Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[armorfirelady]

I'd keep giving them some layer mix...at least 50% during the winter months, particularly if they all start laying.

Well they have not started laying yet at 26 weeks old. By what I have been told by others and because their combs & wattles are just starting to grow & turn red that there is still few more weeks till they start laying. I have been giving them layer pellets since I brought them home August 4th. No real interest in the laying boxes either. I cant say I have been giving then half layer feed & half other items (scratch, oats & boss) in their FF. But I will add some more laying pellets to their new batch of FF in the house. Could they not be laying because I am not giving them 50% layer feed now?

Also I was wondering today that with winter & the freezing temps if the FF was going to freeze while it was outside because there is so much moisture in it? ANyone thought about this? I am wondering if I should get another heated dog bowl for the FF for winter?

I currently only feed my 4 hens once a day in the am. One large slotted spoon full. It lasts till after dinner time. I figured that was enough since if they get 2 spoonfulls its there till the next day. They are outside in their runs all day and also get fresh veggies to supplement them but they seem more interested in being in the yard scratching around the compost pile & in the grass & veggie garden than they do in eating all the FF when they are fed in the am. I am guessing if they were not getting enough food in the runs that they would be eating more FF?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well they have not started laying yet at 26 weeks old. By what I have been told by others and because their combs & wattles are just starting to grow & turn red that there is still few more weeks till they start laying. I have been giving them layer pellets since I brought them home August 4th. No real interest in the laying boxes either. I cant say I have been giving then half layer feed & half other items (scratch, oats & boss) in their FF. But I will add some more laying pellets to their new batch of FF in the house. Could they not be laying because I am not giving them 50% layer feed now?

Also I was wondering today that with winter & the freezing temps if the FF was going to freeze while it was outside because there is so much moisture in it? ANyone thought about this? I am wondering if I should get another heated dog bowl for the FF for winter?

I currently only feed my 4 hens once a day in the am. One large slotted spoon full. It lasts till after dinner time. I figured that was enough since if they get 2 spoonfulls its there till the next day. They are outside in their runs all day and also get fresh veggies to supplement them but they seem more interested in being in the yard scratching around the compost pile & in the grass & veggie garden than they do in eating all the FF when they are fed in the am. I am guessing if they were not getting enough food in the runs that they would be eating more FF?

I was wondering the same thing about the ff freezing, I have a heated dog bowl, I'll have to go hunt it up.

 

[Beekissed]

Well they have not started laying yet at 26 weeks old. By what I have been told by others and because their combs & wattles are just starting to grow & turn red that there is still few more weeks till they start laying. I have been giving them layer pellets since I brought them home August 4th. No real interest in the laying boxes either. I cant say I have been giving then half layer feed & half other items (scratch, oats & boss) in their FF. But I will add some more laying pellets to their new batch of FF in the house. Could they not be laying because I am not giving them 50% layer feed now?

Also I was wondering today that with winter & the freezing temps if the FF was going to freeze while it was outside because there is so much moisture in it? ANyone thought about this? I am wondering if I should get another heated dog bowl for the FF for winter?

I currently only feed my 4 hens once a day in the am. One large slotted spoon full. It lasts till after dinner time. I figured that was enough since if they get 2 spoonfulls its there till the next day. They are outside in their runs all day and also get fresh veggies to supplement them but they seem more interested in being in the yard scratching around the compost pile & in the grass & veggie garden than they do in eating all the FF when they are fed in the am. I am guessing if they were not getting enough food in the runs that they would be eating more FF?

No, they will lay when they are ready, no matter what they are being fed. Some breeds take longer to mature and this is a good thing...means they will lay longer.

 

[flagirl]

Finally finished reading the entire thread. I started ff a few days ago to just supplement. i made maybe 2 cups in a glass bowl in the kitchen and they loved it. I had some rolled oats, barley and rye in the fridge, so that is what i did.(with the ACV) As I kept reading, i decided to add their pellets the next day, so I got a larger glass bowl-luckily I moved it to the garage and put a tea towel over it like i do for sourdough. it was bubbling when I went to bed-==the next morning, it had soaked the towel and spilled all over the floor. guess I had major action going

so today I cleaned a 3 gallon bucket and am using it and sitting it in the sink in the garage. My layers are 3 yrs old and 1 year olds and crowded around the bowls immediately and ate it all up.

 

[jeapa]

I thought I would post a few updated photos of my flock. I have been feeding them fermented grains and mash since they were about 8-10 weeks old. They are 5 months old this week and my 2 barred rocks just started laying. I really think the fermented food is making a difference in the health and vibrance of my girls, but I can't prove it..... I love the colors of my hatchery RIR.

Pics in my next post. Edit because links didn't work.

 

[armorfirelady]

Links dont work

 

[armorfirelady]

No, they will lay when they are ready, no matter what they are being fed. Some breeds take longer to mature and this is a good thing...means they will lay longer.

Ok I didnt know that for a fact but its what I guessed. Im in no hurry for them to lay. I am just enjoying them now. I am guessing when they start its going to be infrequent with the shorter winter days & figure spring will be when I see the hens hard at work laying eggs

 

[Leahs Mom]

It doesn't let me see your photos

 

[Beekissed]

Yep...just says page not found. I'd sure love to see those pics...can you upload them directly to this site?

 

[jeapa]

I am not sure why my photos aren't working. I will try and upload them to this site.