Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[Windy Bay Farm]

Hi Windy Bay Farm! I just noticed your avatar.  In the background, is that your watering system?

That's the watering system that I was hoping to use but they don't seem to catch onto it too easily. I unhooked it for now and am just using a gravity fed waterer. I'm planning to hook the cups up again real soon but just haven't had the chance to do it. I'm going to hook it up for a few days and see if I can somehow make them catch onto using it. I also have a 5 gallon bucket hanging in the run with 3 nipple waterers attached to it. They use it all the time.

 

[BCMaraniac]

Thanks, TW ! I'm starting to think the same thing ! I was hoping I would have at least one roo outta the bunch, dang it ! Lol

I didn't know anybody HOPED for a roo.....lol. They all look like pullets to me, too.

 

[Windy Bay Farm]

I didn't know anybody HOPED for a roo.....lol.  They all look like pullets to me, too.

I like the idea of having one around... They usually make good flock protectors and in general they take care of their "ladies". I surely don't want more than one.. But one would be nice

 

[Windy Bay Farm]

If any are a roo.. I think it may be this one. Just judging by the comb... Then again, it's iffy. Time will tell I guess. Anyone know what age they generally start crowing if they're a roo, 5-6 months old perhaps ?

 

[BCMaraniac]

I like the idea of having one around... They usually make good flock protectors and in general they take care of their "ladies". I surely don't want more than one.. But one would be nice

I know...lol....same here. I bought a pair of Lavender Orpingtons so that I would have a rooster for my flock of layers, and he takes that job very seriously. I have actually seen him pick up blackberries and take them to one of the girls and drop it in front of them instead of eating it himself......wonder if he had ulterior motives??hmmmm

 

[BCMaraniac]

If any are a roo.. I think it may be this one. Just judging by the comb... Then again, it's iffy. Time will tell I guess. Anyone know what age they generally start crowing if they're a roo, 5-6 months old perhaps ?

Mine have generally all been crowing by 16 weeks. To me, the legs on that one look to short to be a roo.....

 

[Windy Bay Farm]

I know...lol....same here.  I bought a pair of Lavender Orpingtons so that I would have a rooster for my flock of layers, and he takes that job very seriously.  I have actually seen him pick up blackberries and take them to one of the girls and drop it in front of them instead of eating it himself......wonder if he had ulterior motives??hmmmm

A man taking gifts to a lady usually always has ulterior motives LOL.

 

[Triple Willow]

My roo is VERY good to his ladies but me and him have had a run in or two over those ladies. Normally. He gives me plenty of room when I'm in the coop but when I upset his ladies he will protect them against me. We are working on that! And the other day when that new chick had hatched out, he got me before I got in the door good. But me and the roo never had a problem until I started fanning a plastic feed bowl trying to make them move so I could get the feed in the feeder. I fan the plastic feeder and whoever gets hit needs to MOVE! LOL Well they squawk when they get hit and roo gets upset! I appreciate that he loves his ladies and wants to protect them but...

The gray barred pullet (pic in above post) that I was telling y'all about how all the roosters fell in love with her - I had them out yesterday and he bred her three times in like 15 minutes and didn't even bother with the other pullets! I guess he has fell for her too. lol

One of my 18 week old Buckeye roos just started crowing today but the Leghorn and Ancona roos of the same age have probably been crowing for a month. I love to hear them crow... well usually. I was out a little while ago and two roosters were crowing AND the dog was barking nonstop! Ahhhh...!

 

[Windy Bay Farm]

Mine have generally all been crowing by 16 weeks.  To me, the legs on that one look to short to be a roo.....

Well mine are about 19 weeks or so now and no crowing out of anyone. When I took the pic the chicken was hunched down a bit so it doesn't portray how tall he/she actually is. However, you may be right ... It may be a pullet, not sure.

 

[BCMaraniac]

Well mine are about 19 weeks or so now and no crowing out of anyone. When I took the pic the chicken was hunched down a bit so it doesn't portray how tall he/she actually is. However, you may be right ... It may be a pullet, not sure.

All of my roosters could be seen stretching out their necks like they were crowing and opening their mouths, but no sound coming out.....kinda like they were warming up. That was usually 12-14 weeks