Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[foreverlearning]

A little off topic, but do you guys know what is wrong with an egg that makes it look like a little cracked corn is in the white? I am trying to help someone on another post and can't find anything for them. Here is the link if you just want to chime in over there:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/819630/egg-issue#post_11914690

Edited to say:
Never mind, I found the problem. It was a meat spot but she didn't have a picture and I couldn't seem to picture corn in an egg in my head. I threw a few pictures at her and she finally found one that looked like it.

 

[Demosthine]

I used to know someone who had a milk allergy that way.  He was scary without milk.

I wonder if a milk craving could be satisfied by a good calcium supplement?  just a thought.

Have you ever had her blood tested to see what she is missing? In rare cases it is caused by a hormone deficiency so they can't process the protein properly. If it is, they can tell next time they run a blood test for anything they could just add it to the list. Keep in mind the deficiency is really rare so it may not be the cause, but you never know.

I try to make sure she gets the additional nutrients like extra vegetables. Green beans, peas, kale, asparagus, garlic.

We've had two blood tests that were supposed to be the most complex she could order, for hormones and nutrients. It was about eight vials, so they took a large sample. Both times came back great. We'll be scheduling another one at her next well check in October.

There is some other food item causing problems still, but our insurance stopped covering the Alcats test right before we got it approved by the Doctor. They went to do the billing for the appointment at it was rejected as non-billable. We don't have the $500-700 to pay out of pocket at the moment, either. Stupid insurance has gotten significantly worse since the Affordable Healthcare Act was passed.

 

[foreverlearning]

I try to make sure she gets the additional nutrients like extra vegetables. Green beans, peas, kale, asparagus, garlic.

We've had two blood tests that were supposed to be the most complex she could order, for hormones and nutrients. It was about eight vials, so they took a large sample. Both times came back great. We'll be scheduling another one at her next well check in October.

There is some other food item causing problems still, but our insurance stopped covering the Alcats test right before we got it approved by the Doctor. They went to do the billing for the appointment at it was rejected as non-billable. We don't have the $500-700 to pay out of pocket at the moment, either. Stupid insurance has gotten significantly worse since the Affordable Healthcare Act was passed.

I am sorry to hear that. I would suggest going the old fashion way and withdrawing one item at a time for 2 weeks but she sounds like she'll get what she wants anyway so very hard to do with her. With the things in food now a days there is no telling what it could be. All you can do is what you are doing.

 

[AVintageLife]

They went out every day to collect and use the fresh eggs, milk the cows and allow the cream to separate overnight. The next day they made fresh butter, yogurt and sour cream with it, or used the churned cream (aka buttermilk) to make fresh, hot biscuits for breakfast. They picked the fresh fruit and vegetables from the gardens every afternoon for dinner. And then they still had time to sit down for some good ol' fashioned family time in front of the dial radio...

Oh, to be able to go back to that lifestyle without working my life away just to own an average sized house...

So true! One of the best things about having my chickens is the kids get to see/appreciate where their food comes from (they are 23 and 15). I made homemade butter last weekend to go with my own grown corn on the cob and they thought I was nuts until they tasted it. I can tomatoes, pickles, jams and our meals & desserts are made from scratch, real ingredients instead of boxed stuff with things you can't pronounce. I hope the kids learn to do the same when they have their own families.

 

[mlowen]

Somebody posted a link to a temporary fence made from 2x4 lumber with a cross brace at the bottom and a wooden turn latch at the top to just hold the fencing material against the wood. It is being sold by a company, I believe. I cannot find it again, to save my life, so I'm asking in every thread I subscribe to. If you posted it or saw it, please direct me to it, again. Thanks so much!

 

[Triple Willow]

You folks that grow meal worms for your birds, can you point me to some real short and to the point instructions on how to do it? I have read about the three drawer system (that sounds good to e) and I have read about doing it all in one container. Which do you think is best? Thank you!

 

[Demosthine]

I use a single glass aquarium and it's worked well. The best "simple" guide is the one in the Feeding section of the Learning Center above. The three drawer method was too complicated for my tastes. I keep the KISS method. Keep It Simple, Stupid!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-to-raise-mealworms

 

[ChocolateMouse]

I don't like raising meal worms... Too much oats, not enough stuff I can get for free. :| I raise red wiggler earthworms instead.

Also, good news! My CX's FINALLY decided to eat some GRASS today! I was SO pleased! I moved them into a new (taller because they keep trying to fly) tractor and they went to town on the green vegetation after about 20 minutes of being confused.

 

[Triple Willow]

I don't like raising meal worms... Too much oats, not enough stuff I can get for free. :| I raise red wiggler earthworms instead.

I was going to feed some red worms to my birds then I was reading that gape worm in chickens is caused by those type worms. So I pretty much changed my mind on it. Maybe I'm just overly paranoid.

 

[maryhysong]

I was going to feed some red worms to my birds then I was reading that gape worm in chickens is caused by those type worms. So I pretty much changed my mind on it. Maybe I'm just overly paranoid.

Possible if you live where gape worms are a problem. However, if your birds are out ranging they are eating earthworms and lots of other bugs anyway.