Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[Kassaundra]

Found this post over on another thread and I'm still scratching my head as to how this could be, the birds were malnourished ??? I can't understand if this person is doing exactly what they say they are then how can the results be what they are plus malnourished ?? I'm confused.


I received the results on my 3 necropsied birds that I brought to the UMaine Animal Health Lab in Orono. The vet at the lab also called to discuss them. I have to say I'm disappointed...in myself. Bird 1 had mites. Bird 2 had extensive severe peritonitis. Bird 3 had worms and coccidosis. All showed signs of malnutrition. I could have cried when I read that!! I ferment my feed, mix BOSS, flax seed & alfalfa pellets in with it. Let them free range when I can. They were getting leftover veggies from the local healthfood store and leftovers from our kitchen. I put ACV w/mother in their water. My husband constantly says those birds eat better than he does. I had treated everyone for mites & worms several weeks ago. Did 2 extensive coop clean outs. They said all 3 birds had undeveloped ovary and oviduct and would have probably never laid eggs.

They recommended:
1. test a fecal sample for parasites in the remaining birds
2. Don't ferment it; feed as instructed on the label. this is really important. Check your feed for freshness.
3. Add a vitamin mix to one of the waterers, follow label instructions.
4. Be sure to have enough feeder and waterer space and EXTRA so that low-ranking birds can all get feed and water simultaneous with the high-ranking ones.
5. Be sure your birds have grit/fine gravel so their gizzards can work.
6. Keep coops/housing clean, well-bedded and adequately ventilated in winter, so you don't notice an ammonia smell.
7. Get a copy of the Chicken health Handbook by Gail Damerow; useful info!
8. Weigh your birds, records results and send to the lab.

I have 2 waterers for 15 birds 1 in the pen & 1 in the coop. They said to add another one. I think I have enough feeder space with a small 2 cup dish, a 12 x 12 dish, and the 5’ gutter feeder in the pen. I also have three 7 cup PVC pipe feeders in the coop for dry feed.

I saw that post on the other thread too.

 

[BCMaraniac]

Wanted to tell you all I hope you have a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving!!!! Don't eat too much turkey.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving RoseMarie, and everyone else here. I won't eat too much turkey, but chicken?? That's an entirely different matter(the family wants chicken instead of turkey).

 

[Lacy Blues]

Someone mentioned crossing Delawares with Buckeyes. Then the wonderful flavor of the Buckeye was just described for us. I had Delawares last year and I was truly very impressed with the flavor. You may definitely have a winner on your hands crossing these two hefty breeds!

 

[Beekissed]

I guess I just have an undiscerning pallet because I've had many different breeds of chickens in my lifetime but found they all pretty much taste the same from one breed to another...they taste just like chicken. The only time I've been able to discern a change in the flavor of the meat from one bird to the next is due to age, lifestyle and diet, but never by the breed.

 

[Triple Willow]

How old are the eggs? This is one of those times where fresher isn't better. Two weeks or older works best.

The deviled eggs I made were with store bought eggs.

 

[BCMaraniac]

I guess I just have an undiscerning pallet because I've had many different breeds of chickens in my lifetime but found they all pretty much taste the same from one breed to another...they taste just like chicken. The only time I've been able to discern a change in the flavor of the meat from one bird to the next is due to age, lifestyle and diet, but never by the breed.

I am sure your palate is just fine, Bee. I finally ate a Marans this past weekend....it was delicious. He was a capon slip, but a rooster for all practical purposes. He was one of my first attempts so I ended up only removing one testicle because he was bleeding. He was 8 months old, I guess. There were 4 of them all together, so I had some for the freezer. I swapped them out for the roasters that I am baking on Thanksgiving. I have an indoor turkey fryer, and I am seriously considering deep frying one of them.

 

[Triple Willow]

I think you are right.  If I get Buckeyes, the cross would be a project for 2015.  I ate Marans for the first time this past weekend.....a virtually intact male(caponization gone awry in my very first attempts), nearly 8 months old, and it was delicious.  And the broth.....oh my goodness was it rich and flavorful.  I knew they were supposed to be good meat birds, but I was blown away.  I can't wait to try a capon.  I know it sounds crazy to be planning to breed the birds without ever having eaten one.    My decision to breed them for meat was from reading, and observing the meatiness of my hens.  I guess it was a good choice, judging by the flavor of the one I had over the weekend.

How did you cook it? It wasn't tough at all? Sounds finger licking good! I am anxious to get some more in the freezer.

 

[BCMaraniac]

The deviled eggs I made were with store bought eggs.

I think the protein in the egg white of the store bought eggs is weaker and more fragile than the farm raised eggs. I find that the boiled egg white of the farm raised eggs are firmer.....but I have no scientific evidence of that....just an observation.

 

[Triple Willow]

very pretty

Thank you Rose. You have a great Thanksgiving too! Hope you are feeling better, miss you around here.

 

[BCMaraniac]

How did you cook it? It wasn't tough at all? Sounds finger licking good!

I am anxious to get some more in the freezer.

I stewed two whole carcasses, then deboned them. I cut the flesh across the grain into relatively small pieces because I was expecting some stringiness. The dark meat was used to make chicken noodle soup, and the white meat I used to make chicken salad. The soup disappeared....it was supposed to go into the fridge to reheat for quick meals while I am getting ready for Thanksgiving.....but it didn't work out that way.