Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[Amberjem]

 

[MisfitMarie]

X2

 

[Carolei]

What is the benefit of fermented feed?

I've never fermented feed, but I'm thinking about trying it when the weather warms up. From what I've read, fermented feed provides probiotics and makes the nutrients in the food more available and easily digested. As a result, the chooks eat less which provides a cost savings. There are threads on the forum that provide lots of info. Just search for fermented feed.

 

[Amberjem]

 

[MargaretYakoda]

What is the benefit of fermented feed?

In no particular order:
1) Very little waste. The birds can't pick out their favorite bits and leave the rest behind. Also whatever bits of feed-dust that might otherwise be left to blow in the wind go right into the feed.
2) The fermenting unlocks more nutrients, similar to the way sauerkraut or kimchi unlocks more nutrients. Some folks report that their birds go through fewer bags of feed.
3) Wow is it ever super easy once you get used to it.
4) The chickens adore it! At least mine do. When they're expecting their fermented feed, they actually ignore worms. Live, wriggling worms.... or fermented feed? THEY IGNORE THE WORM. That's high praise for the fermented feed. LOL.
5) It's much easier to rodent-proof the feed, because the unfermented stuff is in rodent-proof containers, the fermenting stuff can also easily be put in a rodent-proof container, and the chickens practically lick their dishes clean. So there isn't very much feed left out for vermin to glean.
6) Because the fermented feed is more acidic, some people feel it is a good at keeping worms from being a problem, and it helps prevent illnesses like vent gleet and sour crop.

There is a thread here dedicated to fermented feed. minutes.https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/644300/fermenting-feed-for-meat-birds

 

[Carolei]

In today's Seattle Times:

Avian flu causes emergency poultry quarantine in SE Washington

Posted by Lisa Cowan
The Associated Press
KENNEWICK — The Washington Agriculture Department declared an emergency quarantine for domestic poultry and eggs in the southeast part of the state to contain the highly contagious avian flu.
The quarantine issued Wednesday restricts the movement of chickens, turkeys and other birds out of that zone. It covers an area within 20 miles of two Benton County locations where backyard flocks of chickens, turkeys and ducks were found to have the disease.
This particular strain of the disease isn’t dangerous to people, but it’s deadly to birds. Officials want to keep it out of commercial operations.
The virus has not been found in commercial poultry in the U.S., so it’s OK to buy chicken, turkey, eggs and other poultry products from grocery stores, the Tri-City Herald reported.
No human cases with these viruses have been detected in the U.S., Canada or elsewhere. And U.S. agriculture officials have said poultry, poultry products and wild birds are safe to eat even if they carry the disease as look as the items are properly handled and cooked to the proper temperature.
The quarantine is expected to last for about eight months. It covers most of Richland, part of Kennewick and extends across the Columbia River to include part of Franklin County.
Exemptions from the quarantine are possible if businesses can show their establishments have strong biosecurity measures.
More than 700 birds in Benton County have died or been euthanized. The disease has been found in two backyard flocks in the county, which included domestic waterfowl with access to the outdoors. Wild waterfowl have been known to carry the virus.
Federal agricultural officials plan to increase the amount of testing of poultry and other domestic birds in the area. The commercial industry also has a robust avian influenza testing program, state officials said.

 

[Aliciahess]

I've never fermented feed, but I'm thinking about trying it when the weather warms up. From what I've read, fermented feed provides probiotics and makes the nutrients in the food more available and easily digested. As a result, the chooks eat less which provides a cost savings. There are threads on the forum that provide lots of info. Just search for fermented feed.

