A couple FF questions

[alaskanchickens]

I also add other things to my feed and they seem to really enjoy it! I'll put BOSS or corn if it's cold, millet, oats, soaked alfalfa pellets (in the winter for greens). When they see the BOSS in there it's like Christmas morning! They all run over and start picking them out as fast as they can!

 

[Chicks Galore3]

Thank you SOOOO much you guys!!! I have ONE more question. Then I should be done. Do you find the FF freezes in cold weather?

 

[yyz0yyz0]

Thank you SOOOO much you guys!!! I have ONE more question. Then I should be done. Do you find the FF freezes in cold weather?

Of course, the water is the culprit.

I put mine out for a while and if they dont' finish it all I put it in the fridge then give it back to them the next day. This only happens because I'm getting home just before dark so they may not have enough time to finish it all before they head in for bed.

 

[Chicks Galore3]

Ok, thanks again!

 

[akelley]

I use two buckets, one is fermenting while I feed out of the other one. I keep mine thick (oatmeal consistency) so I don't have to strain. All winter my feed would freeze around the edges and the ferment slowed waaaay down. If it gets very cold where you are I'd consider keeping it inside.

Just remember to stir it up every day in warm weather or it will mold. If I stir my buckets every day I find that it keeps mold from forming. I add BOSS and alfalfa to mine too.

Good luck! You'll be amazed how much your chickens love it!

 

[Mtn Laurel]

I think everyone does it a little different. It takes a while of doing it before you decide what's best and easiest for you.

I only have 8 hens so I use a plastic/rubber like animal water bucket that I got at a farm store. I never fill it more than half full of dry product as it swells when you add the water. I use about 70% pellets and the rest is crimped oats and boss. I never cover mine with water as the girls don't like it sloppy. Mine is thick and it takes about 24 hours for it to "rise" like bread and take on that yeasty odor.

I only use one bucket. When it gets low, I just add more pellets, oats, boss, and water and begin again. I feed it to them before it's truly fermented and they like it just fine. I keep mine covered with a kitchen towel and keep it on the back porch where it normally won't freeze.

No trough. I use a large pyrex pie pan as a feeder and that works just fine. When it's really cold, I'll feed them smaller amounts twice a day so that it doesn't have time to freeze before they eat it.

 

[Chicks Galore3]

I have mine in the basement. I put to much water in mine, it's nice and watery! Oops! Guess I'll drain it and use less water next time. I think I'll get another bucket or two going so that I have a nice rotation of buckets going. After, of course, I see if they like it.

 

[alaskanchickens]

They should like it just fine! If they seem like they're not really eating it just leave it in there, don't give them a choice and they will start eating it when they get hungry. I made the mistake of leaving dry feed out for mine when I first started in case they didn't care for it and of course all they would eat was the dry. I took it away and only offered the FF and haven't had a problem. I wouldn't dump the water out, I would either add more food or split it between 2 buckets. Having multiple buckets going is great! That way you can make sure it's at least starting the fermentation process.

 

[Chicks Galore3]

How long does it take to ferment? How much ACV do you think for 5# of feed? I gave the girls and guy a scoop full...My, did they love it!!!

 

[alaskanchickens]

My first batch was about 2 lbs of feed, it swells up a lot! 2 lbs of feed filled my 5 gal bucket about 3/4 or more once it was soaked. I used a couple of splashes, maybe 2-3 Tbsp of ACV to get it going. Mine is inside around 65 degrees and took about 4 days to get fermented, cooler will take longer.