Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[myhubbycallsmechickeemama]

Thank you!! I was planning on adding flock raiser to my CX grains only because I wanted them to have a higher protein count than that of just the grain. I'll see how it goes!

I need to set up another system and get a batch going for my big girls too because they seem to love it and hey, if it cuts down on the feed bill...all the better!!!

 

[Beekissed]

So far I can see where it definitely cuts down on the feed bill, so I will continue it until I feel it is more trouble than it's worth. Every penny I can save right now is a good thing.

 

[jrsckn]

Can you used the medicated chick starter or does it have to be non-medicated?

And on that note, how necessary is medicated chick feed?

 

[Beekissed]

Can you used the medicated chick starter or does it have to be non-medicated?

And on that note, how necessary is medicated chick feed?

One uses medicated feeds to try to prevent coccidiosis infection but the probiotics growing in fermented feeds already do that much better than the amprollium can do it in the medicated feeds. So, no, medicated feeds are never necessary. Amprollium blocks thiamine and thiamine is essential for nerve and muscle tissue development, not to mention it also is essential for immune system health. Seems like an oxymoron to actually feed it to prevent disease, doesn't it?

But, yes, you can do it with medicated chick starter...it will ferment much like any other grain based feed.

 

[jrsckn]

It does kind of defeat the purpose lol I got a great deal on the medicated feed for my current chicks and didn't want to waste it if I have some left over for when the meaties arrive. Thanks!

 

[myhubbycallsmechickeemama]

The new babies are finally eating the fermented chick starter. Yea!!!! Another batch of starter has been added to the ferment bucket. Need to go get me 2 more buckets for the big girls now, they have already waded through what I gave them this morning!! They absolutely love it. Not really looking forward to drilling all those holes again though....my arm was killing me when I finished.

I actually caught the babies sleeping today. They were very active yesterday considering the 2 day trip they had!

 

[Beekissed]

I used a cordless drill and a starter drill bit...shorter than most, so it was much easier to drill quickly and move on to the next hole. I feel your pain, though...drilling the holes is a pain in the patooty!

 

[myhubbycallsmechickeemama]

I used a cordless drill too and went through 2 batteries by the time I was finished. My drill bit was about an inch and a half long, I think I need a shorter one!!

 

[Beekissed]

Wow. Maybe you do....mine was done in less than 15 min. You poor thing!

 

[myhubbycallsmechickeemama]

LOL...it probably didn't help that I lifted weights before doing it.