Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[armorfirelady]

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.

Thats what I am going to use for the winter. I also thought today of an outside timer that goes on/off with the daylight. That way its not on 24/7 after the hens empty it but will be warm in AM when I take their food out. I have several extra timers so should work ok. I am going to put the water on a timer as well. That way it will start to melt in the morning & wont run all night when they are in the coop. Save electricity & be less of a fire hazard.

I lucked out the feed store has them on sale this week.

 

[Lacy Blues]

Identifying them will require an estimate on their size, wingspan, etc. I have a bird book but it is still packed away... we moved recently. If no one else can help, I'll see about digging that book out of storage.

 

[tallgrass]

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.

Check this out.

http://www.ehow.com/how_8154955_rid-redtailed-hawks.html

 

[Ashdoes]

Here's a close up of the lighter one.

 

[Beekissed]

I've been contemplatin' on this FF for the winter and I'm thinking that this last bucket will be the last bucket for the year until early spring/late winter rolls back around. The birds have got a good bowel flora going on and I worry about feeding them the wet feeds unless they can consume it all in one meal...which generally doesn't happen in the winter for my flock. They get fed in the morning during the winter months so they can eat on it all day, leaving nothing overnight for the rodents.

When giving cold, wet feeds to outside animals, this chills their core temps....not as much with chickens because the food is stored in the crop a bit, then in the next chamber, then the gizzard and will warm it's way through the system...but my birds are old and don't have a good layer of fat right now. I noticed they avoided the feed altogether this morning and this was feed left over from last night's feeding. I'm thinking that the cold, wet feed was not too appealing to an old, cold bird on a day like today.

I might go back to dry until March and then resume the FF. Still thinking on it....

They will still be getting their ACV in the water, so always getting a good probios shot in the gullet. Just not sure about feeding wet in the winter.

 

[armorfirelady]

You know, anytime I smelled it I thought it was fine, but how can something stay "good" after sitting for a week? Lol. the chickens eat it up, so i figure it's ok. Takes me a while to get used to something new, and I research a bit more then I should. Usually end up reading a book or three before I start a new project.

Quote:

I am using 2 buckets also and it takes about 5-7 days too, haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary with mine still looks and smells fine.

I started the FF Sept 4th with 5 gallon buckets. I only feed 4 hens so the food lasts a long time. about every 1 1/2 -2 weeks I added more grains & layer pellets to the bucket along with some water & a glug of ACV w/mother once in awhile.

I started a new 1 gallon bucket system of FF last week & a 2nd 1 gallon bucket system today. But my 5 gallon bucket still has some left in it along with about 2 cups of layer pellet sludge on the bottom. I used the liquid still in the 5 gallon bucket to start the 2nd batch.

That liquid is at least 2 weeks old. I havent added any water or mother to it in that long because I was trying to use the FF up. It still smells just fine even after a few days outside when its been to cold to encourage fementing. Couple days ago the sludge was solid like the stuff of you get on chicken noodle soup when it cools. I just mixed it all up and the hens licked their plate clean. In fact the dogs lick the bowl I use to take the food to run. I am guessing since they are all ate it it must be just fine.

I have never had the FF smell anything but the sour/sweet smell it should even the stuff thats been cooking for over a month now as I finished up the 5 gallon bucket. The hens will get the sludge/FF left in the 5 gallon bucket tomorrow morning. I am guessing it will be licked clean. And whatever liquid is left over will go into the new 2nd batch since its still absorbing liquid. The new buckets are on the kitchen windowsill for now keeping warm as they cook. The cats havent taken a liking to it so its safe for now.

I think that as long as there is enough for the Mother to feed on, the liquid shouldnt turn and just keep on fermenting. I think my month of using the same liquid basically shows that

Hope it helps

 

[armorfirelady]

I've been contemplatin' on this FF for the winter and I'm thinking that this last bucket will be the last bucket for the year until early spring/late winter rolls back around. The birds have got a good bowel flora going on and I worry about feeding them the wet feeds unless they can consume it all in one meal...which generally doesn't happen in the winter for my flock. They get fed in the morning during the winter months so they can eat on it all day, leaving nothing overnight for the rodents.

When giving cold, wet feeds to outside animals, this chills their core temps....not as much with chickens because the food is stored in the crop a bit, then in the next chamber, then the gizzard and will warm it's way through the system...but my birds are old and don't have a good layer of fat right now. I noticed they avoided the feed altogether this morning and this was feed left over from last night's feeding. I'm thinking that the cold, wet feed was not too appealing to an old, cold bird on a day like today.

I might go back to dry until March and then resume the FF. Still thinking on it....

They will still be getting their ACV in the water, so always getting a good probios shot in the gullet. Just not sure about feeding wet in the winter.

Interesting. Its been in the 30s/40s the last few nights & only in the 50s tops during the day. My hens are still eating theirs clean. After they forage thru their runs of course. I have added some extra corn to my newest batch because I have read corn helps them keep warm (?)

I wonder if the heated dog bowl would keep it warm enough that it would be like warm oatmeal on a cold day? I am going to try the heated dog bowl theory when the temps start dropping during the day. I have a feeling its going to be soon......frost warning out for tonight already here.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I've been contemplatin' on this FF for the winter and I'm thinking that this last bucket will be the last bucket for the year until early spring/late winter rolls back around. The birds have got a good bowel flora going on and I worry about feeding them the wet feeds unless they can consume it all in one meal...which generally doesn't happen in the winter for my flock. They get fed in the morning during the winter months so they can eat on it all day, leaving nothing overnight for the rodents.

When giving cold, wet feeds to outside animals, this chills their core temps....not as much with chickens because the food is stored in the crop a bit, then in the next chamber, then the gizzard and will warm it's way through the system...but my birds are old and don't have a good layer of fat right now. I noticed they avoided the feed altogether this morning and this was feed left over from last night's feeding. I'm thinking that the cold, wet feed was not too appealing to an old, cold bird on a day like today.

I might go back to dry until March and then resume the FF. Still thinking on it....

They will still be getting their ACV in the water, so always getting a good probios shot in the gullet. Just not sure about feeding wet in the winter.

Very good info, I'm thinking good ole warm oatmeal over winter may be good for them. I also use ACV in my waterers. I was noticing the ff I put out this morning didn't get gulped down like it had on other mornings, it's cold and rainy here today. I'm hoping we'll have some warm up and i'll be able to finish off my 2 buckets before real cold sets in for good.

 

[Beekissed]

Me too...if not, I have no compunctions about dumping it where the dog and birds can eat it at will. It's only part of a bucket...and maybe the wild animals need a gut booster too?

 

[colburg]

How far back on the back slop method?

A whole 2 buckets. Not very long, but it worked just like Bee said it would.