Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[Beekissed]

I need to get rid of the layer and grower so I can just feed the animals the layer. Or, just buy grower from now on. Having 3 buckets is a royal pain, but I figure as long as I have them separated, I will keep it that way. Dunno when that starter will run out. I'll probably add it to the layer once I have chicks that are old enough to eat it.

I feed starter until it's gone or for two weeks, whatever comes first...then every single bird is on layer rations.

 

[flyinchicks]

Got a question! Are you folks pulling those buckets apart a lot? If so, can I ask why? I think I'm missing something....

I drain mine everyday before feeding. When I go to feed in the morning the water has usually soaked up on the top but about 3" down is very wet. I hang the top bucket on a chain for @30 min then take it down to the pen to feed. I am getting a good ferment (it smeels good anyway). The food when served is very moist but no standing water. I leave all the liquid that is in the bottom bucket add feed and more water. Now I feel like I'm missing something. I thought I copied you exactly. hmmm

 

[Beekissed]

The only time I ever took the buckets apart was when I was feeding out 50 meaties. Had to drain off a little because I was dishing so much out of the bucket that I was running into the water with my scoops. Trust me, if I still had to drain a 5 gal. bucket out each day, it would be done at the coop and not from the house.

When I first started this, I was draining off feed because I had to empty almost that whole bucket in a day's time on meaties but still retain enough of the fermented water in the bottom bucket to inoculate the bucket full of fresh feed that was being added. All that water was very valuable and full of the rich cultures. I had to ferment almost a whole 5 gal. bucket of fresh feed by the next day but I really wanted it to be a rich ferment.

Does that make any sense?

Now that I'm only feeding 10 birds, I just mix my feed thicker and I'm not feeding my whole bucket of feed each day, my feed gets to sit longer in the fermented water and cook well. I don't need to drain it to avoid feeding out my good cultures in a soupy feed...I can just mix it to my desired thickness and feed it like that. Got plenty of rich fermented water now to go around, so I don't drain it off at all. Just keep less soup in the bucket.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I did it, I ordered my first round of new layers, 15 baby chicks!! Had a long discussion with DH's cousin, a poultry fanatic of 40 years..I got the name of a well known and respected hatchery for my australorps very near us. They wil be here the 19th!

I have been gathering supplies for building the hoop coops, and plan to have 1 set up in a few weeks. The babies will live in the heated garage till they are ready to be outside am guessing it will be 3 months. So, they can start off on FF, should it be non medicated starter? any thoughts/opinions welcome, so excited!

 

[Beekissed]

Non medicated, most definitely. The fermented feed holds all the qualities you will need to protect them from cocci overgrowth. Great breed you have chosen and I don't think you will be a bit disappointed in it. They are one of my favorites! Keep us posted about the progress? It always helps me to take weekly pics to chart their growth cycles.

 

[Mountain Momma]

I did it, I ordered my first round of new layers, 15 baby chicks!! Had a long discussion with DH's cousin, a poultry fanatic of 40 years..I got the name of a well known and respected hatchery for my australorps very near us. They wil be here the 19th!

I have been gathering supplies for building the hoop coops, and plan to have 1 set up in a few weeks. The babies will live in the heated garage till they are ready to be outside am guessing it will be 3 months. So, they can start off on FF, should it be non medicated starter? any thoughts/opinions welcome, so excited!

Who is the breeder?

Gotta tell you, DH made a chicken joke tonight. I had a pan of all the food the kids would not eat at dinner and the rest that was in the cooker. I said "I think I'm just going to give all this to the chickens" and he said "good. Do you want me to take this down to the chickens right now- tonight?" Which is code for "can you handle the dishes I dont want to get dry hands" I was like sure, they are asleep they can get it first thing in the morning. He said...."Well, what if one of them is a night owl?" lol.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Thank you! I have been reading on breeds for months. I told my DH's cousin my choices, BA, BO and JG. He said the jerseys are very slow to mature, but the BA and orps are good choices. I want a large friendly bird. I do plan to get lavender orps in the spring too, they will be my "pretty birds" and my project. I spoke to the Hinks family thru email and plan to get his line. Very exciting! His birds are just stunning.

 

[Mountain Momma]

Thank you! I have been reading on breeds for months. I told my DH's cousin my choices, BA, BO and JG. He said the jerseys are very slow to mature, but the BA and orps are good choices. I want a large friendly bird. I do plan to get lavender orps in the spring too, they will be my "pretty birds" and my project. I spoke to the Hinks family thru email and plan to get his line. Very exciting! His birds are just stunning.

Can you post some pics and an email address? My late bloomer Americaunas started laying this week and the color of their eggs is really great. Better than the early birds by far. I thought that was interesting. All came from the same hatchery too.
L

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

here is what my ff looks like...2 weeks in to it. It is laying mash, mixed with some scratch, mother acv from w-mart, a sprinkle of baking yeast. They gobble it right up, although they have slowed down these past few days. Daylight hours getting shorter, I think.

 

[Reurra]

What is ACV with mother in it? What does it look like? Just to be sure we are talking about a form of Apple Cider Vinegar? How can i tell if it has "mother" in it? Im looking to start a meat bird operation in the spring, so Im very interested to know what to do properly.