nd year with meatys, 15 last year and supposed to be 30 this year but 7 0r 8 croaked and 1 has a bad leg, these birds are weird, like spooky unnatural they more than quadrupled in size in 3 weeks. they ain't right.

Walt           ​

Walt I haven't done meaties so I ought to just be quiet but somebody will be along to answer you soon. Are you free ranging at all?

 

[RachaelS]

Quote: Thanks Lisa! They even have the info on vinegar. Okay, back to cleaning the car in this cool weather, it is only 84 outside, I LOVE it!!!!

 

[waltandlori]

Not yet acclimating to outside temps, was in the 40's last night just about 65 right now so heat lamp is lit just for heating the air in the garage. They are not feathered all the way. They were out the other day when it was almost 80, just didn't know what to do lol. I'll probably keep them in the tractor and keep moving it. My hens free range all the time, out at 7 in at dark.

Walt

 

[ChocolateMouse]

TW; I absolutely did and it was a pain and I learned quite a bit about scalding let me tell you! I will know much more for scalding my chickens now when the time comes from having scalded a whole (if little) pig...! Since we were cooking and presenting it with it's head on and stitching up the belly with onions and oranges inside we needed the skin on.

 

[Triple Willow]

Not yet acclimating to outside temps, was in the 40's last night just about 65 right now so heat lamp is lit just for heating the air in the garage. They are not feathered all the way. They were out the other day when it was almost 80, just didn't know what to do lol. I'll probably keep them in the tractor and keep moving it. My hens free range all the time, out at 7 in at dark.

Walt

Where is that Bee when you need her... Personally, I would switch them to fermented feed asap and start them out on 3 feedings/day - all they can clean up in 15 minutes. I'd also cut back the light during the day unless it got too cool. Of course small chicks need the heat but I don't think they need it as hot as long as is generally practiced. You don't want to cause them to get pasty butt or sick but I think they feather out quicker when they are kept a little cooler after that first couple weeks. Bee said that she had good luck with making them free range all day then only feeding them at night, all they can clean up in 15 minutes. They will grow a little slower that way but you won't have as many health problems with them (leg problems, ascites, etc).

Keep in mind that I haven't done meaties, this is just what I have learned on this thread... so better advise will come. lol if you need to kickstart some ff you can add some buttermilk and in 12 hours it should be going good.

 

[waltandlori]

I have already have shut the light off during the days and leave the windows open, I just think it may be a littlle to cold to send their naked bods outside when it's just over 60. The feeding schedule you talked about sounds reasonable, they are feathering pretty quick. I have to go to town tomorrow to get feed etc (human feed too) so I'll see if I can pick up some acv. I didn't have any problems last year didn't loose any chick at all, this year weeellll, I'm gonna blame it on the USPS and the hatchery lol. The only new thing will be the FF.

 

[LOVEIGEE]

I think it's a lot different as a fertilized egg is not progressed toward being a chick and will not do so unless incubated. A perfectly good chick growing... and then boiling it to death in the shell... is a big step beyond eating a fertilized egg.

I just couldn't do it...

Dang...can't even find a smiley for the thought of that......agreed BF......