What's Wrong With Our Birds? Can't Figure It Out!

[Jenski]

OP, sounds like you have done lots of research. It does help for us actually see the quantities of the ingredients you are giving; it is a much more accurate picture than to just say you are adding salt, oyster shell and yeast. If you do a bit more research, I imagine you will find information on the effects of salt, oyster shell and yeast in excess.

And we would all welcome an update on how your birds fare. Good luck!

 

[Glenda L Heywood]

Well I was not telling you to quit the feed as you surely knew what it takes to make a good feed
if that works for you do so
______________________________________email me PM for further info about using a feed recipe such as yours is

_________________________________-____
I am interested in what company recipe you got for the feed
does your feed mill grind it for you?

also stay the course and your birds will do okay
I am a firm believer in the
wet mash probiotic recipe

Oh yes KELP is very important to the good feathering of the birds
it makes for good fethers

I think the birds may just be toxic from the coccidiosis meds and need the natural probiotic recipe
you will see great improvement in te chicks over all and keep the faith it is a fun hobby and your serious

 

[Sparklee]

Quote:
I'd not make any conclusions about current commercial starter diets based on the results of experimental feeding regimens from research conducted in `75.

Okay, so you wouldn't make conclusions based on studies from '75, but just because research was done in '75, '65, or '55 doesn't completely discredit it. Age doesn't matter. ;-) They are still doing the same type of thing ... trying to put all manner of leftovers (and I use the term loosely) in our chickens' feed which we then turn around and feed to ourselves. Some leftovers are fine; some are not.

Thanks for the great link to the ForageCakes post. Great stuff! And it's funny that I was just eyeing my turmeric yesterday wondering if it would be cost effective to toss some into the chick feed.

 

[Sparklee]

Quote:
Hi, Glenda. Not ignoring. Busy. Must go out and grind for a while. ;-)

 

[ivan3]

Sparklee wrote: Okay, so you wouldn't make conclusions based on studies from '75, but just because research was done in '75, '65, or '55 doesn't completely discredit it.

I'm sure the research was rigorous and accurate. (though I'd like to see the stats).

From the link:

Abstract
1. Dried poultry manure (DPM) collected from 1-d to 3-week-old chicks, reared in electrical battery brooders, incorporated at a level of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% in a chick starter diet, was recycled four times.

2. There was a linear decrease in body weight and efficiency of food utilisation with each percentage increase in DPM.

3. The amount of dried droppings recovered as a percentage of food consumed was proportional to the amount of DPM included in the diet and remained fairly constant during the recycling.

4. Body weights and efficiency of food utilisation were substantially the same during the first three recycling periods but declined significantly during the fourth period.

5. Mortality was negligible and all chicks appeared healthy and vigorous.

Don't think the production lines at Purina and Nutrena are fed by an elevator full of poop (though they use too much protein from soy, IMHO).

 

[Sparklee]

Quote:
Maybe not. I have no way of knowing. But US beef cattle were being fed chicken poo up until Jan of 2004. Yes. Tasty *Beef ... It's what's for dinner* ... they were all chowing down on poultry litter aka manure, shavings, feathers, dead birds, spilled feed, and whatever else is on the floor of the poultry shed. I know the biologists, nutritionists, and scientists have worked years to get the commercial feed recipe *just right,* but it seems icky to me.

“Poultry litter has a calculated value of 50 percent total digestible nutrients (energy). That makes it comparable to average-quality hay,” said Rankins, whose Extension work focuses on beef cattle nutrition. “Research had proven it was a valuable source of energy for both stocker cattle and brood cows. It was also a good source of protein and essential minerals.” Source http://www.aces.edu/dept/extcomm/newspaper/jan30b04.html

I know. This doesn't prove anything. It's just anecdotal.

When I wrote "leftovers" in animal feed, I was talking about things like outdated bakery goods, outdated chocolate, outdated gum still in the wrappers, poultry by products, the stuff leftover after all the oil has been removed from the soybean. They're looking for ways to feed chickens and pigs the leftovers from biodiesel production. Leftovers. The article above mentions peanut hulls and gin trash. Okay, so they're being smart and not throwing the leftovers into a landfill. And I'm having leftovers for lunch today. So.

Seriously, I'm not saying I haven't or won't ever feed our chickens commercial feed. It obviously is an effective way to feed animals. And it's easier than grinding my own. Much easier.

 

[Glenda Heywoodo]

Chicks do not need oyster shell until 18 eeks old.
TOO MUCH YOSYER SHELL WILL DAMAGE THE CHICKS KIDNEYS.

 

[Isaac 0]

Chicks do not need oyster shell until 18 eeks old.
TOO MUCH YOSYER SHELL WILL DAMAGE THE CHICKS KIDNEYS.

Four months is still young.Provide it when they get red combs and other signs that mean they are going to lay soon.

 

[Glenda Heywoodo]

Four months is still young.Provide it when they get red combs and other signs that mean they are going to lay soon.

OKAY WHEN THEY ARE IN CHICKEN HOUSE AS LAYERS.
I NEVER FED IT TO CHICKS OF ANY AGE.
BUT THE PERSON ASKING STILL WILL FEED OYSTER SHELL
AS THEY SEEM DETERMINED TO FEED OYSTER SHELL.

A LITTE OYSTER SHELL WON'T HURT THEM BUT LOT WILL.

HENS LAY AT 20 WEEKS SOME TIMES
THAT SHOULD NOT HURT THE CHICKENS

 

[Glenda Heywoodo]

Maybe not. I have no way of knowing. But US beef cattle were being fed chicken poo up until Jan of 2004. Yes. Tasty *Beef ... It's what's for dinner* ... they were all chowing down on poultry litter aka manure, shavings, feathers, dead birds, spilled feed, and whatever else is on the floor of the poultry shed. I know the biologists, nutritionists, and scientists have worked years to get the commercial feed recipe *just right,* but it seems icky to me.

“Poultry litter has a calculated value of 50 percent total digestible nutrients (energy). That makes it comparable to average-quality hay,” said Rankins, whose Extension work focuses on beef cattle nutrition. “Research had proven it was a valuable source of energy for both stocker cattle and brood cows. It was also a good source of protein and essential minerals.” Source http://www.aces.edu/dept/extcomm/newspaper/jan30b04.html

I know. This doesn't prove anything. It's just anecdotal.

When I wrote "leftovers" in animal feed, I was talking about things like outdated bakery goods, outdated chocolate, outdated gum still in the wrappers, poultry by products, the stuff leftover after all the oil has been removed from the soybean. They're looking for ways to feed chickens and pigs the leftovers from biodiesel production. Leftovers. The article above mentions peanut hulls and gin trash. Okay, so they're being smart and not throwing the leftovers into a landfill. And I'm having leftovers for lunch today. So.

Seriously, I'm not saying I haven't or won't ever feed our chickens commercial feed. It obviously is an effective way to feed animals. And it's easier than grinding my own. Much easier.

I SAY FEED WHAT EVER YOU THINK IS BEST.
JUST CUT BACK ON THE OYSTER SHELL AS THE YOUNG BIRS DO NOT NEED IT.