Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[TexasLisa]

Well, speaking of our laying hens...

My husky got to one of my girls today... My favorite of my Golden Girls, Tender. I was stupid and was in and out of the pen all morning setting it up so the new chicks would have somewhere to hide from hawks and the adult flock members in the pen and forgot to close it when I let the dogs out. She went VERY quickly and was happy when she went at least. I didn't hear anything, I just looked out and both dogs were mouthing something brown and fluffy on the ground... She had been eating grass when she went and didn't even have time to swallow it all the way... They completely crushed her rib cage and shoulders in one blow I think. I found tiny puncture marks and lots of broken ribs, not the big tear where they started to chomp on her a little. Definitely the killing bite. :\

I guess now I have a reason to try making coq au vin... If anyone has a good recipe...

It rather seemed a bit like fate, though. I was running out of space in the coop, wondering how worth while feeding all five hens through winter was and how we didn't need five eggs a day come spring... And here I have just hatched out a batch of chicks. (They are hatching right now.) Well, now I have room in my coop again, lower feed requirements through winter and I won't be getting five eggs a day anymore for sure!

I am sorry for your loss.

Lisa

 

[Triple Willow]

@ChocolateMouse... Sorry to hear that. I know how frustrating it can be.

 

[Triple Willow]

Quote:
That is what I meant 1/2 Gallon of buttermilk. I also plann on doing my FF the way you do yours.

Okay I thought that was what you meant. You will like the results you will see in your birds and they love it -and I can't keep my dog out of it when I set the bucket down. lol

 

[Beekissed]

@Bee... how is the finger today?

It's sore but it seems to have sealed up well except on one end. I call that a success! I'm trying to keep a bandage on it but I'm doing a lot of cooking, baking and such today so the hands go in the dishwater..good for it, though, to be soaked in bleach.

I'm just hoping those wound edges remain sealed when soaked in water...can't stand to see that gaping and view the tissues underneath. I can do it on everyone else's wounds but not too keen on seeing my own flesh laid open. Ick.

@Walt... my pullets just started laying the first of August at 19 weeks. Some days they lay really good and some days like you, it will be 3 eggs from 9 pullets -and yep that can be frustrating. I don't want them all laying every day but I hope they will level out one of these days to at least 6 out of 9 most days. My younger bunch should be getting started in 2-3 weeks or so. Getting that first egg was just as exciting to me as when they hatched out!

What do you guys do with your extra eggs? Sell them?

Forgot to add that all of mine layed except one yesterday- a nice surprise! First time that has happened.

This is the time of the year for the biggest slow down on laying, traditionally, so eggs are bound to be less plentiful especially when dealing with birds in their second year of production. This too shall pass and each year you'll recognize these natural slow downs and not worry about it.

I always sold my extra eggs and it can pay for feed in the peak laying seasons and also in the slow downs. This is one reason I move to cheaper feeds during the slow downs and winter months also...they don't need the rich feed and they aren't paying for it either, so it's a win/win for us both.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Thanks guys. She did give me a nice 2.5lb carcass and I know that knowing my husky she went very fast. I have one little chick in my nest right now and three more that pipped. I just have to keep reminding myself that I can't peel them out like hardboiled eggs, I have to sit on my hands and wait for them to hatch. I gave mama some of the meaty's fermented feed, extra wet, so she can stay on the nest for longer without being dehydrated or anything... Since one of the chicks popped out soooo far in advance of the rest.

Still hoping for that coq au vin recipe. ;P Sincerely. I have heard such rave reviews and none of them post a recipe....

As for my eggs, TW, I feed some to my dogs, or back to my hens if I have too many. I sell some and use a lot. I know a lady that feeds them as the main protein source to her pigs!

 

[Beekissed]

Here's five recipes from famous chefs! http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2009/09/22/quintessential-coq-au-vin-recipes.html

Let us know how it goes and how it tastes!

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Also, because I did promise...!



B&C Maran chick! The only one so far to make it out of it's shell, although there are more on the way.

I will let you know how the Coq Au Vin goes... Any particular one of those you'd suggest? :3

 

[Triple Willow]

It's sore but it seems to have sealed up well except on one end.  I call that a success!  I'm trying to keep a bandage on it but I'm doing a lot of cooking, baking and such today so the hands go in the dishwater..good for it, though, to be soaked in bleach.    I'm just hoping those wound edges remain sealed when soaked in water...can't stand to see that gaping and view the tissues underneath.  I can do it on everyone else's wounds but not too keen on seeing my own flesh laid open.  Ick. 
What's cookin??? I found a lemon pie recipe the other day that I'm going to make. Eggs sugar and lemons - gotta be good! LOL Yep about impossible to keep a bandage on that gets wet. I have used that "liquid bandage" stuff and it works well. Keep that epsom salt in mind helps the soreness.

This is the time of the year for the biggest slow down on laying, traditionally, so eggs are bound to be less plentiful especially when dealing with birds in their second year of production.  This too shall pass and each year you'll recognize these natural slow downs and not worry about it.

I always sold my extra eggs and it can pay for feed in the peak laying seasons and also in the slow downs.  This is one reason I move to cheaper feeds during the slow downs and winter months also...they don't need the rich feed and they aren't paying for it either, so it's a win/win for us both. 

Yeah I'll probably switch from oats to cracked corn or scratch to go in my winter mix. I'm also going to lower the protein a bit. I'm not sure how I will handle the extra eggs.

Have you read much on what is the best thing to grow as sprouts/fodder? I was thinking about alfalfa but I think that will be too much protein. Maybe a clover.

 

[Triple Willow]

Also, because I did promise...! B&C Maran chick! The only one so far to make it out of it's shell, although there are more on the way. I will let you know how the Coq Au Vin goes... Any particular one of those you'd suggest? :3

Ohhhh a baby, so cute. Congrats!

 

[Triple Willow]

@ChocolateMouse... very sorry your bird was killed but glad to see you're not letting it go to waste. I cooked two of mine that my dog killed several months ago. That grosses some people out but whatever...