Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

[Sally Sunshine]

Sally, YAY! That is so exciting!

I thought it was complicated so I never did it, and someone on the NYDhatch thread made it simple for us!!!
FERMENTING FOR DUMMIES
or
FERMENTING FOR BEGINNERS lol

Its funny because I cleaned coops and after I cleaned and saw all that wasted mash and then saw the girls just pushing the mash all out of the feeder I thought I had been so stupid for so long NOT DOING it.... I am going to video tape the girls making the mess and then when they eat the mash FF!! Can you imagine how much time we will save if the amonia in the coop is put off for a longer time period too!! YAY only plusses here!! It may be more work feeding but that beats cleaning any day!!!

 

[heatherscooby77]

What kind of Cochin's are you hatching?? I got 4 out of my molted pen in the incubator now hoping some hatch!! First time doing this so fingers crossed. How are your molteds doing? Was thinking about you when we drove past the Grantville exit on our way to the FS!

I love them sooooooooo much. The mottled are awesome. I hatched LF b/b/s.

 

[Pentamom]

What a sweet baby!!! I found someone that wants to trade silkie peeps for ducklings, so YAY!!!

Lucky!!

I thought it was complicated so I never did it, and someone on the NYDhatch thread made it simple for us!!! FERMENTING FOR DUMMIES or FERMENTING FOR BEGINNERS lol Its funny because I cleaned coops today and after I saw all that wasted mash and then when I filled feed up and saw the girls just pushing the mash all out of the feeder I thought I had been so stupid for NOT DOING it.... I am going to video tape the girls making the mess and then when they eat the mash FF!! Can you imagine how much time we will save if the amonia in the coop is put off for a longer time period too!! YAY only plusses here!! It may be more work feeding but that beats cleaning any day!!! All I did was start with chick starter and a 5 gal bucket, starting with med chick starter for the chicks and will be doing with the mash for the others SOON! Several PA'er do it... Bruce does, Chad how is bruce? added some warm water and added UP ACV with "the mother" about 1.5 cups and the feed slowly and kept adding water as needed until it was mixed well and about 6 inches from the top of the bucket. Keep in a warm place 65-75 degrees for 2-4 days so its starts fermenting..... then you only strain the feed you will use and replace that much feed and add water as needed. Sorta like sour dough bread, you need the "starter" so you gotta start that process and then it keeps on going! This is a paste from my notes from several people so far... and then the link at the bottom is a WONDERFUL thread read!! my notes so far and they are from several dif people LOL [COLOR=993366]What the heck is fermented feed and why on earth would you want to give it to chickens? Fermentation of foods has been done for hundreds of years by many cultures. If you have ever consumed cheese, yogurt, sourdough bread, wine, beer kimchi or sauerkraut (just to name a few) you have eaten a fermented food. The fermentation process uses naturally occurring bacteria to partially break down the food, improving its enzyme content and increasing its levels of vitamins B, C and K. It also makes food more digestible, and boosts the "usable" protein level by about 12 percent. The other benefits to using fermented feed:[/COLOR] [COLOR=993366]Feed consumption and waste will drop by 1/2 to 3/4 (this will save you money)[/COLOR] [COLOR=993366]Poultry on a diet of fermented feed are generally healthier and less likely to contract disease[/COLOR] [COLOR=993366]There is almost zero waste as chickens don't scratch through it, kicking it out of the feeder[/COLOR] [COLOR=993366]Stools become more solid and many people report less smell in the coop and run![/COLOR] [COLOR=993366]Egg yolks of eggs laid by hens on fermented feed will become noticeably larger, and shells will be more solid.[/COLOR] [COLOR=993366]Endeavor[/COLOR] In my Fermented Feed, I use: scratch grains, Purina Flock Raiser crumbles or Layena pellets (depending on the age of the flock) black oil sunflower seeds with the shell on safflower seed without the shel and sometimes others things (end of the oatmeal, heels of dry bread, veggie scraps, etc) I started with Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar "with the Mother", about two tablespoons full, in 1 and 1/2 gallons of water straight from the outside hydrant in a three gallon bucket. I added a large scoop of scratch, one third of a scoop of crumbles (or pellets), quarter of a scoop of black oil sunflower seeds, small handful of safflower seeds. I "swirl" the bucket around, cover with a piece of cardboard large enough to cover the whole top of the bucket. I kept it in the barn during the fall but it now resides on the laundry room floor. To feed, I have a plastic colander that put over a second bucket (mine is a horse water bucket that has one flat side intended to hang against a wall). I pour the mix into the colander which holds the grains, seeds and "swollen" crumbles/pellets. It drains while I open the coop doors and check waterers. I then put the mix into various bowls/dishes/troughs around the coop and yard so that everyone gets a fair chance to eat. I use a smaller plastic scoop to serve it up. I take the liquid left from draining and put it back it the bucket and add water to get it back to 1 and 1/2 gallons and add the grains, seeds and feed. No need to add more ACV. Great stuff! Finished my Freedom Rangers on it and now my flock all gets it. I can post pics tomorrow of the buckets and colander if interested but right now it is my bedtime....... Sally, I stopped here, several pages back, to let you know how I do it. I just have one bucket at the moment, I think two buckets would be best because then I could have the feed ferment longer. But as it is, what I do is try to feed everyone last time around noon, then I take my bag of mash, pour a bit more than I think I'll need for the next day into the bucket, add tepid water a couple of inches above the feed after stirring (it sucks up a lot of water) then set it down to ferment until about 9 AM the next day. The original bucket full, I added ACV to get the fermentation started. It smells like beer! I use a spaghetti spoon

