NY chicken lover!!!!

[Sally8]

I think you mis-understood what I said...they do eat the fermented grains, but leave the "mash" that I mix in with it. So in the next morning, I find some powder mash left over.

After reading this post twice I think I have to agree. At times mine only want to eat the grains and not the mush. I know I over feed my chickens and even with winter coming on, I need to back off the grains and measure out the ff until I get the desired amount. My dogs eat way too much of the ff but unless I keep both dogs and chicks fenced in, everyone wants to hit them with cars. This past year I lost a cat, a dog and 2 chickens from being hit and I usually keep them inside the fence. Not one person stopped to tell me about it.
A while ago I fermented just grains and was amazed at how sweet it smelled and tasted. I wonder if that was even good for them?

 

[SunnysideupstateNY]

Sorry to see some of you lost chickens recently.

I finally got some plastic over the run, I'm still debating whether to put any on the sides, otherwise I figured I would just get some hay bales for the west side to block wind.
Also, I can't tell you how much I love pine needles in the run. It's so easy to turn over, nothing smells, drains well and it doesn't decompose like leaves do.

All this talk about fermenting feed got me thinking about actually trying it. Has anyone used kombucha as a starter instead of raw ACV?


Some pics to share

 

[Lynzi777]

I have to bring this up only because it was topic we all discussed a few weeks back - regarding the ads on the side of this forum?? Well I had been shopping for a nice pair of winter boots for weeks. So of course after just a few days of visiting a certain website for these boots that caught my eye, I started seeing them advertised on the side of this website. Well this last Monday I finally decided to ordered them. They were pricey but I finally said who cares, I need them, I need something that is going to last me, that is waterproof, etc. They came yesterday, I love them. This morning, I came on here to post about my lost hen and I noticed the same ad I had been seeing for the boots I ordered this week. Only today they were marked 25% off! I clicked on it to bring me to the site and they were $38 cheaper than the price I JUST paid! So I called the store and they credited me the difference! Moral to the story, regardless of how annoying those ads may seem to some, today they saved me $38.99!!! LOL

 

[miquwid]

The Chooks enjoying some Kale in the safety of the run...... The HAWKS have been relentless. Grrrrr!
On a side note I think I'm going to get a couple panels of clear roofing and attach them to the run as a wind barrier for the winter. How are you all faring the cold so far?!?!

Very cool!!!! My girls are doing well so far!!

I have to bring this up only because it was topic we all discussed a few weeks back - regarding the ads on the side of this forum?? Well I had been shopping for a nice pair of winter boots for weeks. So of course after just a few days of visiting a certain website for these boots that caught my eye, I started seeing them advertised on the side of this website. Well this last Monday I finally decided to ordered them. They were pricey but I finally said who cares, I need them, I need something that is going to last me, that is waterproof, etc. They came yesterday, I love them. This morning, I came on here to post about my lost hen and I noticed the same ad I had been seeing for the boots I ordered this week. Only today they were marked 25% off! I clicked on it to bring me to the site and they were $38 cheaper than the price I JUST paid! So I called the store and they credited me the difference! Moral to the story, regardless of how annoying those ads may seem to some, today they saved me $38.99!!! LOL

Rock on lynzi I haven't had much relatable advertising on my side.

So all 8 out of 9 eggs were laid in the silkie coop. There are three birds in the silkie coop two silkies and brabanter only the two silkies are laying the brabanter isn't yet not even squating shes about 8 months but whateves LOL so I think the silkies are talking to the other laying pullets and one hen to lay in there coop sneaky little aliens. Now they all have access to each others coops until lock up and use the same run and free range together same food and water access just different sleeping quarters. It works out good for the silkies that way. I'm telling you these silkies have to be up to something. But I should be happy that there are no buried eggs!

Have a good night

 

[rancher hicks]

I can't remember everyone's posts so here goes.

Lynzi- I have lav orps, but just thought 37 dollars was quite a bit, though I did pay $20 and picked them up. None is laying at the moment. Only the Ee's in the coop. I suspect they're taking a long break. I will be hatching when they start.

The snow was wicked here. DW wanted to drive north but I said I didn't so we stayed closer to home. We did go to Jo li me' for soup though. Hafners was awfully dark even though they had their Christmas settings up. Nice Poinsettias too.

Chicken laid some even though it's freezing cold and I wasn't home all day. The two chicks have two lights over them in case one goes out. I don't really want them but don't want them to die either.

I haven't covered the runs with plastic as it may get warm again. It usually does.

I flaired the plastic I did put up on the hoop coop out at the bottom and planted some Spearmint there. I hope it will grow some. I may do the same on the other runs but expect the snow will bring it down.

I still have to cover the garlic with straw and plant some more yet. I don't think it's to late.

DW has been sick with a cold and I'm still not 100%. I'm just not ready for winter. I really hate the cold. Not so much that really but I hate to go out at all. Cabin fever is the one things I don't suffer from.

