Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[Herdsman01]

Ok, so I started my FF feed to be able to feed it to the 30 meaties that should arrive tomorrow. I am sorry if this is a repeat question. I read that the chickens "bathe" in. So how should I feed it to them. I have the little canning jar feeders, the next size up feeders without handles (3lbs?), the next size up with Carrying handles (6lbs?) and the massive metal feeder (30lbs?). I have my feed bubbling and "growing". It is expanding like yeast does to dough. I stir it every day and even 3-4 times a day because it is right with me in my living area. It overflowed several times until I got a system where it won't "bubble over" or grow and spill over the sides of containers anymore. Live and learn...

Don't use as much feed next time and fill bucket to the top.

I am not starting with chick starter. I had cocci late last fall. Marek's is not on our property and we nave no older birds coming in and out. I have the antibiotics for cocci. Should I put some in their water to keep them safe...is this safe? Should I do something else?

As far as the antibiotics go it probably wouldn't hurt them if you put it in their water as a preventative measure. I know Corrid can be mixed as a 21 day preventative solution for cattle. I wonder if there a preventative solution can be mixed up like this for poultry? I'm sure there probably is. If my understanding is correct, over time the chicks should develop an immunity to cocci. I want to say it takes around three weeks, but that may be off. I don't think it would hurt either to wait until you actually see any signs of cocci and then medicate. Just have the coccidiostat on hand ready to go.

 

[Aprildeesunshin]

Thank you.

 

[lazy gardener]

Ok, so I started my FF feed to be able to feed it to the 30 meaties that should arrive tomorrow. I am sorry if this is a repeat question. I read that the chickens "bathe" in. So how should I feed it to them. I have the little canning jar feeders, the next size up feeders without handles (3lbs?), the next size up with Carrying handles (6lbs?) and the massive metal feeder (30lbs?). I have my feed bubbling and "growing". It is expanding like yeast does to dough. I stir it every day and even 3-4 times a day because it is right with me in my living area. It overflowed several times until I got a system where it won't "bubble over" or grow and spill over the sides of containers anymore. Live and learn...

Don't use as much feed next time and fill bucket to the top.

I am not starting with chick starter. I had cocci late last fall. Marek's is not on our property and we nave no older birds coming in and out. I have the antibiotics for cocci. Should I put some in their water to keep them safe...is this safe? Should I do something else?

It's an individual decision regarding medication for cocci. If you keep them in a dry brooder, and expose them early on to your native soils, they will develop immunity, and be well acclimated by the time they get outside. I've never given medicated feed, and never had issues with cocccidiosis. Why treat something that is not there? Even if they get medicated feed while in the brooder, that won't prevent coccidiosis down the road, if it should ever be a problem. Wait until there's an issue, (which you'll most likely never see) before treating.

 

[Aprildeesunshin]

It's an individual decision regarding medication for cocci.  If you keep them in a dry brooder, and expose them early on to your native soils, they will develop immunity, and be well acclimated by the time they get outside.  I've never given medicated feed, and never had issues with cocccidiosis.  Why treat something that is not there?  Even if they get medicated feed while in the brooder, that won't prevent coccidiosis down the road, if it should ever be a problem.  Wait until there's an issue, (which you'll most likely never see) before treating.

Thank you. These meaties will be inside for about 3 weeks or until it is warm enough outside. They will free range in our circular goat pen of about 200 feet. they will stay in their own kennels locked up at night within the pen. Last year this worked very well with the 17 we had. With doubling the number of chicks, I will be using 2 kennels this time on opposite sides of the pen. Also, the season I am getting them is different. I received my chicks last year in the beginning of June. It simply was too hot for them to eat the dry feed we were giving them. So they grew to be 12 weeks instead of 10. We lost 2 to the heat last year but I think it turned out well. Do you think I will be able to keep white turkeys in with these chick since they will be on the same feed? Of course, the turkeys will live in there for a longer period of time. I know I need to check for disease on the turkeys feet and try to prevent it. I just am not sure of what else I might need to do. Any advice? I want them to have a good life and be able to forage. My chicken coop is without grass. The goat leaves the pen during the day to go out and eat where we need him to eat.

 

[lazy gardener]

I know that turkeys that share ground with chickens can be at risk of Black Head. I've never raised turkeys, so can't advise you. When at all possible, I like to keep my chickens on either green ground or deep litter.

 

[Regin]

Ok, so I started my FF feed to be able to feed it to the 30 meaties that should arrive tomorrow. I am sorry if this is a repeat question. I read that the chickens "bathe" in. So how should I feed it to them. I have the little canning jar feeders, the next size up feeders without handles (3lbs?), the next size up with Carrying handles (6lbs?) and the massive metal feeder (30lbs?). I have my feed bubbling and "growing". It is expanding like yeast does to dough. I stir it every day and even 3-4 times a day because it is right with me in my living area. It overflowed several times until I got a system where it won't "bubble over" or grow and spill over the sides of containers anymore. Live and learn...

Don't use as much feed next time and fill bucket to the top.

I am not starting with chick starter. I had cocci late last fall. Marek's is not on our property and we nave no older birds coming in and out. I have the antibiotics for cocci. Should I put some in their water to keep them safe...is this safe? Should I do something else?

Fermented food does not cure or completely stop cocci, but it helps to discourage it in the same way as ACV does.

About feeders that was a stumper for me too.

@Beekissed posted a very good and simple feeder in a previous thread
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/644300/fermenting-feed-for-meat-birds/16760#post_14692256

And heres one I came up with. I have made a bracket out of two old bricks and some 1x2 scraps that I use for shoebox size plastic containers.

 

[Latestarter]

Thanks for the reply! Sorry I should have mentioned I am fermenting chick starter. So it sounds like everything is working as it should, which is good to hear. As far as the thickness goes, would it hurt to add a bit more dry feed to thicken it up? I may let it sit one more day before I feed it to the chicks.

Nope, won't hurt a bit

When you feed it to the chicks, don't stand too close... Mine would attack the pie plate as I was lowering it into the brooder, and they would all jump right in the middle trying to play king of the hill. The biggest/strongest got the best spot... right dead center in the pie plate! Don't worry about them wearing their food either... They'll clean each other off afterwards. Good luck!

 

[Aprildeesunshin]

Nope, won't hurt a bit   When you feed it to the chicks, don't stand too close... Mine would attack the pie plate as I was lowering it into the brooder, and they would all jump right in the middle trying to play king of the hill. The biggest/strongest got the best spot... right dead center in the pie plate! Don't worry about them wearing their food either... They'll clean each other off afterwards. Good luck!

I am so excited. My meaties came a day early. Yesterday while I was setting up their home for the next three weeks, I got the phone call from the post office. So, because I wasn't ready they went into a tote with pine shavings. I immediately hung the regular feeder with FF. They were diving into it last night and were all covered/ wet. They slept close together in a pile under the heat lamp because they were wet and cold. They are all eating this morning and fluffy. They are all pecking each other clean too. Thank you so much for the advice.

 

[lazy gardener]

One important warning: Don't put that FF in any metal dishes, or use metal to stir it. The acid will etch and leach the metal.

 

[Herdsman01]

Nope, won't hurt a bit

When you feed it to the chicks, don't stand too close... Mine would attack the pie plate as I was lowering it into the brooder, and they would all jump right in the middle trying to play king of the hill. The biggest/strongest got the best spot... right dead center in the pie plate! Don't worry about them wearing their food either... They'll clean each other off afterwards. Good luck!

Thanks! I did add a little more dry feed yesterday to thicken it up and it helped. I'm looking forward to getting the chicks on FF.