The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Leahs Mom]

Thank you so much for all the info you have all given me. I did check out the information on fermenting delisha, thanks I will change how I ferment. You make it look alot easier than I imagined it. I have a question on the meat. Any type of raw meat? I have ground pork in the freezer right now that is not seasoned, can they eat ground pork? I think I have venison in there too, so I will begin with that. I am going to grind up some pumpkin seeds I have at home and give them to the girls. What does the citrus peal in their nests do? I ocassionally spread diamtamatious earth occasionally, but haven't in a couple of months. I will do that too.

Thank you also for not making me feel like didn't deserve to have chickens. I have been having so many doubts as of late, but I love those girls and try to do the best I can. Thanks for understanding and giving me great suggestions. I am keeping a very close eye on my BR right now. She is a tough little thing. I make sure she gets in there to eat before I leave them every morning. Her new name is Scrapper. before this happened they were all so healthy and beautiful feathers, lively and funny.

I hope NOBODY ON THIS THREAD would ever make you feel that way!

A lot of us here are new and learning. And even our "Old Timers" say they're learning!

I think having chickens is GREAT FUN.... and so is learning along the way .

 

[Noncentzter]

I have the most terrible news I can ever imagine typing here...

My heart is broken.

I just saw this...I am so sorry!!

 

[armorfirelady]

Thank you for the info on the fermenting!  I am feeding the crumbles and I do not completely cover it with water because it soaks up the water and turns into kind of a peanut buttery type consistency.  Are you saying that this is not fermented when it is like that?  I DO add vinegar and water to the "soup" every day.  If I get it much thinner, it will be impossible to spoon it out of the bucket and will be a runny mess.  How do you suggest I remedy this?

Hi Angela- newbie here. I've only had my hens since August.
But I do know you don't need to add vinegar every day. When you first make the FF you add water and a flu of ACV with mother, let it sit a few days in a warm spot and it should be fermenting. You will have to add water a few times as the crumbles soak up the moisture but not vinegar. I rarely add ACV vinegar to my mix even when refilling the bucket. (I did make that error at the beginning and it got to vinegary tasting for the hens) just add water when you add more food. And you have to add enough for a layer of water over it when u initially start. Mine is kept at a oatmeal cookie dough consistency and you can see the water on the sides & bubbles when you stir. The Mother is at the bottom of the bucket feeding on the little bit of food that seeps through the holes eating away and making the food fermented. Once a month or so I scoop all the slimy gooey stuff in the bottom bucket into the top bucket. My FF has been on the same mother since September


Delisha & Mumsy I love the chic picture. So adorable. Almost makes me want to get chics from the feed store........I picked up a pamphlet so I could look at what they are getting but that's as close to chics I am getting lol

 

[rambunctious]

Were you able to take a look at this? It may answer some of your questions on the ff.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/644300/fermenting-feed-for-meat-birds/4270#post_10304875

I have been doing it all wrong!!! I have been mixing until it's like oatmeal, adding some UnACV and then letting it 'do whatever'. There's really nothing to 'drain' out! Son of a B!! Arg!!

I took the bucket I had, added water and I'll let it sit.

On a side note. CAN CHICKENS HAVE TOO MUCH UnACV? I have been adding about a T to a Quart of water as well as whatever ends up in their FF.

Can I use (2) of the same 3 gallon buckets (one drilled w/holes) to do the FF feed? Will there be an issue with them 'seal sucking' together? Just curious before I go and ruin a bucket.


Can anyone give a recipe for FF?! 3 cups of mash feed, water to cover 1", 3T UnACV?

 

[jockeyeba]

My giant 3 5/16" X 5 1/2" WR egg was a double yolker-it took up the entire 8" skillet

 

[jockeyeba]

Were you able to take a look at this?  It may answer some of your questions on the ff.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/644300/fermenting-feed-for-meat-birds/4270#post_10304875

I have been doing it all wrong!!!  I have been mixing until it's like oatmeal, adding some UnACV and then letting it 'do whatever'.  There's really nothing to 'drain' out!  Son of a B!!  Arg!!

I took the bucket I had, added water and I'll let it sit. 

On a side note.  CAN CHICKENS HAVE TOO MUCH UnACV?  I have been adding about a T to a Quart of water as well as whatever ends up in their FF.

Can I use (2) of the same 3 gallon buckets (one drilled w/holes) to do the FF feed?  Will there be an issue with them 'seal sucking' together?  Just curious before I go and ruin a bucket. 


Can anyone give a recipe for FF?!   3 cups of mash feed, water to cover 1", 3T UnACV? 

I need a better ff recipe repeated also & yes 2 buckets the same size will stick imo

 

[Leahs Mom]

For me there really isn't a recipe. It all depends on the number of birds you have and how much you need.

Enough water to cover about 1" above which will vary depending on how much soaks up. Check it from time to time and if it needs more just add more water to it.

I don't use vinegar in mine unless I'm trying to correct a yeast imbalance. But when I did, I only started out w/about 1T. Again...based on the amount you're making.

The important thing is that the LABs will begin to grow and put out lactic acid if you keep it covered in water. LABS produce anaerobically so you want the feed under water. Believe me, they'll take off on their own. If you want to jump-start the cultures, add a little of any of the following:

-Whey from raw cheese making
-Kefir
-Cultured buttermilk (mesophillic not thermophillic cultures; yogurt uses thermophillic cultures, buttermilk uses mesophillic cultures)
-A Culture pack
-Juice from fermented sauerkraut, pickles or other veggie if you make your own (not the canned kind)

You don't need to add any of those unless you want to speed things up!

 

[Leahs Mom]

My giant 3 5/16" X 5 1/2" WR egg was a double yolker-it took up the entire 8" skillet

Beautiful!

 

[rambunctious]

My giant 3 5/16" X 5 1/2" WR egg was a double yolker-it took up the entire 8" skillet

YUM!!!

 

[countrygirl74]

Thank you for the additional information..it helps my confusion
..it sounds like you take really good care of them and offer a well balanced diet. So assume it is not diet related. If you give meats..do not cook it, feed it raw.
You bird that is loosing feathers needs an exam. Make sure she is laying. Check her for mites and lice. I would give them some ground up pumpkin seeds. Add some fresh Oregano
Toss some citrus peelings in there nest boxes.
I hope you can get pictures soon,..that should help me more..
I hope others have more suggestions.

I had no idea about the meat! I learn something new everyday - so if I feed any meat to my flock, I just feed raw hamburger? I was cooking it first... Is this always the case no matter how old they are? Is it okay if they do have some cooked meat too though? Like in our leftovers we throw out?

Oh, one more thing, does this also apply to ducks?