to scoop and drain out the feed, then dish it out into bowls for the birds that way. It's easy and I just add feed the next afternoon to feed out the next morning, keeping it in the house at about 60-70 degrees. It may not be as long a fermentation as it should be though. I plan on doing this with two buckets so they get a day and a half to ferment instead. I'm using home depot orange buckets and lids (lids put on loosely to keep interior clean but allow the air to escape (it bubbles). I find this to be the easiest for me, rather than a double bucket system. Also, since I use mash, I think it'd go right through any holes I'd drill at the bottom, also, doesn't feed got through anyway and collect in the bottom bucket? I dunno? But it works for me and the birds like it Quote: I drilled small holes in a 5 gal. bucket and placed it down into another. Place the grain in the top bucket, cover the grain/feed with water and soak. I speeded up the fermentation process by introducing a little unpasteurized ACV with a good mother culture in it. You don't have to do it in the sieve system I setup but it comes in handy to just lift your grain bucket up and let the excess fermented fluid drain off before you feed. Depending on the warmth of the place in which you are doing your fermenting, soaking 8-15 hours is supposed to give your grain time to ferment enough to produce the valuable probiotics you are looking for. They are just pulled from the air...unless you want to speed it up like I did. I just keep the same fluid in the bottom bucket and just add fresh water when necessary to get the right level to cover my feed. They call that backslopping....keeps those strong cultures in your grain fermenting system. Think sourdough bread...same thing. Fermenting your grains is supposed to increase your protein by 12%, increase the absorption of your feed nutrients, increase total nutrient value, increase bowel health, increase laying performance, help prevent disease~particularly the intestinal ones like cocci, salmonella, e.coli, lower total feed consumption and thus total feed costs but will cause more weight gain on the lesser amounts of feed. I've been doing this with my new CX chicks(54) and we are on their 4 th day. Their poop now looks like normal chicken feces, they have consumed less feed than they normally have by now, seem more content on the feed they are eating, prefer the fermented over the dry and are growing well. All bright, active and gaining ground. I am also offering buttermilk free choice in one waterer and unpasteurized ACV in the water of the other waterer...they can't get enough of it but don't seem to have the excessive thirst the CX normally have. Could be because they are not dehydrated from the constant diarrhea typical of this breed. I drilled small holes in a 5 gal. bucket and placed it down into another. Place the grain in the top bucket, cover the grain/feed with water and soak. I speeded up the fermentation process by introducing a little unpasteurized ACV with a good mother culture in it. You don't have to do it in the sieve system I setup but it comes in handy to just lift your grain bucket up and let the excess fermented fluid drain off before you feed. Depending on the warmth of the place in which you are doing your fermenting, soaking 8-15 hours is supposed to give your grain time to ferment enough to produce the valuable probiotics you are looking for. They are just pulled from the air...unless you want to speed it up like I did. I just keep the same fluid in the bottom bucket and just add fresh water when necessary to get the right level to cover my feed. They call that backslopping....keeps those strong cultures in your grain fermenting system. Think sourdough bread...same thing. Fermenting your grains is supposed to increase your protein by 12%, increase the absorption of your feed nutrients, increase total nutrient value, increase bowel health, increase laying performance, help prevent disease~particularly the intestinal ones like cocci, salmonella, e.coli, lower total feed consumption and thus total feed costs but will cause more weight gain on the lesser amounts of feed. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/644300/fermenting-feed-for-meat-birds

Are you doing this for all your birds?! Or just the ducklings? I think I would want to see your setup before I try this. I don't know if its because I'm I'll or what, but it sounds difficult. LOL! I want to do it though.

 

[fisherlady]

Wow, turn on the computer after about 7 hrs and I'm already 8 pages behind! You folks have been busy!

