Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[Ashdoes]

What if we just put the pumpkins around the run? Just set them anywhere, let them freeze and thaw and just let the chickens eat when they want? Would that work? Deployed husband and a bad back, I don't want to be lugging pumpkins around. Pick up and move once would make me happy, and carving two or three for the chickens would be fun for my girls.

 

[Missa Chickabee]

About greens in the wintertime: I haven't had chickens over a winter yet, but I grow kale and chard for my family (and this year, the chickens, too). It stays alive and looking good right through our Michigan winter.

Really, normanack? This has my full attention. How cold do you get and how much snow? We're a couple of states west of you in northern MN. I have been thinking about overwintering kale but didn't think it could take our winters. We grow Swiss Chard, too. Would think that may not be quite as hardy. Interested to know where you got your seeds, etc. Thnx

 

[Missa Chickabee]

BK, did you ever come to a verdict on epsom salts (internally) for gleet? I know you had mentioned you were going to experiment a bit with that. Thnx.

 

[armorfirelady]

If you do this in the garage, put them on a tarp or a sheet of plastic.....big mess when they lose their fluids. Your hubby will scream about that if you make a syrupy mess in his garage floor.

That's why I always store them in my broody pen in the winter...not in use and will dry up and be worked into the old wood long before I get a broody sitting.

Hmmm well its just me so I would be yelling at myself

I wonder if I put them in the giant compost area with a tarp on top so they wouldnt get the bad kind of mold from rain/snow sitting on them, if that would work? I really only have the garage as a place to store them inside since the shed is full. Hmmmmmmmmm

Or I could put them in the veggie garden to do their thing. Thats right next to the coop.....

 

[Beekissed]

You could...but the excess moisture from rains and snow might tip the scales in favor of the wrong kind of mold growth going on there...not sure. The only way you will find out is to try it and see!

I am sans hubby also, so no one yells at me either....wouldn't even if I had one.

 

[Lacy Blues]

BK, did you ever come to a verdict on epsom salts (internally) for gleet? I know you had mentioned you were going to experiment a bit with that. Thnx.

If you're having a problem with vent gleet, I've read that some people have used yeast infection ointment (for women) successfully.

I'd be interested to know about the epsom salt treatment as well. I've only had one bird that ever got it and I didn't think it could be cured from what I had read to that date, but then I found out that it could.

From what I understand, the yeast bacteria can only get a foothold if there is not enough good bacteria from a good yogurt or whatever else you want to buy. I use a lot of yogurt, so I haven't had the problem in several years now.

 

[ChestnutRidge]

Good to know I'm not the only one who had that problem. I figured that, since it smelled like a dead animal (it's a distinctive smell), it was probably populated by the same bacteria that feed on a dead animal. I tossed it into the woods and started with fresh.

I love the pumpkin idea. The freeze/thaw observation is really interesting. I like the idea of just setting them out and letting the birds eat them when they perceive that they're ready. I need to find some free pumpkins!

 

[Miss Lydia]

If you're having a problem with vent gleet, I've read that some people have used yeast infection ointment (for women) successfully.

I'd be interested to know about the epsom salt treatment as well. I've only had one bird that ever got it and I didn't think it could be cured from what I had read to that date, but then I found out that it could.

From what I understand, the yeast bacteria can only get a foothold if there is not enough good bacteria from a good yogurt or whatever else you want to buy. I use a lot of yogurt, so I haven't had the problem in several years now.

I tried Walmarts brand of Monostat 3 diff times and she has been on ACV water since I got her. What do you do with the epsom salt?

 

[Missa Chickabee]

I tried Walmarts brand of Monostat 3 diff times and she has been on ACV water since I got her. What do you do with the epsom salt?

It was something from a different website for chickens. Here is the link:

http://hencam.com/henblog/2011/02/the-epsom-salt-cure/

I know epsom salts (dissolved in water and taken by mouth) causes a 'purge' in humans. So this method is 'up in the air' for me. I'm using Nu-stock on any beat-up vent area I find now. In humans I think Espsom salt are hard on the system but maybe it flushes out the yeast in a chicken. I would think the bird had better be well-hydrated before considering a purge.

 

[Beekissed]

BK, did you ever come to a verdict on epsom salts (internally) for gleet? I know you had mentioned you were going to experiment a bit with that. Thnx.

You know, I did some research on it and I was right...they were giving it to induce diarrhea, with the thought that this would "flush" the bad yeast out of the bowel flora. Unfortunately, this is a faulty theory. When you flush the system, everything gets to go with the flow....the good and the bad flora. Unfortunately, the bad flora grow quicker than the good flora, so you are right back where you started unless you get some probios, like the FF and ACV in there. Also, when you flush the digestive tract in that manner, you lose electrolytes in the process....a sick bird doesn't need to be dehydrated in that manner...it's just another way for the immune system to be weakened even further.

I started to try them in the water until I read the research and then stopped. The NuStock had cured everyone that got that first application of it, then I found the hen that didn't get any and have treated her as well. She is getting better also....last night's treatment was gratuitous, I think she was already on the mend and I was seeing the residue of when she was untreated.

NuStock...who would have ever thunk it? Makes one realize that we are seriously over thinking some of these maladies.

If you're having a problem with vent gleet, I've read that some people have used yeast infection ointment (for women) successfully.

I'd be interested to know about the epsom salt treatment as well. I've only had one bird that ever got it and I didn't think it could be cured from what I had read to that date, but then I found out that it could.

From what I understand, the yeast bacteria can only get a foothold if there is not enough good bacteria from a good yogurt or whatever else you want to buy. I use a lot of yogurt, so I haven't had the problem in several years now.

I had never had this problem in my flocks...just never occurred. Didn't even know this stuff existed until I read about it on BYC. Now that this old flock has it, I'm finding that the simple cure for it is this NuStock, as simple a treatment as one could ask for.

Good to know I'm not the only one who had that problem. I figured that, since it smelled like a dead animal (it's a distinctive smell), it was probably populated by the same bacteria that feed on a dead animal. I tossed it into the woods and started with fresh.

I love the pumpkin idea. The freeze/thaw observation is really interesting. I like the idea of just setting them out and letting the birds eat them when they perceive that they're ready. I need to find some free pumpkins!

Halloween is coming up.....ask people if you can discard their pumpkins for them. Many people decorate with pumpkins but then don't want the mess of having to dispose of them when they get that first freeze and then the pumpkins start to ooze and deflate all over their front porch.