Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[Beekissed]

TW, have you checked your chicken's stool since feeding the flax seed? I had added some last winter just to see what would happen, if anything, but found flax seed being passed through the digestive system undigested and expelled in the feces. As the FF is already increasing the Omega-3 of the regular grains, I don't know how much is being accomplished by adding the flax, particularly if it is not being ground up in the gizzard due to being too small, too slick and too hard to be penetrated by the fluid of the FF. Are you adding ground flax or the whole seed?

 

[KelsiNS]

You will love the results you see in your bird's feathers! And the crossbeak might surprise you too. Good luck!

I have the same mentality as my great grandpa-no skinny animals.

 

[Triple Willow]

TW, have you checked your chicken's stool since feeding the flax seed?  I had added some last winter just to see what would happen, if anything, but found flax seed being passed through the digestive system undigested and expelled in the feces.  As the FF is already increasing the Omega-3 of the regular grains, I don't know how much is being accomplished by adding the flax, particularly if it is not being ground up in the gizzard due to being too small, too slick and too hard to be penetrated by the fluid of the FF.  Are you adding ground flax or the whole seed?

I'm adding whole seeds. I haven't found any in their stool. It has so many health benefits I would grind it if I needed to. I do grind it when I eat it. I haven't been eating it regularly for a while but I am about to start back to see if it will help my aches and pains.

 

[BCMaraniac]

I wonder if the fishy tasting eggs come from birds fed a feed with fishmeal in it...? I feed my birds 10% flax seeds and I can't tell any difference in the taste. Flax is really great for birds as well as people! It is a wonderful source of Omega-3's. I figure I am helping my birds out healthwise AND reaping the benefits myself from their eggs. I wish I knew of a place (university maybe) that would do comparative nutrient tests on things like eggs. I am going to get some other people to try my eggs and see if they taste anything different. I agree, fishy tasting eggs...YUCK! lol

Flax info... http://www.m.webmd.com/diet/features/benefits-of-flaxseed

My guess is that the commercial egg producers use fishmeal.......most likely due to cost.....vs flaxseed.

I eat a cereal that has flaxseed call Uncle Sam's cereal, so I guess I am getting my Omega-3's but my chickens aren't. Only problem with that cereal is that the whole flaxseeds end up and the bottom of the bowl.....and the bottom of the box!

 

[Lacy Blues]

@TexasLisa... To me waiting on one to start laying is just as exciting as waiting on one to hatch out.

Yours must be getting close! There are 8 roosters in my young bunch and they have just now started to act out. Well actually it is just two of them causing problems - the white leghorn and the ancona. They are bullies let me tell ya! And what gets me, they are the scrawniest of the whole group. Now they have ganged up on a Delaware roo and keep him hid out in a nest! I have a feeling the little thugs will have to have living quarters to themselves. I don't know what happened in the past couple days to turn them on the Delaware roo but I think he stood up to one of them which none of the rest do. The leghorn has always tried to start fights. It crossed my mind to let the big roo give them an attitude adjustment. lol I tell you, the Buckeye roos are sweethearts and I'm liking their looks.

Be careful putting an older rooster in with the younger, hormone overloaded boys. If your boys are younger, go for it, he will keep them in line. If they're older, you can try it but really watch them as they may gang up on your older boy... particularly a Buckeye. They are so very laid back and the Mediterranean breeds are throw-backs by the game fighters. They'll fight and fight hard but not hard enough to kill or to their own death but they are quite aggressive... mostly bullies I think. If a bird was to stand up to them, they'd probably run the other direction... particularly if they are younger. My older boys are very easy going. They don't even worry about the boy in the next pen (usually, unless he is a new arrival) and just go about their own business.

 

[Chad Cool]

I got me some Red Rangers on Friday 12 Each. I plan on butchering around 12 weeks. Pray for me.

 

[Beekissed]

Will do...take pics of progress and let us know how things go? Should be educational!

 

[Triple Willow]

Be careful putting an older rooster in with the younger, hormone overloaded boys.  If your boys are younger, go for it, he will keep them in line.  If they're older, you can try it but really watch them as they may gang up on your older boy... particularly a Buckeye.  They are so very laid back and the Mediterranean breeds are throw-backs by the game fighters.  They'll fight and fight hard but not hard enough to kill or to their own death but they are quite aggressive... mostly bullies I think.  If a bird was to stand up to them, they'd probably run the other direction... particularly if they are younger.  My older boys are very easy going.  They don't even worry about the boy in the next pen (usually, unless he is a new arrival) and just go about their own business.

Yeah it just crossed my mind. I have a feeling they would gang up on the older roo too. About the only way they could hurt anybody would be by biting but they sure have the bluff on everybody. The older roo (Australorp) is a little over 7 months old and the youngsters are 17 weeks. I think he could handle them well right now. Yeah the Buckeyes are laid back. I hope the pullets lay fairly well because I do like the breed. This dang Leghorn roo has been challenging the other birds for several weeks. Usually the only one that would stand up to him was the Ancona. Now they are buddies which is bad news. I'm probably going to have to take them out for a little while and "reset" the pecking order. Hopefully they will forget their beef with the Delaware roo. I believe I saw him standing up to the Leghorn roo the other day. I guess that didn't go so well, poor boy. lol

 

[Triple Willow]

@Lacy Blues... which breed do you have, Leghorns?

 

[Triple Willow]

I got me some Red Rangers on Friday 12 Each. I plan on butchering around 12 weeks. Pray for me.

Good luck to you Chad. Saying a prayer for you!