Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[wolfpup]

Thanks Bev (my last three chickens were named after the Beverley Sisters - hence' Middle Bev') - She doesn't have a bare back - as I stated in my earlier post - only her outer feathers were eaten before I got rid of the feather eater - her inner, downy feathers were (and still are) intact. It was 'Big Bev' that was the feather plucker/eater. I currently only have 3 hens -( getting another 5 POL in two weeks) - none of which (whom?) have shown the slightest inclination of picking at each other.

My worry is that they have been on FF for 4/5 weeks and been 'Big Bev' (feather eater) free for for 4 of those weeks - and no sign of any new feather growth. I thought that feeding FF was supposed to increase feather growth/production.

Maybe I have to wait for her to moult in about 6 months in order to see new feathers grow in.

 

[beverly evans]

Thanks Bev (my last three chickens were named after the Beverley Sisters - hence' Middle Bev') - She doesn't have a bare back - as I stated in my earlier post - only her outer feathers were eaten before I got rid of the feather eater - her inner, downy feathers were (and still are) intact. It was 'Big Bev' that was the feather plucker/eater. I currently only have 3 hens -( getting another 5 POL in two weeks) - none of which (whom?) have shown the slightest inclination of picking at each other.

My worry is that they have been on FF for 4/5 weeks and been 'Big Bev' (feather eater) free for for 4 of those weeks - and no sign of any new feather growth. I thought that feeding FF was supposed to increase feather growth/production.

Maybe I have to wait for her to moult in about 6 months in order to see new feathers grow in.

I sure hope we don't have to wait that long. My little Dominique has quite a bare spot on her back. The feathers cover it but I know its there and she was so pretty before. Someone asked me to show her as an example of her breed and I had to tell them she was not ready for the public. There is that stuff called "feather fixer". Some people say it is great. I'm gonna give my girl some meat and see if that helps, along with keeping the rooster that abuses her "in jail". FF improves everything in general and if your hens were somewhat not up to par, their coats, rather feathers, after a while would be noticably shinier and fluffier. Give it time.

 

[RoseMarie1]

Hey RoseMarie, either way is just fine... remember, they love raw bugs and such...

OK thank you!!!!

 

[RoseMarie1]

oh yum I'm with Bee. YUM!!!

 

[Triple Willow]

Too bad they are for eating, they sound fun!  My favorite rooster jumped up on my back yesterday.  Good thing my shirt was thick!  Not just because he loves me, but because I had a chicken in my lap I was protecting from him.  He has one ragged, on the way to being like Rosemarie's.  Why theyu pick out one and give her all of their attention?  Maybe she is just too slow?  : (

I don't know why roosters do that. I've got one hen that all the roosters I had at one time was in love with. Thank goodness they couldn't get to her. lol Yeah, all my other chickens together aren't as tame as one of these meat chickens. And I didn't try to tame any of them! They are a chore to feed because of how they act- can't walk for them OR keep them off of me.

 

[thedude]

Been lurking on this thread for awhile. The idea of less feed for these Cornish X beasties is very appealing. They are going through close to 2 50lb bags a week (chicks 5 weeks).

So, I started a batch on Tuesday evening (Nutrena Meat Bird crumbles), ACV. It had a slightly sour smell so seems to be going well.

I've also started to let them free range some. I can't do it everyday because of the predators we have, but about 3-4 days a week. They don't seem to go far from the chic tractor.

Gave them the first taste of FF today and I'd say it was a hit




I'm still confused on how much to give them. Everyone says what they can eat in 30 mins, but they could eat a lot in that amount of time. They finished about a third of this bucket in 5 mins. It's not a full 5 gal bucket.

I've got 34 birds right now. Has anyone broken this down into cups or pounds per feeding?

 

[Angelicisi]

I fed a batch of 40 CX and 5 layers on 10 cups twice a day. There was often a bit left but they were free ranged. And did some serious foraging. I used a 2 cup measuring plastic cup with small holes drilled in bottom as a scoop and spread it out among trough feeders so the biggest birds didn't just sit and eat blocking others.

Been lurking on this thread for awhile. The idea of less feed for these Cornish X beasties is very appealing. They are going through close to 2 50lb bags a week (chicks 5 weeks). So, I started a batch on Tuesday evening (Nutrena Meat Bird crumbles), ACV. It had a slightly sour smell so seems to be going well. I've also started to let them free range some. I can't do it everyday because of the predators we have, but about 3-4 days a week. They don't seem to go far from the chic tractor. Gave them the first taste of FF today and I'd say it was a hit I'm still confused on how much to give them. Everyone says what they can eat in 30 mins, but they could eat a lot in that amount of time. They finished about a third of this bucket in 5 mins. It's not a full 5 gal bucket. I've got 34 birds right now. Has anyone broken this down into cups or pounds per feeding?

 

[Angelicisi]

And the last 3 weeks mine ate almost what they ate in the 1st 5 weeks
I did do a batch that I grew out to 4 months. After 12 weeks the feed intake plateaus for us. I may do another batch and observe that again to see if it was a fluke but it was consistent in that batch. They didn't eat LESS...they just had a limit. Free ranging cuts cost dramatically too BUT losing an older bird is losing money. It's one think if peeps pass away but a bird half way there or more has $ in it at that point and should be in your belly not a predators! So keep it up they look great! Better to keep the buggars protected

 

[thedude]

Ok cool thanks. I was looking for some sort of a "measurement". They are definitely enjoying the free ranging even if it is only a few yards, they are getting better at it. Seems a bit new to them as I only started earlier this week. But i do see their crops with stuff in it when it's feeding time. The free range definitely helps with buying less food and they get a more varied diet.

I'm really glad I built the tractor, being able to move them every day and spread the poop out is huge. Though it's gonna mean faster growing grass for me to mow! ugh

They do go crazy for the FF

Thanks
Chris

 

[cortner1195]

Bless you !  Sorry you experienced such a massacre.  What animal kills and maims so many without eating them?  Do coons do that?  We have coons, possums and hawks.  How does one ever protect chickens from cougars??  With really big dogs?  What kind would a cougar not take on?  I guess you would need more than one.??

Whatever it was, it seemed to catch them by the back of the leg. One was completely torn open, and eaten on. Maybe racoon? Seems like a smaller animal to go after the lower side of the bird. Nothing to do about big cats. I'm not willing to sacrifice the dogs. Especially with multiple big cats. They do hunt as a team.

Otherwise these birds are ready to process. Yea! One week from today.