Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[fasschicks]

Thanks, Latestarter and Bee! That information is really helpful! It is nice to know that the birds sort of dry off after getting into the FF. I am not using a heat lamp for raising my first batch. I have the large Premier 1 heating plate, so not sure how fast they would dry. It kind of sounds like my golden retrievers. Anytime they get into mud, as soon as they dry off, it just falls off them. I never give a bath unless they roll in something that is horrible smelling.

Bee, I love your set up for the FF. Since I only have 10 adult chicken right now, I have my FF sitting in two 2-gallon heritage jars on my countertop. Each jar lasts about 3-4 days and then go to the next one. I alternate between the two. I have a plastic pitcher that I scoop it into and take out to the girls and throw into 2 large dog bowls. But, this setup is nice and gives each bird room to go around. It might help with the pecking order issue. Luckily my husband is extremely handy and works on job sites, because he brings left-over scrap lumber home with him. This could be done extremely easy.

Can I ask how large the holes are on the wire on top of the chick feeder? Just from your measurements, it looks to be about 2-inches x 2-inches? Does that just keep the chicks from getting into it? Also, is it "hinged" with zip ties? Cool idea!

 

[Beekissed]

Thanks, Latestarter and Bee! That information is really helpful! It is nice to know that the birds sort of dry off after getting into the FF. I am not using a heat lamp for raising my first batch. I have the large Premier 1 heating plate, so not sure how fast they would dry. It kind of sounds like my golden retrievers. Anytime they get into mud, as soon as they dry off, it just falls off them. I never give a bath unless they roll in something that is horrible smelling.

Bee, I love your set up for the FF. Since I only have 10 adult chicken right now, I have my FF sitting in two 2-gallon heritage jars on my countertop. Each jar lasts about 3-4 days and then go to the next one. I alternate between the two. I have a plastic pitcher that I scoop it into and take out to the girls and throw into 2 large dog bowls. But, this setup is nice and gives each bird room to go around. It might help with the pecking order issue. Luckily my husband is extremely handy and works on job sites, because he brings left-over scrap lumber home with him. This could be done extremely easy.

Can I ask how large the holes are on the wire on top of the chick feeder? Just from your measurements, it looks to be about 2-inches x 2-inches? Does that just keep the chicks from getting into it? Also, is it "hinged" with zip ties? Cool idea!

Yep! Two by two on that wire and hinged with the zips so I can flop it open and fill it, though I find myself just slopping the FF right through the wire and scraping across the top to get it to conform to the feeder. The chicks walk right across that wire, though when they are really new they will drop a leg or two down into the feed now and again. But, mostly it keeps them from tromping around in it.

I'm using a longer version of that for my big flock right now but without the wire topper and much taller. Cheap, easy to make, easy to knock out the scurf that gets kicked into it and just the right size to let the birds all feed along the length of it and not have to fight to get in to feed, though the younger birds still walk in it now and again. They eventually grow out of it and feed like a normal hen, bellying up to the trough per usual.

 

[fasschicks]

Thanks, Bee! Those are great pictures and looks easy peasy! Thanks for sharing. I'll be an expert in no time.

Fass

 

[Beekissed]

Here's a chick navigating the wire.....




And more......

 

[fasschicks]

Thanks, Bee! The chicks are larger than I thought (compared to the feeder). They seem to navigate it pretty well. Thanks for sharing. I already have it on my honey-do list.

 

[Beekissed]

Those are CX chicks, so they are a bit more....puffy...than regular chicks.

Here's a few pics of regular sized chicks and a mama eating out of the same feeder....

 

[Clucksandgiggle]

Those are CX chicks, so they are a bit more....puffy...than regular chicks.

Here's a few pics of regular sized chicks and a mama eating out of the same feeder....







Bee - what breeds are in this picture? The dark ones sure are pretty!

 

[Beekissed]

Those are just ol' crossbred mutts.

Plymouth White Rock crossed over a Black Australorp hen...and all the offspring were barred, with the males having a darker head and barring than the females.

 

[Clucksandgiggle]

I see now, in re-reading your post that you wrote what kind they were! Missed that the first time!

I love me some mutts!

 

[fasschicks]

Bee - they are so adorable. Can't wait to get me some chicks!