Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[Beekissed]

I probably missed this when it was asked before but what about during winter? I am thinking the ff is going to freeze when I sit it out in the morning for the flock, it will be like suet probably does ya'lls birds still eat it okay? I have a heated dog bowl that I can use has anyone used one of those? or is it necessary. Thanks.

For most of us, this is our first year of doing this during cold weather, so we are still working that out. Will be reporting back on the different choices we have made and how they work.

I have a question about my new two bucket system.
I have each bucket full enough to feed the birds for three to four days, during those days the second bucket is fermenting. This means each bucket goes for 5-7 before it's emptied. Is that ok? Not too long? Should I feed it a little on the fourth day, just to give it something new to eat? I'm still working on my system, not sure how long I'll stick with the two buckets, I just can't seem to get one to cook well, while being used.

Are these 5 gal. buckets? You must have a lot of chooks! Nah...I don't think that's too long at all. I think Kassaundra keeps hers in a big trash can and you can bet she never fully gets to the bottom of that thing...just keeps adding and using, so you know that some of those grains deep in the bottom have been fermented for quite some time.

I am about to drill some holes in the bottom of the bucket that will hold the feed and fit into bucket #2 . I am unclear about the right size of holes. My feed will be at least half mash and half grains. Don't want them too big for too much of the mixture to get through or too small to cause the draining time to take too long. Thanks.
(Will be using the pointy panel drill bit.)


I'll be doing Bee's backslop method.

The holes I used were the exact size of the holes in my colander in the kitchen. I have a short drill bit that is a starter bit for screws that makes it easier because it's a short drill and punch maneuver that makes it quick. I just sat down with the bucket between my legs and started drilling and turning. The bottom and the bottom half have quite a few rows of holes, the upper half not so many but more than a few.

 

[Lacy Blues]

This makes good sense to me. Just one question. What is ACV? I think I need a dictionary for the acronyms used on this thread. Perhaps I'm just a bit slow in picking things up!! Ha!

No dictionary required... just ask. No one will think anything bad. Some threads I'm on, they talk about different breeds of chickens using acronyms and it drives me crazy! So, I know how you feel.

 

[Ashdoes]

I have 15. Five assorted layers, 7 LF Cochins and three silkies. I don't fill the 5 gallon buckets all the way, maybe just above half full each. Each amount of food last quite a while, long enough for the second bucket to cook for a bit. I'm trying to perfect my system, I worry if I fill the bucket too much the second bucket will sit too long and go bad.
Here's a question for you Beekissed. My chickies are between 10 and 14 weeks (this is a guestimate, I've lost track a bit) we have hawks that perch on posts at our back acre, and of course fly around infrequently. At what age or size do you think my flock will be big enough to free range? I'm thinking we may have to forgo it till spring, even though I can't wait to see them wandering the backyard. I just don't want them snatched by hawks. Right now they're in a 900sq ft. run, so plenty of room.

Besides them wanting to eat my chickens, I do enjoy these guys. Those posts are at the very back of our property in our unfenced acre. When they fly over calling each other, my chickens duck, even though the run it totally covered. It's pretty funny to watch.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have 15. Five assorted layers, 7 LF Cochins and three silkies. I don't fill the 5 gallon buckets all the way, maybe just above half full each. Each amount of food last quite a while, long enough for the second bucket to cook for a bit. I'm trying to perfect my system, I worry if I fill the bucket too much the second bucket will sit too long and go bad.
Here's a question for you Beekissed. My chickies are between 10 and 14 weeks (this is a guestimate, I've lost track a bit) we have hawks that perch on posts at our back acre, and of course fly around infrequently. At what age or size do you think my flock will be big enough to free range? I'm thinking we may have to forgo it till spring, even though I can't wait to see them wandering the backyard. I just don't want them snatched by hawks. Right now they're in a 900sq ft. run, so plenty of room.
Besides them wanting to eat my chickens, I do enjoy these guys. Those posts are at the very back of our property in our unfenced acre. When they fly over calling each other, my chickens duck, even though the run it totally covered. It's pretty funny to watch.

Beautiful birds aren't they.