Tab - DW has been nuts on Carters here buying stuff for the grandkids with her 20% off coupons. How big is Nora these days? Donovan is still new born size. He was only 7/6 when he was born.

She's buys all these cloths and then I've got to mail them south. It's making me crazy.
SIL is already talking about the next one. Says to DD if it's a boy can we name it Mark?

Guess he doesn't think it's to hard on DD cuz Gramma makes dinner and brings it over a lot. Plus we've had the Queen quite a bit.

 

[Gramma Chick]

Quote:
I only cover it because it is in the house & my hubby & son complain about the smell .
It is a loose cover ..nothing tight ...coz it will explode if put in glass with a tight cover

Mine only have fermented food ...so if some is left I just mix it in with the new .
Not sure they like the new mash ..they didnt clean it up like they usually do .
it has a different texture than they are used to ( pellets fermented have no texture at all )
I am mixing it with the pellets so it is more gradual .

Breella :
I have read not to cover it with a tight fitting lid, but to drape a cloth or a towe? l over it. It needs air flow over the water at the top. Also it should not be constantly available. f fermented feed should be fed only once or twice a DAY ?

Where did you read that ? I havent ever seen that . My chickens have been on just FF for at least a year.
They do get some scratch & sunflower seeds & bird seed , & veggies , fruit , leftovers , bread , yogurt

 

[armorfirelady]

 
I think you mis-understood what I said...they do eat the fermented grains, but leave the "mash" that I mix in with it. So in the next morning, I find some powder mash left over.

After reading this post twice I think I have to agree.  At times mine only want to eat the grains and not the mush. I know I over feed my chickens and even with winter coming on, I need to back off the grains and measure out the ff until I get the desired amount.  My dogs eat way too much of the ff but unless I keep both dogs and chicks fenced in, everyone wants to hit them with cars.  This past year I lost a cat, a dog and 2 chickens from being hit and I usually keep them inside the fence.  Not one person stopped to tell me about it.
A while ago I fermented just grains and was amazed at how sweet it smelled and tasted.  I wonder if that was even good for them?

Brealla I only feed fermented feed since I started last year. Oct 31 I started with grains only. I do add some fish meal and alfalfa to help rise the protein level up to 17% that I want. I never offer them dry, never had and have never had a problem. I've never read not to feed ff by itself.

Sally the girls love the grains and I agree it does have a nice sweet smell when fermenting

 

[Breella]

I only cover it because it is in the house & my hubby & son complain about the smell .
It is a loose cover ..nothing tight ...coz it will explode if put in glass with a tight cover

Mine only have fermented food ...so if some is left I just mix it in with the new .
Not sure they like the new mash ..they didnt clean it up like they usually do .
it has a different texture than they are used to ( pellets fermented have no texture at all )
I am mixing it with the pellets so it is more gradual .

Breella :
I have read not to cover it with a tight fitting lid, but to drape a cloth or a towe? l over it. It needs air flow over the water at the top. Also it should not be constantly available. f fermented feed should be fed only once or twice a DAY ?

Where did you read that ? I havent ever seen that . My chickens have been on just FF for at least a year.
They do get some scratch & sunflower seeds & bird seed , & veggies , fruit , leftovers , bread , yogur

That would be here:

http://www.gardenbetty.com/2013/05/why-and-how-to-ferment-your-chicken-feed/

Quote:
And scientifically it's a valid point, the bacteria that we have cultured by fermenting will not survive outside the bucket for long periods of time, different weather conditions. I would think it would actually go rancid like yoghurt if left out too long.

 

[armorfirelady]

I don't leave the ff out all day. They get 4 cups for 8 birds once a day. If their still hungry they need to forage for it, there is usually a little left over at roosting time and they finish it up in the morning, I feed around 2 now. So they forage all morning. Once the foraging is gone I might go back to twice a day but I don't know yet. When snow is on the ground for the winter they will get fruits and veggies I have been freezing all summer and fall.

 

[Gramma Chick]

I haven't covered the runs with plastic as it may get warm again. It usually does.

Guess he doesn't think it's to hard on DD cuz Gramma makes dinner and brings it over a lot. Plus we've had the Queen quite a bit.

Congrats on the New Grand baby ...People never think it is hard when some one else does all the work . I hope your wife is feeling better ...she should rest up some .

I put a blanket & 2 sheets on my chickens ! LOL
Brrr ! I just put a blanket in on one side of their run to block some air ..earlier today ..as chickens are goofy if you change too much .
Then when I saw it was 28 Degrees .I went out this eve ..& put up 2 sheets together to totally block that side off ...so they are a little warmer .
My son has a LAN party this weekend ...so he took all the extra blankets ...one is going to go in the coop when he brings it back .

see the 2 x 4 by the hens tail ? thats were the blanket ended .. I put a double sheet on the next section ...to get out they can push the sheet or go under the coop
No pop door for us ..though I was thinking of cutting one in the blanket .a pop blanket - .for them to push to get through