Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[Beekissed]

I have a small group of CX that do that and won't come back to the coop until the evening meal...if then. They always make it back right at dark, though. I'm thinking about marking that particular group and saving them back to place in my layer flock. Just want to see how well they will live and thrive with those good foraging instincts and without the dependence on supplemental food that the rest of this CX flock do.

If they continue to do well and not have any problems as they age, I may see if I can breed my large DP roo over the hens and let the roos breed over my large DP hens and see what comes out of the hat at the end of the day.

 

[shadowmane]

Sounds like an awesome project. You'll have to let us all know how that one comes out. On another note, I'll have fuzzybutts tomorrow. 12 Red Rangers and 5 Golden Comets (if we actually go through with getting the layers).

 

[SherrieT]

The woman I got my Dorkings from bred a Buff Orpington roo over a CX. She was only able to get a couple of eggs out of the CX but the surviving chick, a roo, is a MONSTER ! I've never seen such a large roo. And very healthy

I have a small group of CX that do that and won't come back to the coop until the evening meal...if then. They always make it back right at dark, though. I'm thinking about marking that particular group and saving them back to place in my layer flock. Just want to see how well they will live and thrive with those good foraging instincts and without the dependence on supplemental food that the rest of this CX flock do.

If they continue to do well and not have any problems as they age, I may see if I can breed my large DP roo over the hens and let the roos breed over my large DP hens and see what comes out of the hat at the end of the day.

 

[SherrieT]

11 chicks hatched out this weekend.
2 blue laced red wyndottes
3 white dorkings
3 dark dorkings
2 B/B/S Orpingtons

Took them out of incubator and started them on the FF. They are all feeding just great. I used medicated feed because it is what I had here. Can't wait to see how they do on it.

 

[Beekissed]

Yay for chicks! They look great! It's good that you are starting them out on it right away so their is no transition to it later.

I can't wait to see how everyone's birds are doing on the FF. I hope everyone keeps this thread up to date on how their birds are progressing, both good and bad.

Mine are still doing wonderfully and gaining as the are supposed to be on two feedings a day....we are now up to 2.5 gal. of grain/mash a day for 50 birds. A few pics of them this week at week 7 of their lives:

 

[MyTDogs]

Hi All,
I am thinking about trying this but I am wondering where I can store the buckets? Will the smell attract critters? I don't have a barn or shed. Can the buckets be stored in the coop? I am afraid that I will end up with rats & their predators hanging around if i leave out yummy smelling fermenting food.

I am currently considering throwing out about 40# of layer pellets because of grain mites. If I ferment can I avoid the mites? I store my dry feed in a galvanized cans on the carport. I currently have 3 buff orpingtons and 9 runner ducks and so i just don't go thru it fast enough & the mites become a problem. I have 15 ameraucana eggs in the incubator so maybe I will get lucky & have a few more mouths to feed in a few weeks.

 

[myhubbycallsmechickeemama]

WOW...your birds are looking awesome, Beekissed!!! Mine will be 3 weeks tomorrow but they are still in the brooder right now. I just ordered the Premiere 1 poultry fence kit so hopefully it will be here this week sometime so I can get these guys out into the grass. We have one day in the next 10 that is supposed to be below 40 degrees so hopefully it will be warm enough as they haven't gotten all of their feathers yet.

Does anyone have any weights at 3 weeks? Just curious how my little fatties compare!!

 

[shadowmane]

Hi All,
I am thinking about trying this but I am wondering where I can store the buckets? Will the smell attract critters? I don't have a barn or shed. Can the buckets be stored in the coop? I am afraid that I will end up with rats & their predators hanging around if i leave out yummy smelling fermenting food.

I am currently considering throwing out about 40# of layer pellets because of grain mites. If I ferment can I avoid the mites? I store my dry feed in a galvanized cans on the carport. I currently have 3 buff orpingtons and 9 runner ducks and so i just don't go thru it fast enough & the mites become a problem. I have 15 ameraucana eggs in the incubator so maybe I will get lucky & have a few more mouths to feed in a few weeks.

I keep mine in a plastic trash can just outside the door of the coop. It may eventually get moved inside, but for now, its outside (getting rained on tonight).

 

[Beekissed]

Hi All,
I am thinking about trying this but I am wondering where I can store the buckets? Will the smell attract critters? I don't have a barn or shed. Can the buckets be stored in the coop? I am afraid that I will end up with rats & their predators hanging around if i leave out yummy smelling fermenting food.

I am currently considering throwing out about 40# of layer pellets because of grain mites. If I ferment can I avoid the mites? I store my dry feed in a galvanized cans on the carport. I currently have 3 buff orpingtons and 9 runner ducks and so i just don't go thru it fast enough & the mites become a problem. I have 15 ameraucana eggs in the incubator so maybe I will get lucky & have a few more mouths to feed in a few weeks.

My bucket is in the coop and there isn't much smell as the lid is only cracked a little. I just feed each time what they will finish in one setting so there isn't anything left for rats or mice.

I don't know anything about grain mites...don't believe I've ever had any, but I'm sure a dunking in liquid all night will kill any that may be in the feed and add them to the protein therein.

ChickeeMama, thanks for the compliment! I didn't weigh mine at 3 wks but I did at 4 wks and they were at the Welp's Hatchery 3 wks level at the time....can't remember what that is now but you can just go to their site and find it easily enough.

 

[Kassaundra]

Mine is outside the coop in a 30 gal trash can (plastic) I've had it outside for about a year (first w/ 5 gal buckets) w/o any problems w/ rodents or it attracting anything but flies.