Please help, not sure what the problem is...

[Kiki]

I tried fermented feed for 7-8 months one year. I would not bother with it again. In warm climates, it is a mess, burning up the grass and getting slung everywhere, and I worried a bit about spoilage. In freezing temperatures it is frozen, and the 5 gallon buckets have to be kept inside to keep from freezing.

I switched back to dry feed, and on many days I will mix a flat pan of pellets with a lot of water to make a mash. They eat all of it, and the pans are washed out. Recently here we had a member who had a necropsy done and the state vet claimed the fermented feed caused the death. I would never go back to fermented food. When people use it I don’t like to talk them out of it, but I did not see any change in my chickens or in the amount they ate. It just made a huge mess, and I think some of my hens overate.

Is this the member that was saying food poisioning at first because that was not the case.

 

[rebrascora]

Because mine have free choice of dry pellets all day, I don't have to think about how much fermented feed to give them. I just put a dollop down and they tuck into it. If they don't eat it all straight away (within 10 mins) then I don't give them so much the next day. I ferment mine in my utility room in winter. I keep the fermenting bucket on top of the spare fridge, so it is up a height out of the way. I like the fact that I have to worry less about keeping water defrosted in winter since they need less because there is quite a lot of water in the feed. Everybody has their own ideas and things will work differently in different climates and pen layouts etc, so you have to be prepared to try things and adapt to what works best for you.
As regards deep litter, I wouldn't pass up the autumn opportunity of lovely free leaf litter, even if you don't use anything else in the run until spring. The leaves will help to condition the soil and break down the poop. Throw as much in as you can collect would be my advice. My run isn't covered at all and we do get quite a bit of rain so it can get a bit soggy in places but I still like deep litter and you can see how the soil improves with it, so don't feel you have to cover the whole run, but try to ensure that rainwater drainage is away from the run. You will still get compacted areas in the doorway etc where you walk in and pack it down with your feet but the majority will be significantly improved. The chickens also love to dig through a pile of leaves, so that in itself can help keep them happier and less stressed.

 

[WVduckchick]

My chickens panic when I carry in arm loads of leaves. But I can hardly get back out the gate before they are pouncing to dig thru them.

 

[TheYLWFlock]

Thank you all! I might try a bit of fermented feed in the mornings, but mostly I’ll feed them their normal food. I gave them some plain yogurt mixed into their food and water and they loved it! Next time I go to the farm store I’ll pick up some vitamins for them. I’m going to build the run extension over the weekend. They are no longer getting any treats other than healthy fruits and veggies. The main focus is keeping them happy, healthy and stress-free fornow. I’ll make sure they are living in a clean environment as well. I may try some drop litter in the run next spring.

One more question, will we ever be able to get more birds ever, knowing that there is a chance of Mareks?

Thanks everyone!

 

[rebrascora]

I have roosters so I can breed from my survivors to replace losses but this year I bought in hatching eggs and I have one pullet and 3 cockerels from those that were broody reared and are about 12 weeks and 3 younger ones bred from my own flock which are 9 weeks so they are approaching the critical age to exhibit symptoms.
It is up to you to decide if, when and how you want to add to your flock. The responsibility comes in not passing any potential carrier birds on to others...... so if you hatch chicks then no rehoming surplus cockerels etc.

 

[TheYLWFlock]

Thank you!

 

[TheYLWFlock]

Hi! So it’s been a long time since anyone has poste, I just wanted to give you an update on the flock.

So I finally finished the run extension, so now all 4 birds have about 65 square feet to share. They have been eating a mixture of the 18% grower and free range crumbles. About nice a week I give them some yogurt mixed with with food and water. I still need to get my hands on some vitamins. The coop is cleaned out regularly, and I have done a layer of a bunch of leaves over everything, they really like that. They are only getting fruits and veggies as treats,maybe a tiny bit of cracked corn like once a week. I try to let them out into their free-range pen as often as I can (it’s about 100 squarefeet). So far they have been doing great, happy, healthy, stress-free. Hoping that this continues.

We are thinking of getting two chickens in spring, maybe a silkie and a Polish, or other small breeds. Are we still able to do this?

I cant thank all of you incredible people enough! You are awesome!

 

[rebrascora]

That all sounds great. I'm really pleased things have stabilised and everyone is happy and healthy at he moment.
The only thing I would suggest is not to get the two breeds you have suggested and perhaps get bantam cochins instead if you are looking for birds with broody tendancy or just some cute friendly pets. Silkies seem to be one of the most susceptible breeds to Marek's Disease and Polish like silkies, can be prone to problems due to their large crest and vaulted skull, especially when kept with large fowl birds that find their crests curious and a target for pecking. I find that my bantam cochins (we call them pekins here in the UK) cope pretty well being in with large fowl and so far have been one of the breeds I have not had obvious Marek's problems with.

 

[TheYLWFlock]

Great! Tyanks you for letting us know! I just showed my mom some pictures of the bantam Cochins and now she’s in love. So it looks like we’ll be looking for some of those for the spring time!

 

[TheYLWFlock]

Also, @rebrascora how big/tall to bantam Cochins get?