Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[BCMaraniac]

Ahh dang it, my post just got lost in BYC Lala Land! What I said was...

Bee, I bet that is the problem, he thinks he has to guard everything in the coop - makes perfect sense. Other than jumping on me from time to time he is the perfect roo. He is never pushy with me, he stands back and gives me plenty of room even at the feeder. He stands back and waits while the pullets dive in head first. That is why it is always such a surprise when he jumps on me, it is like he come out of nowhere. LOL just maybe he's worth keeping after all. Thanks!

Bee, the Chicken Whisperer. hehe

I think mine is doing that. I think initially it was the orange bucket, because they see things very differently than humans do. He came after the bucket once, and after me once. That is when he got whacked with my feed scoop, and he has done nothing since, but I carry my scoop when I go in to feed or check for eggs and I changed the color of the feed bucket.. He gives me a very wide berth now.

 

[Triple Willow]

I think mine is doing that.  I think initially it was the orange bucket, because they see things very differently than humans do.  He came after the bucket once, and after me once.  That is when he got whacked with my feed scoop, and he has done nothing since, but I carry my scoop when I go in to feed or check for eggs and I changed the color of the feed bucket..  He gives me a very wide berth now.

I have a red water container in that pen. The other day I was taking it out the door to clean it and that crazy roo started to attack it. Every time he has attacked it has been at my hands. I'm going to have to try to figure him out.

...I have a pink feed bucket...hmmm

 

[Triple Willow]

Do they sell "camo" buckets, waterers, feed scoops...? And maybe I need to wear "camo" out there from now on...? LOL

 

[BCMaraniac]

I have a red water container in that pen. The other day I was taking it out the door to clean it and that crazy roo started to attack it. Every time he has attacked it has been at my hands. I'm going to have to try to figure him out.

...I have a pink feed bucket...hmmm

You may think I am nuts, but I do think there is something about some of the colors. Here is an article discussing the differences in vision. Their visual differences results in them being virtually blind at night:

http://mikethechickenvet.wordpress.com/2012/03/30/chicken-vision/

 

[Triple Willow]

You may think I am nuts, but I do think there is something about some of the colors.  Here is an article discussing the differences in vision.  Their visual differences results in them being virtually blind at night:

http://mikethechickenvet.wordpress.com/2012/03/30/chicken-vision/

No I don't think you're nuts at all. I have heard about them attacking different colors.

Great article.

 

[Beekissed]

I have a red water container in that pen. The other day I was taking it out the door to clean it and that crazy roo started to attack it. Every time he has attacked it has been at my hands. I'm going to have to try to figure him out.

...I have a pink feed bucket...hmmm

I have red feed and water buckets and no aggression towards them. One rooster tried to attack my brown egg basket once....once. I always have red or blue feed buckets but usually red because it's just one of my accent colors that I love. I've heard of bulls and such being agitated over red buckets but I must confess that none of my animals ever give them a second's pause.

TW, maybe a bonk on the head with that bucket would adjust his attitude!

 

[Lacy Blues]

My feed bucket is red too.

I always thought they couldn't see in the dark too but let me tell you what happened one night not too long ago.

I had put some cardboard boxes or whatever I could find and filled them with dry leaf litter and was trying to get my birds to sleep in them for warmth. I put this one pair of birds in the box and you know what? I couldn't see them at all. I had gotten them to where I thought they were settled so I snuck out of the building and shut the door. I cam back about 10 minutes later just to check and the hen had gotten out of the box, walked across a plank that was there, and climbed into her nest. I have good vision but I'm telling ya, I couldn't see my hand in front of my face. But she found her way out of one place and into another without falling to the floor. Maybe its from all the carrots they get in their feed.

 

[Triple Willow]

  I have red feed and water buckets and no aggression towards them.  One rooster tried to attack my brown egg basket once....once.   I always have red or blue feed buckets but usually red because it's just one of my accent colors that I love.  I've heard of bulls and such being agitated over red buckets but I must confess that none of my animals ever give them a second's pause. 

TW, maybe a bonk on the head with that bucket would adjust his attitude! 

I'm sure I would have done that but it has always got feed in it for the next two pens. hahaha I don't think it would work anyhow. I have picked up the black feeder off the ground and whacked him with it, now when I pick up that feeder to knock the litter out of it he gets a little too nervous. I could tell a time or two that he thought about getting the first lick in before I did with that feeder. lol He keeps attacking my hands... come on Chicken Whisperer, what is this roo thinking!?! LOL Maybe me and him need a Scratch Summit... wonder what that stuff tastes like? Scratch and a movie...hmmm. hahaha

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Fun fact... Carrot have no significant benefit on your eyes and the government claimed they did and were feeding all their soldiers lots of carrots to hide the fact that they'd invented night vision goggles. Carrot are just carrots with no significant eye benefits at all. Still tasty, though. My chickens don't like em.

I have been working hard to wrap up the presents I am making for my honey. Tomorrow is cookies and stocking stuffers. The next morning is cleaning and my SO comes back. Plus trying to make sure things don't freeze solid out with all the animals... What a chore! I am still waiting to see if Diamond is going to kindle.

And suggestions on what would bring a little color to these CX's in the feet and combs and such? They're looking better than when I got them, active and perky instead of super sluggish... But their legs are nearly white and their combs got worse after the attack. I'm going to add a bit of cloves, oregano and garlic to their feed, but if there was anything else... Thoughts?

 

[BCMaraniac]

TW, I got a phone call today from a woman who has two week old piglets for sale. I had given her father my number for her to call when she had some. She has 3 more sows that are pregnant, so there will be more a little later. I hope to get ready for them in the next couple of months so I can raise them and have them ready to butcher this time next year.

BTW, my feed bucket is that glow-in-the dark kind of orange.....all I know is the change in the feed bucket to dark blue and carrying in the scoop has solved the problem for now.