Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[beverly evans]

I was re-arranging the deep littler one day from where they scratch it all to one side and every time I re-arrange their masterpiece they put it right back like they want it and when they do it looks like a dust storm and the water gets filled with litter. One day I sat it up on a rubbermaid tote that's used as a nest and I've left it there and it finally stays clean! They just hop up there to get a drink.

I use round garden pavers and as they grow taller I add another paver, so the food and water are always growing with them and staying out of the litter.

 

[beverly evans]

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Great idea, even looks cool!

 

[beverly evans]

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Duck eggs are great but ducks aren't. They muck up the chicken's feed and the water and cause a lot of waste. On their own they seem doable or if you have a very large area where they eat in one place, swim way away from the food and roosts, etc,. As a hobby don't think you will even ever break even. It ain't gonna happen! In Ron's case he can sell enough eggs and dressed out chickens to maybe make a profit. When I began this adventure I saved all my receipts to see how much it was costing me. It became appaulling how much it was all costing even with recycled stuff for the coops. I eventually didn't want to know. It was embarrassing. I've sold about 5 doz. eggs to the university boys who live next door for $3 each....a drop in the proverbial bucket. I hope to sell some of my "mutts" when they hatch, if anyone is silly enough to want them this time of the year. lol : )

 

[beverly evans]

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Hi Ron, It sounds just like I figured. I think maybe you know a lot about dogs. I have a large pit bull who guards my chickens. I have only one predator that bothers my birds, hawks. We have 3 different kinds and they are very acclimated to people, will swoop down and take a full grown hen from in front of your feet and carry her off! My pit ran to my hen's alarm cry and jumped into the air to try to get a hawk after scaring it off of her. But he sleeps on the job and I don't think he is aware enough. He keeps wild birds and squirrels out of the yard too. He lets the chicks walk all over him, scratch and look for bugs in his fur. Are "Aussies", Australian shepherds, those with the spotted coats? And they are like the Pyrennes that become part of their flock and stay with them at all times? How hard are they to train? I would like to have that assurance (or insurance!) that when I wasn't there watching they could still free range because a dog was watching after them. Sure would be nice. I'll end up with about 20 birds. THX : )

 

[hellbender]

Duck eggs are great but ducks aren't. They muck up the chicken's feed and the water and cause a lot of waste. On their own they seem doable or if you have a very large area where they eat in one place, swim way away from the food and roosts, etc,. As a hobby don't think you will even ever break even. It ain't gonna happen! In Ron's case he can sell enough eggs and dressed out chickens to maybe make a profit. When I began this adventure I saved all my receipts to see how much it was costing me. It became appaulling how much it was all costing even with recycled stuff for the coops. I eventually didn't want to know. It was embarrassing. I've sold about 5 doz. eggs to the university boys who live next door for $3 each....a drop in the proverbial bucket. I hope to sell some of my "mutts" when they hatch, if anyone is silly enough to want them this time of the year. lol : )

You have to consider too...being an 'only child', I had the infrastructure handed to me as well as breeding stock that had been production-bred for decades. Also, most of the public buyers were already in place as well as some of the commercial accounts.

In this area, and elsewhere I'm sure, there is a rather large cottage industry (in home) of cake bakers that are used for all kinds of occasions. These folks wouldn't put a Walmart egg or any other store bought egg in their products.

 

[hellbender]

Hi Ron, It sounds just like I figured. I think maybe you know a lot about dogs. I have a large pit bull who guards my chickens. I have only one predator that bothers my birds, hawks. We have 3 different kinds and they are very acclimated to people, will swoop down and take a full grown hen from in front of your feet and carry her off! My pit ran to my hen's alarm cry and jumped into the air to try to get a hawk after scaring it off of her. But he sleeps on the job and I don't think he is aware enough. He keeps wild birds and squirrels out of the yard too. He lets the chicks walk all over him, scratch and look for bugs in his fur. Are "Aussies", Australian shepherds, those with the spotted coats? And they are like the Pyrennes that become part of their flock and stay with them at all times? How hard are they to train? I would like to have that assurance (or insurance!) that when I wasn't there watching they could still free range because a dog was watching after them. Sure would be nice. I'll end up with about 20 birds. THX : )

Australian Cattle dogs. Not one of the usual guardian dog breeds but In my opinion, likely the smartest breed. (Not wanting to start a quarrel about dog breeds, lol). Hawks have never been allowed to get a foot hold around here for some unknown reason.

The ACD's are extremely easy to train but I didn't actually do any training...I took a chance that they MIGHT work well for this job and I lucked out. The Patterdales kill the usual suspects that come in the night, even though the birds are always locked in tight. The mere presence of the ACD's with the flock deters whatever might threaten during the day but they have taken coons. They have taken more woodchucks than I ever thought existed here and while they aren't a problem for chickens, their holes can cause problems with cattle and horses that graze part of my property.

 

[BCMaraniac]

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Great looking dogs! I had an Australian Blue Heeler who was so smart.....lost her at age 16, and didn't have chickens then. She was so smart. I do have an Australian Shepherd now, and she watches out for the chickens. She and my Great Pyr bark at the crows and hawks that fly over(but not the geese...go figure). When they start barking, the roosters gather in the flock to a hiding place. It is quite amazing to see them. Now my other, younger great Pyr is another matter. The only bird I have lost to a predator was to her. She got out and promptly went and killed one of four youngsters. Unfortunately she not only killed it, she began eating it, so I am quite sure she will do it again if given the opportunity. My other great Pyr hasn't killed any predators to my knowledge, but my Aussie has killed three 'possums this year.

 

[beverly evans]

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THX for the info. ACD are known to be one of, if not the, smartest of dogs. I read in a breeds book. I may look into getting one. Cute dogs, are these yours? : )

 

[hellbender]

Thanks...yes, they're mine.

 

[armorfirelady]

The ACD's are extremely easy to train but I didn't actually do any training...I took a chance that they MIGHT work well for this job and I lucked out. The Patterdales kill the usual suspects that come in the night, even though the birds are always locked in tight. The mere presence of the ACD's with the flock deters whatever might threaten during the day but they have taken coons. They have taken more woodchucks than I ever thought existed here and while they aren't a problem for chickens, their holes can cause problems with cattle and horses that graze part of my property.

Beautiful dogs. I have a blue heeler cattle dog mix and she is the best dog we have ever had. To smart for her own good (she leaps counter tops with a single bound when home alone) but so easy to train & stays by me 24/7. She is the only dog I can trust off leash camping to stay on site & to come when she is called. I want to work with her with the hens. She used to chase them but the electric netting cured her of that. I can leave the gate to the coop open and she lays outside it ignoring the birds but I want to trust her in the area with me and still ignore them.

Lily is on the left. When I get another dog it will be a blue heeler puppy