 

[Beekissed]

With those beauties on hand you will need a good dog outside all the time and plenty of hides. Especially since these birds have been raised in confinement all their days up 'til now. If you want to truly free range there are certain breeds that have a better survival rate...you might get by with Cochins..maybe....but not with the Silkies..rarely do they make good free range survivors. They are virtually defenseless in the open areas as they have no wings to give them speed during evasive maneuvers and they are small enough to invite hawk predation.

They could, however, provide bait until your Cochins can get away.....

Might want to range them in lightweight but well built tractors instead.

 

[colburg]

I am about to drill some holes in the bottom of the bucket that will hold the feed and fit into bucket #2 . I am unclear about the right size of holes. My feed will be at least half mash and half grains. Don't want them too big for too much of the mixture to get through or too small to cause the draining time to take too long. Thanks.
(Will be using the pointy panel drill bit.) 1/32 bit is waaay too small(I tried it accidentally). 3/32 is OK, but slow draining with layer/scratch combo, so far very little feed getting through, but it's ok if you backslop. I did about 100 holes in the bottom plus about 8 columns of holes up the sides, just don't go higher than the top of your bottom bucket.


I'll be doing Bee's backslop method. This works great.

 

[Lacy Blues]

I have 15. Five assorted layers, 7 LF Cochins and three silkies. I don't fill the 5 gallon buckets all the way, maybe just above half full each. Each amount of food last quite a while, long enough for the second bucket to cook for a bit. I'm trying to perfect my system, I worry if I fill the bucket too much the second bucket will sit too long and go bad.
Here's a question for you Beekissed. My chickies are between 10 and 14 weeks (this is a guestimate, I've lost track a bit) we have hawks that perch on posts at our back acre, and of course fly around infrequently. At what age or size do you think my flock will be big enough to free range? I'm thinking we may have to forgo it till spring, even though I can't wait to see them wandering the backyard. I just don't want them snatched by hawks. Right now they're in a 900sq ft. run, so plenty of room.
Besides them wanting to eat my chickens, I do enjoy these guys. Those posts are at the very back of our property in our unfenced acre. When they fly over calling each other, my chickens duck, even though the run it totally covered. It's pretty funny to watch.

Do you know what kind of hawks they are? Depending on the size of the hawk, your large fowl will be safe... maybe not the silkies. We have small hawks around here and they don't bother with my chickens at all. However, I keep my bantams in covered runs.

There are some red-tailed hawks about a mile or so away. I hope they don't come calling. Red-tails are very large hawks!

 

[Ashdoes]

With those beauties on hand you will need a good dog outside all the time and plenty of hides.  Especially since these birds have been raised in confinement all their days up 'til now.  If you want to truly free range there are certain breeds that have a better survival rate...you might get by with Cochins..maybe....but not with the Silkies..rarely do they make good free range survivors.  They are virtually defenseless in the open areas as they have no wings to give them speed during evasive maneuvers and they are small enough to invite hawk predation. 

They could, however, provide bait until your Cochins can get away.....   

Might want to range them in lightweight but well built tractors instead. 

 

Lmao! I knew those silkies would be good for something! I actually plan to keep the silkies in the run, hubby loves them. Hmmm, will continue to contemplate free range, and keep them safe till Spring at least. Thanks!

 

[Miss Lydia]

How far back on the back slop method?

 

[Ashdoes]

Do you know what kind of hawks they are?  Depending on the size of the hawk, your large fowl will be safe... maybe not the silkies.  We have small hawks around here and they don't bother with my chickens at all.  However, I keep my bantams in covered runs.

There are some red-tailed hawks about a mile or so away.  I hope they don't come calling.  Red-tails are very large hawks!

I'm not sure what kind they are. But, that back acre is a through way for jack rabbits and cotton tails, since none of the neighbors around us have fencing. I swear those things walk right under the Hawks, and they never go for them. We thought maybe the Hawks were juveniles, but won't know till next season, since I have nothing to compare them to. I know for sure the Cochins and my layers will end up bigger then these guys, but again, I don't know if the Hawks will be getting any bigger.
Is there someone on BYC that could identify them? That would be helpful.