Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[wolfpup]

Thanks BE - I am a retired lecturer, I know about 'anal' and research

 

[wolfpup]

@Wolfpup... Your very welcome.

No doubt your birds are VERY well taken care of.

Ohhh trying to catch those birds... my patience starts to run very thin. LOL Some of my layers will get close enough and not be paying attention long enough for me to grab them BUT it is purely by accident. hahaha My CX meat birds on the other hand, that I want to be wild and crazy, they will not leave me alone wanting to sit on my shoulder or nestle in my lap and coo at me. They are going to make killing them so hard! I see a day or two of some serious crying in my future. I'll never feel good about killing chickens, but it is necessary for someone to do it.

My layers are still having some feather problems that I need to work on too. They are not near as meaty as I'd like either. Great on the NuStock and Castor Oil! Hopefully you won't need either too often.

Have a good one and keep us posted on your birds!

I started on a small portion of raw minced lean beef daily for them 3 days ago - trying to give them something extra until the NS arrived - they really show their ancient ancestry once raw meat is available, just trying everything I can think of from what I have learned - really not into medications - I go to the doc about once a year - DH went last week for the first time in 10 years! I am 64 in a couple of weeks and he is 70 - bearing in mind that our medication is free once we hit 60 I think that proves the point that we are not into meds !

 

[Triple Willow]

@Wolfpup... I agree with you 100%. I only go to the doctor when absolutely necessary. I don't want to medicate my animals either. I prefer keeping everything as natural as possible.

 

[Latestarter]

Rosemarie and Latestarter, I am glad both of your daughters are doing okay.

Lisa

Thanks Lisa. She's fine, just a lot more cautious when crossing streets

@Latestarter... I'm glad your daughter wasn't injured any worse than she was either! Saying a prayer for her too...

Thanks Triple Willow. So am I and of course so is she This isn't the first time the man upstairs was walking (or driving) with her! She has her issues, but leads a "charmed" life!

 

[Latestarter]

I have missed a few days here, and there is lots going on! I hope the girls are all ok. Prayers for a speedy, and full recovery for everyone.

I wanted to update you all on my meaties. I started with 18. I lost three to a predator 10 days prior to butcher. I lost one to sudden unexplained death 8 days prior to butcher. So on Saturday we processed the remaining 14 birds. Total cost was $199.00 Average weight was 5.84 lbs cleaned and bagged for freezer. the largest was 6 lb, 11 oz, and the smallest was 4 lb 6 oz. Cost $2.43 per pound. If we hadn't lost the four birds we would have had a cost per pound of $1.89 Now that my SIL made a plucker we will do this again. I am happy with the fermented feed. We did not include the cost of building the plucker in the raising of the birds. All went smoothly with the butchering. We are all happy that we researched the methods. One bird was too large for the cone.

Thanks Cortner. Grats to you on your success with the meaties. And I'll bet they'll taste so much better than store bought

that you'll deem them worth every cent of the $2.43 per pound

 

[RoseMarie1]

Oh dang Rose! I hope your daughter is feeling okay. I know that had to scare you to death, not to mention her! Thank God she was not hurt any worse than she was. I'm sure it has you stressed out too. I hope she gets healed up real quick. Saying a prayer for her and you and your husband too. Big hug to you!

...prayed

@ Latestarter....I bet she does!
Thanx TW........I think she's feeling some better today, Her teeth are throbbing she said from all the swelling but I think she's feeling some better.

 

[Triple Willow]

@ Latestarter....I bet she does! 

Thanx TW........I think she's feeling some better today, Her teeth are throbbing she said from all the swelling but I think she's feeling some better.

That's good Rose. I hope she recovers quickly. I can just imagine how bad her teeth might hurt. Sometimes I get sinus infections and mine get that dull ache. I am sure hers are much much worse than that! Give her a big hug.

 

[Triple Willow]

@Latestarter... there have been several times that the Lord has interveined on my behalf too. We won't know just how many times that has happened until we get to heaven. I'm glad He was watching over your daughter.

 

[cortner1195]

I fed my meaties ff from day one. I never found a source for affordable whole grains so I stuck with meat bird ration. I fed twice a day. I did have one leg problem and she turned out to be the smallest bird at slaughter. Most of the birds had deformed feet even though they were raised on deep bedding, and perches. Of the original 18 birds there were 5-6 that would range away from their run. The rest stayed in a 10 foot area around their run. I had a couple that usually stayed inside. One had a ton of personality. Sorry to see him go.
We talked about starting another batch, but I will wait. We have pigs coming soon, and our calves should be born in the next month. I have enough at the moment to keep track of.

I have a question. I think I read a brief comment on here about a hen not regrowing pulled feathers until her next adult molt. Is that true? I have one bird that had her tail feathers pulled last fall. She is just now regrowing her tail. She is just coming out of a small molt. I have another that her right shoulder/breast area is bald. The new black lab caught her, and that was her only injury. She has not replaced those feathers either.

 

[Mypeeps2013]

Yesterday I had a chick (that I bought from a store- who bought it from a hatchery) die. It was not moving or cheeping or drinking or eating. It died in my hand. Today I had three more die, two were the same breed as the first one and the third was a different breed. Two more seem to be sick as well.

Symptoms of the first chick:
No interest/ lack of movement
Cloudy liquid out of mouth right after passing (might be due to me force feeding/watering it)
runny poo


Symptoms of current possibly sick chicks:
shivering(?)(move heat lamp closer)
sleeping while standing
No interest in food or water
Smaller in size and less feathering than the others (don't know if this is helpful or even relevant)

Things you should know:
I had chickens four years ago and got rid of them and stopped raising them for a while. I left the coop pretty dirty. Before, I brought the chicks home. I clean out the coop and scrubbed with bleach water.

I started reading about fermented feed and decided to try it. Ingredients are medicated chick starter, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar, shell bits, and water. Its currently about a 10 days old.


Any ideas?