Feeding Old Organ Meat

[Redhead Rae]

I have beef organs (liver, heart, etc.) that have been sitting in the freezer for a few years now. I know we aren't going to eat them. But they came from an organic cow and I wouldn't mind feeding them to my birds. How would you go about incorporating them into their feed? I want more room in camp for roosters.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Put a small amount of the frozen meat in you sink and add cold water. Water is many times more efficient at transferring heat into or out of things than air is. Cut up or dice the thawed protein into chunks about as big as dice. Feed these chunks for treats instead of the junk most hens receive for treats. If your hens are still molting this is an especially good time to feed them protein packed treats like kidneys, heart, or liver..

 

[cavemanrich]

Cook by boiling and chop in small bits or if you have a meat grinder, grind. Put into refrigerator, or if cold enough outdoors, into shed. Give a reasonable quantity to your chickens daily. Just offer it on the ground or separate container and don't mix into your chicken feed. I give my hens all kind of leftover meats. We avoid eating fat and skin on meat, so I trim all excess and quick fry, and serve to chickens. Another Example; After Thanksgiving, when we carve all that we can from the turkey, the hens get to pick carcass clean.
Meat is Good Protein....
WISHING YOU BEST...

 

[tigger19687]

Better for your Dogs, if you have them

 

[RonP]

I have beef organs (liver, heart, etc.) that have been sitting in the freezer for a few years now. I know we aren't going to eat them. But they came from an organic cow and I wouldn't mind feeding them to my birds. How would you go about incorporating them into their feed? I want more room in camp for roosters.

I do this often, like once per week during the colder months.

I have a larger pot that I will put all questionable scraps, meat especially, into. I add water and boil for an hour or so. This eliminates any concerns about mold or bacteria.

I then add enough rice to absorb the water, and simmer for at least another 15 minutes. I let the pot cool overnight, and then treat the flock the next morning.

The energy used will offset the energy needed to warm my home...

No waste in my household, I would do the same in your situation.

Hope this helps.

 

[cottontail farm]

So it looks like one person feeds them raw while everyone else cooks.... Hmmmm... I always assumed I would need to cook meats first but maybe it's unnecessary? I've seen my chickens eat mice and moles (ugh!) and they sure didn't stop to cook them first.
Thoughts? Seems like wild protiens would have more bacteria then anything from my kitchen?

 

[RonP]

So it looks like one person feeds them raw while everyone else cooks.... Hmmmm... I always assumed I would need to cook meats first but maybe it's unnecessary? I've seen my chickens eat mice and moles (ugh!) and they sure didn't stop to cook them first.
Thoughts? Seems like wild protiens would have more bacteria then anything from my kitchen?

My cooking is due to the items not being fresh, allowing time for bacteria to set in.

 

[Redhead Rae]

Thanks for all the advice. I think I'll do some experiments on how they prefer the organs, cooked or not. They've been in the freezer so I'm not worried about contamination. If we liked organ meat they would be gone already.

Better for your Dogs, if you have them

My parents (who live next door) have dogs, but I would rather not waste organic certified meat on them since we aren't getting any benefit from them (meat, eggs). I might give some to our outdoor mouser though. She's been leaving presents for us on the doormat (the back end of voles). The chickens are happy to take them so the chickens can return the favor.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

Put a small amount of the frozen meat in you sink and add cold water. Water is many times more efficient at transferring heat into or out of things than air is. Cut up or dice the thawed protein into chunks about as big as dice. Feed these chunks for treats instead of the junk most hens receive for treats. If your hens are still molting this is an especially good time to feed them protein packed treats like kidneys, heart, or liver..

You use raw? I've been thinking I could do this with my organs from my Christmas Turkey, but I figured I'd cook them up and chop up to feed to the girls...

 

[Folly's place]

Cooking is always safer!!! Raw meat can be a real Salmonella farm, or Shigella, or whatever else that's out there. Just cook it and have everyone safer.
Mary