Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[chubbiechicken]

I would like to see it.

 

[locoguru]

Just had a 15 minute conversation with a man in the parking lot of TSC re the benefits of FF. Started off with him looking at me like I'm a crazy woman, but he walked away with that quizzical look on his face that told me he was pondering it.

Also, quick note to all men who see a woman in the parking lot of a feed store: we very much appreciate the offers you sometimes extend to load our feed bags up for us - it really is very kind - but when a woman tells you that she's got it (even if she's wearing a dress and then proceeds to do her own loading), please refrain from looking at her like she's an alien that just landed on this planet and then offered you a million dollars. Surely such women cannot be that rare... I sit in an office most of the day. I need and enjoy the exercise! [end rant]

You are a funny funny lady! Would love to meet you in the parking lot!

 

[Beekissed]

Ok...maybe this has been covered, but does anybody think sprouting grains may be comparable. To ff? I know sprouted wheat is extremely. Healthful and that many other sprouted seeds exhibit their highest levels of nutrients at sprouting. Does anyone do both? I think I would love to try to sprout some seeds to go along with my ff. I just gave my flock a handful of my wheatgrass and they showed their most greedy selves.

If I had cooped chickens I'd do both, especially in the winter months. It's a little more fiddly than the FF but can yield increased nutrients as it's just a mild fermentation of the seed before sprouting. Since I free range my birds get that level of nutrients out on forage and I don't want to have to fool with sprouting set ups. A lot of folks do and even back in the old days they did it, to make their feed stretch.

 

[locoguru]

Bee I have not been on here long (wishing I had found BYC years ago) but you are a true gem! Smooches!

 

[Brada Puhi]

Ok...maybe this has been covered, but does anybody think sprouting grains may be comparable. To ff? I know sprouted wheat is extremely. Healthful and that many other sprouted seeds exhibit their highest levels of nutrients at sprouting. Does anyone do both? I think I would love to try to sprout some seeds to go along with my ff. I just gave my flock a handful of my wheatgrass and they showed their most greedy selves.

Sprouting is a great way to maximize the nutrients from any grain. For me though it's a lot of hassle. FF is so easy that even a lazy guy like me can do it. But I would do both, if I wanted to deal with it.(and if my wife didn't complain about all the bins I have lying around for this and that. haha.

 

[Triple Willow]

Sprouting is a great way to maximize the nutrients from any grain.  For me though it's a lot of hassle.  FF is so easy that even a lazy guy like me can do it.  But I would do both, if I wanted to deal with it.(and if my wife didn't complain about all the bins I have lying around for this and that. haha.

Hi Brada. If you ever to happen to need a chicken/house sitter, I would be more than happy to help you out. LOL I can't imagine living in such a beautiful place as you do!

 

[Beekissed]

I'm curious...anyone hatch chicks out this year from eggs of hens on FF? Was curious about those heavy, larger yolks and if the nutrition seemed higher for the chicks, yielding a stronger chick with better growth? Also was wondering about anyone hatching FF eggs that had too thick and strong of shells for the chicks to open?

 

[RoseMarie1]

I'm curious...anyone hatch chicks out this year from eggs of hens on FF? Was curious about those heavy, larger yolks and if the nutrition seemed higher for the chicks, yielding a stronger chick with better growth? Also was wondering about anyone hatching FF eggs that had too thick and strong of shells for the chicks to open?

Oh Bee that would be awesome! I want to do some when mine start laying. Whenever that is. lol I bet the chicks will be much healthier and not have pasty butt and stronger to I'm thinking! That would be soooo cool to do!

 

[skitzkle]

for those interested in how to feed the pumpkin seed and castor oil.. this is what i did. please get a pen and paper ready. this is very long and detailed.

i feed roughly 45- 50 birds they free range all day. i took 4 lbs of raw hulled pumpkin seed. put it in a bowl. then i took the castor oil and poured some on the pumpkin seed . then i stirred  enough to coat the seeds . then i put some more oil in enough to make it wet.  like a ceaser salad. after i divided into 3 bowls so everyone would get some.
tonight there is enough left over for a second feeding. this will be there ration until it is gone.

when you do this look at the combs face and waddles. before and after the feedings. mine was a shock to me .like they found the fountain of youth.

I have never used castor oil for anything! Do you use the one they advertise for skin?

 

[BirdbyGavin1103]

this subject is sensitive to women of all ages. why i don't know. a gentleman should and always will ask a woman if she needs help. it is not about can i get in your pants type of behavior. it is a respectful gesture.
a true gentleman of a younger stature will also ask an older gentleman if they can help.
i do this all the time. i do it at the mill , tsc, and the grocery store.

While I was raised to know that it has more to do with manners and a proper upbringing, most girls I had gone to school with did not have that benefit and always thought a guy was flirting when he usually was not.
It has a lot to do with society. Most people have the idea that all favors need to be repaid in someway. We (society) do not do the good deed of helping others like we once did, and many think it's still a good deed even if they expect something more than a "Thank you" in return. All comes down to the twisted morals that society has given many.
I am trying my best to raise Gavin to be a gentleman, he does hold doors for older people and will help them with anything he can lift. Which isn't much, since he's a peanut, but he tries and that's what matters. He even gets out of the vehicle to open the door for and helps my Gram in-law get in and out of the car. His general manners need a reminder more than I'd like, but he still has far better manners than most adults I know.