***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[Ksane]

Kass, I saw that, too :-O
I've been trying to keep the chick feed (28% Game Bird starter) fermented and it isn't going well like the whole grains. I just threw out my 3rd batch of it because it smelled really bad. I was trying to keep it a little thick because it's a soupy nasty mess otherwise, that's probably where I went wrong. With the chicks I'm just going to soak 1 days worth of feed in hot water and apple cider vinegar. I'm too scared of making them sick. I go through the soaked grain for the big birds fast enough that the longest it sits in 48 hrs so I'll continue with that. I really did want to feed the babies fermented mash but it's too messy. I do give them some of the fermented grains and they love that so I'll keep doing that.

Bardies-any hatch yet?

Anyone who knows OEGB (Carl?) I got a Brown Red rooster and Birchen hen awhile back at the auction. He's got gold lacing on his chest, is that how Brown Red's are? They've filled out a ton since I got them and I love feeding them. He gets so excited and runs up dancing when he sees me. They're on the heated deck in a huge crate, I suppose they'll stay there through the winter because he's such a funny little guy and I've gotten pretty attached.

 

[Kassaundra]

Kass, I saw that, too :-O
I've been trying to keep the chick feed (28% Game Bird starter) fermented and it isn't going well like the whole grains. I just threw out my 3rd batch of it because it smelled really bad. I was trying to keep it a little thick because it's a soupy nasty mess otherwise, that's probably where I went wrong. With the chicks I'm just going to soak 1 days worth of feed in hot water and apple cider vinegar. I'm too scared of making them sick. I go through the soaked grain for the big birds fast enough that the longest it sits in 48 hrs so I'll continue with that. I really did want to feed the babies fermented mash but it's too messy. I do give them some of the fermented grains and they love that so I'll keep doing that.

Bardies-any hatch yet?

Anyone who knows OEGB (Carl?) I got a Brown Red rooster and Birchen hen awhile back at the auction. He's got gold lacing on his chest, is that how Brown Red's are? They've filled out a ton since I got them and I love feeding them. He gets so excited and runs up dancing when he sees me. They're on the heated deck in a huge crate, I suppose they'll stay there through the winter because he's such a funny little guy and I've gotten pretty attached.

Your problem is the game bird feed, I believe it has animal protein, I would never ferment that, one animal protein STINKS when fermented, and two animal protein does not need fermenting to aid digestion and nutrient absorbsion.

At 48 hours for the grain I think isn't long enough, at that time the juice is fermented, and the grain is soaked, but I don't think it has had time to really ferment the grain itself. If it was me I would shoot for about double that time if you can logistically, I know your dealing w/ much more volume, if you can't that is still good they are still getting ferment and it will help w/ nutrient availablilty and they will like it MUCH better then dry.

 

[bardies]

I am in near tears...

Last night the mamma hen and chick were secure in their box. It is an outside pen... double wired so a chick shouldn't be able to get out. Secure with two solid walls. Then the pair were in a small kennel. I had it locked the first night. Second night (last night) I didn't. The kennel was interior to the pen. I heard her purring and the chick trilling in there last night. This morning when I opened the main coop up, it was early and she was still inside the kennel. This afternoon, after I got back from the city...she is there. No chick. I think she's mad and frustrated and still maternal. She wouldn't leave the pen. I have no idea what might have happened. There are still no holes in the pen. I even looked under her wings, nothing. In the litter of the kennel, nothing. Crawled into the pen, nothing.

That and no pips yet.

I am just so fricken sad....past near tears now. Thanks for being there guys...I know you understand.

 

[Kassaundra]

I am in near tears...

Last night the mamma hen and chick were secure in their box. It is an outside pen... double wired so a chick shouldn't be able to get out. Secure with two solid walls. Then the pair were in a small kennel. I had it locked the first night. Second night (last night) I didn't. The kennel was interior to the pen. I heard her purring and the chick trilling in there last night. This morning when I opened the main coop up, it was early and she was still inside the kennel. This afternoon, after I got back from the city...she is there. No chick. I think she's mad and frustrated and still maternal. She wouldn't leave the pen. I have no idea what might have happened. There are still no holes in the pen. I even looked under her wings, nothing. In the litter of the kennel, nothing. Crawled into the pen, nothing.

That and no pips yet.

I am just so fricken sad....past near tears now. Thanks for being there guys...I know you understand.

I am so sorry, losing the babies is hard, and it makes you neurotic w/ worry for the others when you can't figure out what happened.

 

[Kyzmette]

OMG bardies, I'm so sorry! I would be angry and crying and turning everything upside down just like you. I know the odds are impossible, but I'm hoping you'll walk outside into the silence and hear a lone peeping and find her running around in the grass, calling your name.

 

[BetsyOK]

So sad to read of this. We try and try, but it doesn't always work out. Most all of us have been there one way or another, so we do know how you feel.

 

[artsyrobin]

Quote: I am so sorry!!! if she is still broody, could you give her a couple eggs out of the bator?? I hate mysterious disappearances! or maybe someone close to you has a chick or two you could give her? I am so paranoid about hens and chicks, i bring them inside, and put them in the bathroom tub on littler... or in a spare cage in the house..... i had one disappear and never did figure it out

 

[mjgigax]

I am in near tears...

Last night the mamma hen and chick were secure in their box. It is an outside pen... double wired so a chick shouldn't be able to get out. Secure with two solid walls. Then the pair were in a small kennel. I had it locked the first night. Second night (last night) I didn't. The kennel was interior to the pen. I heard her purring and the chick trilling in there last night. This morning when I opened the main coop up, it was early and she was still inside the kennel. This afternoon, after I got back from the city...she is there. No chick. I think she's mad and frustrated and still maternal. She wouldn't leave the pen. I have no idea what might have happened. There are still no holes in the pen. I even looked under her wings, nothing. In the litter of the kennel, nothing. Crawled into the pen, nothing.

That and no pips yet.

I am just so fricken sad....past near tears now. Thanks for being there guys...I know you understand.

I know the feeling well -

 

[Ksane]

Kim, I'm so sorry :-( That's why I don't let mine hatch and raise eggs. Too many snakes, dangers and accidents. I've got 6 chicks out, the Sizzles aren't due to hatch til Thur/Fri.
Kass, you're right-I checked the Game Bird starter label and it's got animal protein in it. Humph. I wonder if I tossed those batches and didn't need to. I'm not sure how confidant I feel about feeding it to baby chicks. I've always wet their crumbles with hot water so i'll just keep doing that and adh ACV to it before i feed it. Does it *have to be the kind with the mother? Is the other stuff considered worthless? The babies do get some of the fermented grain so that'll help.

 

[bardies]

I'd do stuff a little different, but I'd still give the chick to the hen. I think it was very happy up until. The hen is back in the coop with all the rest of the girls...I dont think she's still broody. Do you guys think it was too cold for snakes last night? I really thought that the fencing was chick secure,... but if it wasn't - and mom couldn't get out to watch over him - we've got cats - one of which is young and not chick tested. Not sure what is worse - not knowing, or finding bodies everywhere.

Thanks for the hugs. They are working!

Now I just need my batch of silkies to hatch a few for me. Tomorrows the day, but historically I hatch late.

Mitzi, glad to hear your guys are chugging along. Yay!

I am going outside in a moment. Just in case.