Need a simple recipe for Fermented Feed

Hi,

I have two sick chickens who are on the mend, but their meds have made them lose their appetites and they won't eat their food no matter how fancy I make it. I have heard about fermented feed from some BYC members and I have tried to read through the various threads on it, boy is that exhausting, and I am still a bit confused on how to get started. Since I only have two chickens, I wanted to start with a fairly small batch. I have read that some people use apple cider vinegar and others don't. I don't know how long I am supposed to let it sit, or how much of each ingredient to add. Does anyone know of a simple recipe to make pellets/crumbles into fermented feed?

Try looking at this BYC Article: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/no-strain-hot-water-easy-fermented-feed-method-w-video

She does it in 5 gal buckets and there is not really a recipe, but the video shows how it works. It does use the ACV. Once you see it, you could do the same thing in smaller containers making sure it continued to 'look' similar to how she does it. I haven't tried this yet (but I'm gonna!). Seems the hot water speeds up the process of fermentation, so I'm not sure how long it will take before you can feed. Her pictures show it looking 'feed ready' to me in about 12 hours. Might want to let it go 24 hours. This process allows you to feed just the top 'loaf' and then add more feed/hot water to the leftover liquid in the bottom. For only 2 hens, I'd try it in a small 1 gal bucket and see if I couldn't get the consistency to look like hers, cover with an old pair of nylons and go from there.

Also, other than fermented feed, you can try things to tempt the recovering hens. Mashed up boiled eggs are usually accepted well. Mine like 'oatmeal'. I just take the rolled oats from the pantry, add some water, let sit a bit until it softens somewhat and they go crazy over it. I've even warmed it in the microwave in the winter to give as a warm treat on cold days.

Good luck and I hope your hens start feeling stronger soon.

I am trying this on a super scaled down version. I fear I may have gotten too much water in it, but I am supposed to stir it for a whole day. I don't know if I got enough of the vinegar in it or not. This whole waiting 2-5 days thing is really frustrating though. I want food and I want it now!!! Hopefully I got it to work properly.

I have been doing batches for awhile. Easiest is a container of your choosing.
Add your feed (pellets/crumble/chick starter) whatever food you're feeding. Use a measuring cup since its a small batch.
If you have ACV WITH mother in it (cloudy kind not clear kind)- use a tablespoon. It has antibiotic properties and is good for them. I add it to their water. If you dont- don't worry about it not a necessity.

Add 2 cups dry feed and 6 cups water. Stir well. Cover with dishcloth and keep at room temp. Stir a couple more times over the next hour and add a cup of water as needed to keep the water level an inch or two above the feed. (The feed will absorb water and expand is why you check and stir the 1st hour)
48 hours or less it should be bubbly.
Strain until its the consistancy of thick oatmeal or mashed potatoes and feed, start with just a cup at a time for the two girls and there should be minimum left, no waste poops smell so much better too.

I feed immediately because I keep a lil in the container with the liquid and just add more feed and water every other day. The "soupy sauce" stays fermented and can be used to jump start each batch after.

You can technically feed immediately. The fermenting will continue, just replace the food as fed and over a few days will be fermented still. It won't harm the birds, they just don't het the added benefits of the ff until it ferments. But they DO get a day or two to get used to wet feed

Old post, but new answers: http://tikktok.wordpress.com/2014/04/13/fermented-feed-faq/

Also, numerous links to the great FF thread here.