In no particular order:
1) Very little waste. The birds can't pick out their favorite bits and leave the rest behind. Also whatever bits of feed-dust that might otherwise be left to blow in the wind go right into the feed.
2) The fermenting unlocks more nutrients, similar to the way sauerkraut or kimchi unlocks more nutrients. Some folks report that their birds go through fewer bags of feed.
3) Wow is it ever super easy once you get used to it.
Zed) The chickens adore it! At least mine do. When they're expecting their fermented feed, they actually ignore worms. Live, wriggling worms.... of fermented feed? THEY IGNORE THE WORM. That's high praise for the fermented feed. LOL.
4) It's much easier to rodent-proof the feed, because the unfermented stuff is in rodent-proof containers, the fermenting stuff can also easily be put in a rodent-proof container, and the chickens practically lick their dishes clean. So there isn't very much feed left out for vermin to glean.
5) Because the fermented feed is more acidic, some people feel it is a good at keeping worms from being a problem, and it helps prevent illnesses like vent gleet and sour crop.

There is a thread here dedicated to fermented feed. minutes.https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/644300/fermenting-feed-for-meat-birds

Thank you both for the info!
Scary business....avian flu. Went over the precautions with DH last night.

 

[Ashley Stroud]

In no particular order: 1) Very little waste. The birds can't pick out their favorite bits and leave the rest behind. Also whatever bits of feed-dust that might otherwise be left to blow in the wind go right into the feed. 2) The fermenting unlocks more nutrients, similar to the way sauerkraut or kimchi unlocks more nutrients. Some folks report that their birds go through fewer bags of feed. 3) Wow is it ever super easy once you get used to it. 4) The chickens adore it! At least mine do. When they're expecting their fermented feed, they actually ignore worms. Live, wriggling worms.... or fermented feed? THEY IGNORE THE WORM. That's high praise for the fermented feed. LOL. 5) It's much easier to rodent-proof the feed, because the unfermented stuff is in rodent-proof containers, the fermenting stuff can also easily be put in a rodent-proof container, and the chickens practically lick their dishes clean. So there isn't very much feed left out for vermin to glean. 6) Because the fermented feed is more acidic, some people feel it is a good at keeping worms from being a problem, and it helps prevent illnesses like vent gleet and sour crop. There is a thread here dedicated to fermented feed. minutes.https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/644300/fermenting-feed-for-meat-birds

I am soooo happy with fermented feed! My feed waste has dropped considerably and my girls go bonkers! The dishes are wiped clean by mid afternoon!

In today's Seattle Times:
Avian flu causes emergency poultry quarantine in SE Washington

Posted by Lisa Cowan The Associated Press KENNEWICK — The Washington Agriculture Department declared an emergency quarantine for domestic poultry and eggs in the southeast part of the state to contain the highly contagious avian flu. The quarantine issued Wednesday restricts the movement of chickens, turkeys and other birds out of that zone. It covers an area within 20 miles of two Benton County locations where backyard flocks of chickens, turkeys and ducks were found to have the disease. This particular strain of the disease isn’t dangerous to people, but it’s deadly to birds. Officials want to keep it out of commercial operations. The virus has not been found in commercial poultry in the U.S., so it’s OK to buy chicken, turkey, eggs and other poultry products from grocery stores, the Tri-City Herald reported. No human cases with these viruses have been detected in the U.S., Canada or elsewhere. And U.S. agriculture officials have said poultry, poultry products and wild birds are safe to eat even if they carry the disease as look as the items are properly handled and cooked to the proper temperature. The quarantine is expected to last for about eight months. It covers most of Richland, part of Kennewick and extends across the Columbia River to include part of Franklin County. Exemptions from the quarantine are possible if businesses can show their establishments have strong biosecurity measures. More than 700 birds in Benton County have died or been euthanized. The disease has been found in two backyard flocks in the county, which included domestic waterfowl with access to the outdoors. Wild waterfowl have been known to carry the virus. Federal agricultural officials plan to increase the amount of testing of poultry and other domestic birds in the area. The commercial industry also has a robust avian influenza testing program, state officials said.

Ugh! So scary! Thanks for the update!

 

[Amberjem]

well got fifty feet of bird netting up

 

[catface]

I've got the Dept of Agriculture coming to my place Monday to test my flock as a precaution. I volunteered for the testing to help catch bird flu before it becomes a huge epidemic. As far as I can tell, all my birds are healthy but it never hurts to check.