Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[Triple Willow]

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.

I have read that possums go after the butt and want to eat the intestines. Maybe it was a possum aiming for that???

 

[LindaB220]

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?

Hey Dude,

Just experiment a little a see what they eat in a short period of time. They are getting bigger and unfortunately they are going to eat more. Keep extra fermented feed made up and feed a couple of times a day. No dry feed around at all. It will save you money and keep you from refilling the water buckets so much.

 

[cortner1195]

I think that size animal, but wrong geographic location. Ferret, porcupine, racoon. Almost in this area.

 

[EnnisLakeFarm]

I think that size animal, but wrong geographic location. Ferret, porcupine, racoon. Almost in this area.

we have had skunks wreck havoc on our chickens similar to that. Turned out they were living under the coop.

 

[armorfirelady]

I think that size animal, but wrong geographic location. Ferret, porcupine, racoon. Almost in this area.

I would guess the ferret or a weasel

 

[Triple Willow]

@TheDude... nice looking chicks. You and your birds will like ff - for different reasons of course. haha

 

[HUHG]

Quote: i love what your doing! im excited to try this! but question.... how is it more efficient and cost less? your still buying grains...???

 

[Loc20chick]

i love what your doing! im excited to try this! but question.... how is it more efficient and cost less? your still buying grains...???

because there is less wastage of feed with FF as opposed to dry feed which equals buying less grains and also they eat less and get more nutrition than from dried feed.

 

[thedude]

Ok, so far so good. They love the FF. They follow me or anyone that happens to be in the yard everywhere hoping you will feed them.

I'm also gonna experiment with making my own food - cracked corn, barley, rolled oats. I'll ferment it and add some of the meat bird feed. The nutrena meat bird feed is $22 or $23 per bag and at close to 2 of those a week I didn't like the math on the feed costs versus meat return.

The individual grains are like 17 per 50# bag so that is a little more in line. I figure couple that with the free ranging, fermented feed, and costs should decrease.

Thanks
Chris

 

[LindaB220]

Ok, so far so good. They love the FF. They follow me or anyone that happens to be in the yard everywhere hoping you will feed them.

I'm also gonna experiment with making my own food - cracked corn, barley, rolled oats. I'll ferment it and add some of the meat bird feed. The nutrena meat bird feed is $22 or $23 per bag and at close to 2 of those a week I didn't like the math on the feed costs versus meat return.

The individual grains are like 17 per 50# bag so that is a little more in line. I figure couple that with the free ranging, fermented feed, and costs should decrease.

Thanks
Chris

Sound like a plan. Barley and oats have more protein than corn so use more of it. Try to keep 18% at least. Are they layers? If they are CX you'll need at least 20%.