Meatie Experiment: FF 'vs' Crumbles

[jrsckn]

We don't have a fenced yard yet and are on the outskirts of a small town that has feral cats and loose dogs so they won't get to "free range" but I plan to at least tractor them. Since I have more chicks than I planned, I thought about 3 separate tractors : 1 - just crumbles, 2 - fermented crumbles, and 3 - fermented crumbles and grains. Hopefully the weather cooperates and I can get them outside within the next couple weeks.

I'm still surprised at how little smell there is with 36 chicks on my small porch, even if the growth rate is slower, ff provides a viable option for people who don't have a lot of room and want to raise CX and keep the smell down.

One thing I am extremely curious about is how much weight in the chicks is water weight. I haven't been able to track water consumption because I have to change it so often but I wonder if that's part of the hughe difference in weight. I guess I'll find out in 6 more weeks lol.

 

[jrsckn]

Day 15 6/13/12 Wed. Week 2 weigh in

Total feed to date : 34C CC - 33C eaten 60C fermented - 48C eaten

CC weight in oz. : 11.25, 15.5, 12.75, 11.5, 14.0, 14.5, 11.75, 10.75 = 101.75oz. / 8 chicks = 12.719 oz. average

FFC weight oz. : 10.125, 5.625, 8.125, 10.5, 11.0, 10.125, 8.875, 7.25, 10.5, 9.125, 8.875, 9.875, 10.75, 9.75, 8.75, 10.75, 8.375, 7.375 = 165.75 oz. / 18 chicks = 9.208 oz. average

( weight gained since Mon 6/11 CC 2.844oz. FFC 3.872 oz. - they're gaining fast now!)

Weight gain in the last week : FFC 4.9233oz. CC 7.6565oz.

Feed consumed in the past week : FFC 28C CC 23C Reminder: there are 8 CC and 18 FFC, they're eating nearly the same amt!

Average feed consumed CC : 2.875 C/chick FFC : 1.556C/chick

Ounces gained per C feed : CC 2.66oz./C FFC 3.164oz./C

Conclusion: Over the past week the FFC have significantly increased their feed to weight gain ratio becoming much more efficient than the CC gaining 0.5oz more per C fed. Last week, the CC were 2.4876 oz/C and FFC were 2.3582 oz/C. Overall, the FFC are behind in weight but I believe that is only because they didn't eat well for the first couple days. I can't wait for next week's weigh in!

 

[jrsckn]

Crumble chicks on the left, FFC on the right. Not much difference between the two, the CC are slightly larger and both are feathering the same

 

[myhubbycallsmechickeemama]

I have an electrified poultry net around my meatbirds. Works awesome!

Love that the FFC are catching up on conversion.

 

[unity]

Awesome! Love this experiment/thread! I can't wait to see how it turns out!

 

[myhubbycallsmechickeemama]

Do you mind if I use your research as a basis for my granddaughter's chicken 4H presentation on fermented feed?

 

[jrsckn]

Do you mind if I use your research as a basis for my granddaughter's chicken 4H presentation on fermented feed?

No, I don't mind at all, go right ahead!

 

[myhubbycallsmechickeemama]

Thank you very much!!

 

[hannahransom]

Just need to post so I can find this thread later. Kudos for this!

 

[jrsckn]

Day 16 6/16/12 Thurs

Finished bucket #9 started #11 fermenting
CC still on same food from day 15
Started 12 on 12 off feed schedule ( 10 days late per Welp guidelines )



Day 17 6/5/12 Fri

Finish bucket #10 started #12 fermenting - FFC are not eating 8C/day ; Total Fermented 84C , total eaten 68C
Fed CC 4C - (feeder wasn't empty, still had 1-2C); Total fed 46C , eaten approx 44-45C
1st 50lb bag of feed is gone

Calculations: 84C+46C = 130C / 5oz./C = 650oz. / 16 oz./lb = 40.625 lb fed to date. The other 9.375lb was eaten by my 10 layer chicks as well as some error in measurement



Day 18 6/16/12 Sat

Finish bucket #11 start #13 fermenting - Total fermented 92C - 76C eaten
Feed CC 4C - Total fed 50C



Day 19 6/17/12 Sun

Bucket #12 empty, started #14 fermenting - Total fermented 100, fed 84C
Fed CC 4C - Total 54C