4th Annual BYC NYD Hatch-a-long

[ronott1]

Ron,
Not everyone uses soy in feeds
Do you think that is the reason people ferment feeds?

No, I said that would be one benefit. I was agreeing that it was a good thing to do. If you fermented it, Organic Soy would be good for the chickens(non gmo) It is like Natto, which is fermented soy and although many don't like the flavor, it is one of the best things for us to eat!

 

[delisha]

Quote: kewl..thanks for the information..I had no idea

 

[cluck-cluck]

Fermented Feed:

It has several benifits

it creates beneficial flora in the gut
it helps absorb vitamins, minerals, nutriants
the birds eat less
less waste in feed
saves money
helps to repel internal worms

New chicks once established on FF do not have stopped up bumbs
Adult birds have less odor in coops

Didn't know about the worms!

I still dont get what "feed" to use.... I get a premixed mash from the local feed mill.... this is what confuses me : (
I would love to at least do it for the layers and chicks!
AND what about winter freeze? Do you bucket it out to feed them?

Sally, I stopped here, several pages back, to let you know how I do it. I just have one bucket at the moment, I think two buckets would be best because then I could have the feed ferment longer. But as it is, what I do is try to feed everyone last time around noon, then I take my bag of mash, pour a bit more than I think I'll need for the next day into the bucket, add tepid water a couple of inches above the feed after stirring (it sucks up a lot of water) then set it down to ferment until about 9 AM the next day. The original bucket full, I added ACV to get the fermentation started. It smells like beer!

I use a spaghetti spoon to scoop and drain out the feed, then dish it out into bowls for the birds that way. It's easy and I just add feed the next afternoon to feed out the next morning, keeping it in the house at about 60-70 degrees. It may not be as long a fermentation as it should be though. I plan on doing this with two buckets so they get a day and a half to ferment instead. I'm using home depot orange buckets and lids (lids put on loosely to keep interior clean but allow the air to escape (it bubbles). I find this to be the easiest for me, rather than a double bucket system. Also, since I use mash, I think it'd go right through any holes I'd drill at the bottom, also, doesn't feed got through anyway and collect in the bottom bucket? I dunno? But it works for me and the birds like it

These are some gouldian finches I was hand feeding (they are terrible parents).

Deb

Wow, That's so cool! They kind of look like ants!

cool!! do you know if someone has pics of the strainer system you use? Think I should start with the chick starter? and can I do this for the ducklings feed and serama feed too?

You can ferment any mix that you normally use.

 

[ronott1]

Quote: kewl..thanks for the information..I had no idea
Non Fermented Soy or soy that has not been heated is restricted to a certain percentage of the feed because of toxicity. Peas are similar since they are related to soy beans. Actually, all legumes are like that.

One of the reasons I mentioned the fermentation making them safe is that not everyone can get or afford non-soy. I am switching off between a soy feed, Wheat with ultra kibble and non-soy, non corn with fish meal in it.(Cascade Layer from McGill). I will probably start fermenting soon.

I have noticed that if I feed my chickens all non soy, non corn with fishmeal they will also eat a bunch for a week or so and then slow way down. If fermentation does the same thing, then I could get the same benefit without paying $33.00 per 50 # of feed. I can get non soy, non corn natural for $22.00 per 50#s. Big savings even with 30 chickens and the amount of feed I go through each month.....

 

[SilkieSensation]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/735620/attention-canadian-egg-swappers

This thread is to see how much interest there is in a Canadian Egg Swap thread. I saw several people asking for 1 throughout the hatch-a-long.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Sally make sure you do stick up for your self about what you won. I know they have so much work today and its all kinda convaluted but its been almost 2 weeks since new years and some of them I think were befor new years , so you have every right to Know exactly what you have won and when you might be getting it. . Even though I teased you about winning so much I am super happy for you and very excited about your winnings I cant wait to hear about all you won and all that . And to hear about how excited your daughter is with all the new eggs and things.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

In my Fermented Feed, I use:

1. scratch grains,
2. Purina Flock Raiser crumbles or Layena pellets (depending on the age of the flock)
3. black oil sunflower seeds with the shell on
4. safflower seed without the shel
5. and sometimes others things (end of the oatmeal, heels of dry bread, veggie scraps, etc)

I started with Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar "with the Mother", about two tablespoons full, in 1 and 1/2 gallons of water straight from the outside hydrant in a three gallon bucket.
I added a large scoop of scratch, one third of a scoop of crumbles (or pellets), quarter of a scoop of black oil sunflower seeds, small handful of safflower seeds. I "swirl" the bucket around, cover with a piece of cardboard large enough to cover the whole top of the bucket.
I kept it in the barn during the fall but it now resides on the laundry room floor.
To feed, I have a plastic colander that put over a second bucket (mine is a horse water bucket that has one flat side intended to hang against a wall). I pour the mix into the colander which holds the grains, seeds and "swollen" crumbles/pellets. It drains while I open the coop doors and check waterers. I then put the mix into various bowls/dishes/troughs around the coop and yard so that everyone gets a fair chance to eat. I use a smaller plastic scoop to serve it up.
I take the liquid left from draining and put it back it the bucket and add water to get it back to 1 and 1/2 gallons and add the grains, seeds and feed. No need to add more ACV.
Great stuff! Finished my Freedom Rangers on it and now my flock all gets it.
I can post pics tomorrow of the buckets and colander if interested but right now it is my bedtime.......

Quote: So I only ADD ACV to get it started, dont ever add more? Interesting... thank you..... Do you think I am safe to start with one for the chicks and ducklings? I dont want to hurt them : (

 

[SilkieSensation]

So I only ADD ACV to get it started, dont ever add more? Interesting... thank you..... Do you think I am safe to start with one for the chicks and ducklings? I dont want to hurt them : (

From what I have seen, you only have to add more ACV if your process begins to slow down (no bubbles/no fermentation).

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Quote:

 

[NotAFarm]

So I only ADD ACV to get it started, dont ever add more? Interesting... thank you..... Do you think I am safe to start with one for the chicks and ducklings? I dont want to hurt them : (

There was just one other time I've added any more ACV to my mix. It was when the weather was turning cold and I was gone for two days. I didn't have my "chicken sitter" fool with the ferment, just left the bucket with the mix covered in the barn. When I got home and drained it, there wasn't much liquid and it was very cold. I added about a tablespoon to the new water and brought the bucket into the house at that point. The ferment will slow down and then stop altogether if it gets too cold. I started mine in Sept and it was a warm fall, but I didn't have to deal with mid summer temps so don't have any experience with the extreme heat.
Do Not use metal pails, colandars, stirrers, scoops or feeders with it.
No, you won't hurt them. It does not take much ACV and the grains/crumble will naturally ferment. Think of yeast bread dough, warm is perfect, too hot or too cold doesn't work as well. I started by putting a little on top of some dry crumble. They'll love it eventually, even if they seem picky about it at first.