Hatching Eggs / Paypal CHAT Thread

[SewChaos]

Sorry but I would say roo. Too much of a comb at such a young age.

I think I'll hang on it him/her for a while longer. Hopefully it will become more apparent with age. Or it will start crowing. I know there's one out there that sounds like a dying cat. Every morning for the last week at 4 am. Like clockwork. Right outside my window. My Mr is less than thrilled. I don't know which one it is to move it to the bacholer coop.

 

[debs_flock]

Quote: x2

 

[flocksalot]

Flocks... 100% fertility on the Khaki Campbells!!!

Awesome!

Hello All!!! Update: Minnesota seems to be coming out of the Ice Age. I will be working on starts this week and next, they will be out by next weekend. We got asked to present at a huge gardening event this weekend....but I am working on it as fast as I can!!! I think I figured out my chick death problem

. I believe they got Botulism from the fermented feed! I have taken them off and we will see, but the symptoms and patterns match. I am not sure what we did wrong in our batch, but I am holding off on the ACV I have for people until I can check the PH. Has anyone else had any problems? I wanted to warn everyone!!! I think it is probably due to inadequate aeration....but I want to make the vinegar is working for everyone!!!! I am also working on treats this week for treat boxes. I owe 10 of them!!!! They are coming.....life has been crazy with chicks dying and big presentations, but I have all my supplies and plans for what is coming your way!!!! Check out our new farm page : https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lost-Boys-Acre/520293461367120. If you like it for me, I might send extra good treats

I had something similar when I got some silkies from a friend. She uses FF and sent some along. Chicks got wry neck and I lost one. Turns out she doesn't really ferment. Her feed is only wet. Yes chickens love wet feed, but man it can mold quickly. Epsom salts took care of the other chicks and back to my own feed. We do FF over the warm seasons, but because we have a LOT of birds it's too much to keep in the house over the colder seasons. Glad you figured out the problem!

 

[flocksalot]

What a morning! My iPad wont connect to the Internet, so I had to dig through my hubbies crap to find his. Our Mac is in need of some serious repair, so here I was without any connection to the outside world! Man that's just not right. Hubby better not try to hide his iPad again! Well really he didn't try. He's just a slob.

Well better go bring the horses in as too much grass too quickly and we will have sick horses. I also need to set up a pen for the little turkeys to run around in the grass.

 

[Bettacreek]

I ferment the day I feed. No holding it over. Use yeast from a bulk food store (sam's or costco). No worries about feed molding up if you're wetting/fermenting and feeding an hour later.

 

[kraftyladies]

I ferment the day I feed. No holding it over. Use yeast from a bulk food store (sam's or costco). No worries about feed molding up if you're wetting/fermenting and feeding an hour later.

so you are just wetting, not really fermenting? I think I might just keep working on my fodder system and not try to ferment feed. Sounds like it can easily turn into a disaster and go awry.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

I ferment the day I feed. No holding it over. Use yeast from a bulk food store (sam's or costco). No worries about feed molding up if you're wetting/fermenting and feeding an hour later.

so you are just wetting, not really fermenting? I think I might just keep working on my fodder system and not try to ferment feed. Sounds like it can easily turn into a disaster and go awry.

Yeah beta you aren't really fermenting since it never sits and "cooks"

Krafty..... You can ferment down here year round easily. If you turn over the feed quick enough there is never a chance for it to bad. Air flow and stirring us vital as is ACV with the mother. Our buckets turn over every 4 days and we haven't had any mold

 

[flocksalot]

so you are just wetting, not really fermenting? I think I might just keep working on my fodder system and not try to ferment feed. Sounds like it can easily turn into a disaster and go awry.

The smell test is the most accurate I know in checking feed. If it smells like yeast it's fermenting, but if it smells sour or mildewed its not good. My dad always used to say go smell the feed to see which batch was ready.

Fermented feed should also get a kind of scum on top. That's the mother. It's also really important to keep all the feed covered in liquid if what my dad always said is right. It's the same way I make pickles. But the smell was always the test. If it smelled like bread(think sourdough)making day it was ready to use. I think adding yeast would help in that.

Oh my lord! There's a chick chirping at me from one of the bators again. You know I'm starting to think I should just leave then in there with no added water and turning away. I have the best hatches that way. Isn't that silly.

 

[kraftyladies]

Yeah beta you aren't really fermenting since it never sits and "cooks"

Krafty..... You can ferment down here year round easily. If you turn over the feed quick enough there is never a chance for it to bad. Air flow and stirring us vital as is ACV with the mother. Our buckets turn over every 4 days and we haven't had any mold

As many as I have to feed, it shouldn't be a problem. Maybe I will attempt it. Soon... hmmmm

 

[kraftyladies]

I guess I just need to learn how much to make. I generally go through a 50# bag of pellets a day for my grown birds. Sure would be nice to cut that down. I reallllyyyy need to cut back on feed costs, or will be cutting back on birds.
I am letting 8 birds go today, but only getting 2 in return. That's the kind of chicken math I need right now. Except that my bator is almost full. Again.