Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[tallgrass]

I just read all 52 pages. Sure have learned a lot.

Possible feed source during harvest. I used to work ob a large grain farm and during harvest we sometimes had a little bit of grain run over the sides of the trucks etc, I think a person with a generator and a large shop vacuum could go around and vacuum up quite a bit of grain in the fields where it got spilled. The guys i worked for wouldn't care a bit.. Or you could just rake it up into a pile and then scoop it up with a shovel.

 

[BunsNChicks]

Cornish X are Cornish X Rocks. Do you happen to have any pictures? They can't be Cornish X birds with them only weighing 3 1/2 lbs at 9 weeks!! What did you feed?

organic chick starter the fist 2 weeks, then organic layer pellet (it was cheaper) along with sprouted wheat and fermented wheat..I fermented everything for them

 

[jrsckn]

LOL...they are actually good for 3 days with no food as they are still feeding off of the yolk that they absorbed. Momma hens don't take them to food for a few days, they will be just fine!!

I sprinkled the paper with a handful of crumbles just to get them pecking.

They ate 3 spoonfulls of ff yesterday!!!!!!! We're off to a good start.

I created a separate thread to keep all my data together and not spread throughout this monster thread.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/672135/meatie-experiment-ff-vs-crumbles

 

[AbbyDog]

My two week old chicks have now been solely on fermented food for 1 week, and I will never go back to giving them dry crumbles. I am going to photograph their poops and post the pics as testament what an extreme difference this has made for them. They are all very active, even the one I thought was crippled. Have started to give my layers ff as well, most of them love it. So happy that I found this thread!

 

[myhubbycallsmechickeemama]

organic chick starter the fist 2 weeks, then organic layer pellet (it was cheaper) along with sprouted wheat and fermented wheat..I fermented everything for them

Do you have pictures? It doesn't sound like you got CX chicks to me.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

I had a small accident with my started FF as the dog crashed into it and sent it flying..small because I am only using a gallon container...but I have no more braggs. Maybe some coming later today, but I am wondering about using yogurt starter, which I do have...I am new to this and doing research, but only have bits and pieces of info.. now the freeze dried starter contains skim milk, sucrose, ascorbic acid, lactic bacteria (L bulgaricus, S thermophilus L acidophilus) any comments, suggestions, articles??? Are these the 'good' bacteria formed?

 

[myhubbycallsmechickeemama]

Do you have any yeast? That would work good.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Yes, been spending alot of time researching, trying to get a handle on the whole thing..alot to learn...I did get my delivery, and thinking of saving the yogert starter for yogert. Would the yeast work as well..or, really can just start the fermentation but would take longer to develop? Since i have the braggs now, I'm starting over, and additional bottle in case of another accident..interested in the whole process anyway,

 

[Kassaundra]

Yes, been spending alot of time researching, trying to get a handle on the whole thing..alot to learn...I did get my delivery, and thinking of saving the yogert starter for yogert. Would the yeast work as well..or, really can just start the fermentation but would take longer to develop? Since i have the braggs now, I'm starting over, and additional bottle in case of another accident..interested in the whole process anyway,

I started mine w/ water and grain. I never knew to add acv when I started mine. I know the grains will ferment on their own, I can't speak to the layer pellets or chick start crumbles, but do not see why they would not.

 

[angelbabyamy]

The local feed store sells an oat, barley and cob mix. Would this work? I also buy a 5 grain scratch. I'm not sure what to use to start! Is it better to buy the oats, barley and corn individually and mix them? I have 12 Cornish X that are 2 weeks I would like to try FF. What is the best starter?