neutralizing quail poop

[cruisermedic]

You ferment it by putting it in a bucket with water. All the way under water. Put it in a bag so when its pulled up it drains.

I'd really reduce the number of birds. Dry it faster by placing fans on the ends of the dates blowing across the poop.

 

[cruisermedic]

The fans also cause enough turbulence that flies don't really like it and land a lot less.

 

[quailmann]

Thanks cruisermedic, even thought of running a blow drier on top do that it might dry faster for the heat.

T he issue is that it has not yet become profitable. Once I reach 500 layers I will move out to a rented space with lots of garden. Then I'd be able to do everything God Willing

I'm going to ferment today.

 

[cruisermedic]

I don't know the weather in your area, but I would not use heat. My birds hate the heat. They drink more water and tend to lay around. And anything that puts out heat uses more electricity. A small box fan or round hamster wheel type fan will move lots of air.

These things grow and reproduce so fast it won't take you long to get to 500, but your going to needs much much more space.

 

[quailmann]

Quite warm here. Just these few days a bit rainy but still warm. Yes space is an issue.

Or I'm thinking of the idea of cleaning out daily, into an aluminum bucket and even putting on a kerosene stove to dry it

Have to do something soon. The Wife isn't really smiling

 

[cruisermedic]

Do not use heat. It will stink to high heaven. The sheer amount of poop is crazy but to heat it on a stove? Clean more than once daily. Put fans on it. Take outside and spread it to dry. Flush it down your toilet. Whatever you do don't try cooking it to dry it!!!

 

[Sill]

I use 26% protein turkey starter since that is what I can get locally. I mix it in equal amounts with water, with what I'm feeding now it's three cups dry feed with three cups of water. I add a couple of dollops of plain yogurt, but that is optional. I let it soak at room temperature for 24 hours, scoop it into dishes add any toppings/treats for the day and take it out to my birds. They about tear my hand off if I don't get it into their cages fast enough!

Here is what it looks like before they get it.
This day they had it topped by broccoli flowers, yogurt, red chili flakes, and crushed egg shells.



This day it was topped by red chili flakes, yogurt and oyster/egg shells.
They got a "side dish" of watermelon, a summer treat when it's 112 degrees outside!


And here is a group of youngsters eating it.

 

[quailmann]

Cruisemedic you probably saved my life!
Looking into fans. It might be cheap lets see.

That's great Sill, I'll do that today. Is there any indication that things have gone wrong? (smell etc)?

 

[Sill]

Cruisemedic you probably saved my life!
Looking into fans. It might be cheap lets see.

That's great Sill, I'll do that today. Is there any indication that things have gone wrong? (smell etc)?

Since I don't ferment my quail feed longer than 24 hours like one would for chickens I've never had it gone wrong. When I first started using fermented feed for my quail I was fermenting for a few days like I do for my chickens. They didn't like it, and the longer if fermented the more they hated it and would waste it. By only doing the 24 hour soak they are still getting the benefit of soaked seed but none of the sourness that they don't like (and chickens love!) Quail are not chickens, I would not try fermenting it longer again. When I'm done feeding it in the morning I get the next day's feed on to soak. It's plenty of time for quail. I've also tried it wetter and drier but a 50-50% ratio of dry feed to water seems to work the best for quail. I think I'll start a thread about this. I know there are others out there that do this for their quail, and others might want to try it.

 

[Sill]

Since I don't ferment my quail feed longer than 24 hours like one would for chickens I've never had it gone wrong. When I first started using fermented feed for my quail I was fermenting for a few days like I do for my chickens. They didn't like it, and the longer if fermented the more they hated it and would waste it. By only doing the 24 hour soak they are still getting the benefit of soaked seed but none of the sourness that they don't like (and chickens love!) Quail are not chickens, I would not try fermenting it longer again. When I'm done feeding it in the morning I get the next day's feed on to soak. It's plenty of time for quail. I've also tried it wetter and drier but a 50-50% ratio of dry feed to water seems to work the best for quail. I think I'll start a thread about this. I know there are others out there that do this for their quail, and others might want to try it.

I forgot to add that depending on your feed ingredients you will need to experiment with the water ratio. When I ran out of my regular organic feed I had to get some that had more soy (organic) and the soybean meal tends to get gummy with too much water. You'll have to experiment with your feed to see what works best. I use currently use Ranchway organic 26% turkey starter.