Montana

[Azriel]

Karla, get some all natural elderberry surup from a health food store and take 1TBS 2x daily. Its great for the immune system. Hope your feeling better soon.
Has anyone tried fermenting food for your chickens? I'm going to try it this summer. I don't think I keep it warm enough in my house to start it now, but I'll get it going as soon as it warms up enough outside. It sounds like its very good for the chickens. They use less food,have larger eggs, & stronger egg shells, meat birds grow faster and have better meat, and less poo. Sounds like its worth giving it a try.

 

[ReptileMom]

Do you mean fermenting layer mix? How long would you ferment it for? Do you have a link for the information about it? I am interested in learning more.

 

[karlamaria]

Thamks for the health tip azriel will look into into it. Now what's this fermenting? Tell us more ! Hi reptile mom

 

[RoyalT]

I have a bucket fermenting in my kitchen right now I'll let you know how it goes!

 

[karlamaria]

Well every chicken is laying, and bright and early ! Glad there finally all on tract. Looks like omlets for breakfast tomorrow . And giving a dozen here and there to neighbors . I'm sure there going to be glad to get the eggs again.

 

[montanachicks]

I'd also like to know more about the fermenting.....

 

[Azriel]

Fermenting sounds pretty easy, I'm cheep and keep my house too cold (56) burr, It needs to be warm enough to start the fermenting process. You mix your layer feed with water and a bit of ACV with the Mother, let it ferment for about 3 days, drain the feed, you can then mix the feed with some grains or dry feed or just feed as is. Keep the water to start another batch. For daily feeding you would have to have 3 tubs going if you feed all of it, or if you just feed part, you can add new feed every time you take some out and also add a bit more water.
RoyalT, be sure you let us know, I've read that the chickens use less feed, and its so much better for them. I would think that its kind of the same as using silage for cattle, it makes the feed more digestible and they utilize it better.
There is a topic on it in the Feeding and Watering your flock section

 

[RoyalT]

My house is pretty chilly, too and my ACV didn't have mother in it >.< so I'll keep you posted. I'm keeping it covered but not air tight, hoping it populates itself when I stir

 

[Azriel]

RoyalT, It should if its warm enough, when its ready it should have a good sourdough smell. How are you doing yours, a pail in another pail for draining, keeping the water for the next batch, or the all in all out method? If yours works in a cool house, I might give it a try inside also. I had thought about starting it in the basement with a heat lamp on it. I would really like to get the chicks started on it in addition to their dry food.
How did everyone fair the storm. I was talking to a friend in Idaho and they got 8+", I only got about 3". I think it hit the SW part of the state the hardest. Bright and sunny here this morning, I guess I should get out and let the chickens out. I've got to get me an automatic chicken door. I've been looking at the doors that MurryMcMurry has, they are pricey, but sure have some nice features. That might be a good use of part of my tax return.
Karla, I'm going to try to get your chicks picked out and penned separate from the rest of the chicks by Wed so I can better study them to make sure I have pullets for you.

 

[montanachicks]

I found the Bragg Organic ACV (with the mother) in WalMart -- 32 oz bottle for $5.98 . I would love to try this, but the only place I can keep the buckets is in the garage-- which the temperature is usually around 50-55 in there. Would like to know if it'd work in the cooler temperatures?