I am throwing this out there to see the response, if any.
DD is a vet tech, recently returned to PA from Texas, and I have been encouraging her to learn to caponize young roos. She is a single mom and could use extra income. At the very least, I want to get her to do caponizing on our hatches this year since we want to raise the roosters for soup anyway. her sister also has bantam cochins that could use the treatment.
Is there a market for this service in the Berks Co area and surround? Anyone know of anyone who does this?
I have great faith in her ability to learn this. She has been dealing with animals all her life, is an summa cum laud grad of Texas A&M in Dairy Science, mid-thirties(not a kid). We plan on providing her with enough practice roos to get accomplished at the procedure once we start hatching this year. She assists in all sorts of surgeries in her job.
I wanted her to go to the NPIP class in December but the vet office she works at didn't think there was a market for treating chickens in the northern Berks area and she just cannot "take off" for a day.
Any input is welcome.

I wish you lived closer! I would love to learn how to do it myself, or if I knew someone who could come do it would be great... we are watching out to find someone local who knows the skill and is willing to pass it along.

I wonder if its cost effective, I am sure some would but costs involved would be the kicker. My Grandfather always did his own.

adding... he used to say thats what makes his chickens so fat and "choosie" in pa dutch accent!! miss him so RIP Poppop

That is the type of person we would hope to find... those old farmers could do just about anything I think!

Just got back from the Farm show and I am SOOOOooo excited for spring. I have desided what chickens to get Now I just need vendors... or where to buy a bird or two at. I want a sumatra black cochin, Wyandotte silver lace, Brahma dark and buff, English Ausralorp black. , And a plymouth rock partidge.. not counting the two black ameracandas.. i think that be a nice group of birds to run through my garden

That's it?? I'm sure the Local Enabler & Supportive Society could find a couple of more for you! because you know... LESS means more!

Can I share a proud mom moment. My DD Izzy just got 1st place in the Junior/Senior Cadette division for Girl Scout's Community 80 Pinewood Derby!! I am so happy, it's a Father/Daughter thing, so DH is really happy too. Check out the Hershey Bar Car!

Congrats Izzy!!!

I thought it was complicated so I never did it, and someone on the NYDhatch thread made it simple for us!!!
FERMENTING FOR DUMMIES
or
FERMENTING FOR BEGINNERS lol

Its funny because I cleaned coops and after I cleaned and saw all that wasted mash and then saw the girls just pushing the mash all out of the feeder I thought I had been so stupid for so long NOT DOING it.... I am going to video tape the girls making the mess and then when they eat the mash FF!! Can you imagine how much time we will save if the amonia in the coop is put off for a longer time period too!! YAY only plusses here!! It may be more work feeding but that beats cleaning any day!!!

I'll have to do some reading... does sound promising!

 

[Blarneyeggs]

7 beautiful little silkies hatched for me

Precious chicks. Fisherlady, 'less is more?' Too funny.

 

[fisherlady]

 

[Blarneyeggs]

Can I share a proud mom moment. My DD Izzy just got 1st place in the Junior/Senior Cadette division for Girl Scout's Community 80 Pinewood Derby!! I am so happy, it's a Father/Daughter thing, so DH is really happy too. Check out the Hershey Bar Car!

Gardening, KUDOS for your little one! You must be so proud! Missy, hope the dress search goes well today MC: If Hershey's powder goes bad it's news to me. Oh, and where do you find kids that willingly clean cabinets? Can they visit me? Sara, can't believe you are right around the corner and I only ever see you here! I finally got to Gehman's Feed on my way to the farm show. The man said he could easily fit 10 bags of food in my car (100 lb bags). I didn't get that many this time, (and am a little nervous to see how low my tailgate will hang with 1000lbs of feed in my car). I will be heading back at the end of the month, do you still want to go in on some? 100 lb breeder at 20% is $24.95 100lb layer feed at 16% protein -$22.95

 

[Blarneyeggs]

wedding cake

Wing, these cakes are cool! Missy, I vote peacock wedding cake! Wing, I haven't had sheep milk, but have heard it makes some seriously good cheese. Sally!! Awesome score on the eggies, I'm glad you're collecting your wins.

 

[BullChick]

BUBBLES!!!!!!

This is MY ideal FF. Some say it should look like oatmeal (not so wet) and others say it should have a few inches of water above the FF at all times. I like to see the bubbles. They make me happy!! I stopped using a second bucket because I had to drill bigger holes (small ones get clogged) and ended up breaking the bucket. I now use a strainer. The wire kind with a long handle. It hooks across the bucket while I get dressed. Don't forget to rinse anything metal at least once every other day. The acid will eat away at it.
Fill bucket about half way with feed, one glug of ACV with Mother (Heinz @Wal Mart. New item) add warm water to cover the feed, and stir every morning and night. Add more water if needed.
Feed takes about 8 hours, dog kibble, and grains take about two days, sometimes three. All animals (and humans) can benefit from FF.

 

[patrickschick]

Wing, these cakes are cool! Missy, I vote peacock wedding cake!

Wing, I haven't had sheep milk, but have heard it makes some seriously good cheese.

Sally!! Awesome score on the eggies, I'm glad you're collecting your wins.

sheep's milk cheese is very tasty!