***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[artsyrobin]

Those of you that do fermented feed, what grains do you use? We sprout wheat berries but thats about it for whole grains and I would like to transition to fermented feed. Right now they are all on unmedicated all natural chick starter. How can I transition them smoothly from pellets? Also where do you source your grains? We get our wheat berries from the coop but I dont see big bags of oats or barley.

i ferment crumble, scratch and water with acv added- replenish after filling up there pan- pretty basic, it can get real complicated

 

[ashtree]

i ferment crumble, scratch and water with acv added- replenish after filling up there pan- pretty basic, it can get real complicated

Yea, Im definitely looking for simple. So how long do you give it to ferment before feeding it? 48 hours? By the way, I love your avatar chick. Such a cutie

 

[artsyrobin]

Quote: i got a 5 gal bucket and put crumble 3/4, a can of scratch and water to add to make it about the consistancy of biscuit batter, it took a couple days to start bubbling, my birds love the stuff and even the guineas will hop in for a snack! it smells like sourdough-



that is gizmo in my avatar pic, she is a tiny serama- even by serama standards

 

[NanaKat]

I set 14 Serama eggs from Bhep in North Carolina this evening. Two are frizzle. My granddaughter has become interested in them so I thought we would try hatching some.

Also wanted to show Amazing Mandy with her brood....and a few other chicks she took on a grasshopper hunt. Mandy is a Cochin/Wyandotte hen. She hatched six chicks and I gave her 10 more to raise. She is escorting about 25 up and down the driveway and into the front yard. The other mother is a Blue Wyandotte who is more interested in the Blue Columbian rooster. There are 38 chicks between the two hens and they coop at night together.

They moved back and forth across the driveway all the way to the end of the driveway. Then she took them into the lot and worked their way back to the barn.


Totally in step and a successful student

 

[Loriemarler]

Does anyone raise lionshead or mini lop rabbits? I'm thinking about getting my boy a friend (pet only) I have to get him neutered tho first, I called a few vets and its twice as expensive as my cat was! Anyone know of an affordable rabbit vet? I don't mind paying that much if I have to. Just seems strange I guess, I mean his parts are literally just hanging there....So anyway, Id like to get him a friend but it will probably be a few weeks before I'm ready (also making a larger hutch for outdoors).

I raise minilops and jersey woolies. I don't have any minilop babies right now but I do have adults.

 

[subhanalah]

IN the summer time especially, it is best to stay away from ACV due to how it compromises calcium uptake due to the heat.

Yea, Im definitely looking for simple. So how long do you give it to ferment before feeding it? 48 hours? By the way, I love your avatar chick. Such a cutie

I find it easier than managing dry food.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/901514/fermented-feed-should-you-be-doing-it

I've had a lot of questions lately when I post my favorite fermented feed guide on BYC.
http://tikktok.wordpress.com/2014/04/13/fermented-feed-faq/

I don't want to hijack that thread, so I'm going to quote it here and answer what I can.

Originally Posted by onionheadtg2014 


I am definitely going to try this because I have about 50 birds and feed cost is outrageous.... I was wondering though, how much water should I use to how much feed? You said you use it. How much should I give to them for about 50 birds if I feed once a day?  Please just educate me on how you feed and ferment lol.... The article was very helpful but I need more one on one lol.....

I fill the container a little less than half way, then Fill it past the water level a bit. Stir it through, it should be pretty hard to stir by the time you are finished.

That's when starting a new bucket. If you already have some fermented food, you add a scoop or two to the water and stir it up before adding the dry and incorporating that to a uniform consistency.

Others have said an adult chicken eats from 1/2-1 cup per day. It varies dependent on forage available as well as other things included in the diet, such as scraps.

If they don't have any left the next day, feed more this time. If they have a lot left over, feed less.

As with mixing it, determining how much to feed your flock is too dependent on too many variables for any one answer to be correct.

p.s. I stir daily when starting a new ferment, but not after the first time. If it has been pre treated with fermented media, I don't stir, but I go through it pretty quickly. I keep it covered slightly to keep humidity in. If the sides get food on them, it can cause mold from not being in contact with the ferment culture and drying out too much.

 

[Kyzmette]

Okay plant geniuses, what is this vining plant?

 

[ashtree]

Okay plant geniuses, what is this vining plant?

looks like virginia creeper to me

 

[Loriemarler]

My golden neck d'uccle was taken by a hawk the other day. I saw 4 of them flying around yesterday so I am guessing they were looking for more snacks. We found a few if her feathers and a bug black feather far from where they usually hang out. She was my 7 yo son's favorite

 

[subhanalah]

I'm so sorry, Lorrie. The day I saw 5 hawks out here, I had lost a silkie that morning. Hopefully they learn to stay under cover.