BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[jbkirk]

I don't want to get into a pizzing contest with ANYONE about this but I let my FF drain for about 8 hours before I feed it. I know others just scoop it out of the container and feed. Don't know if that could make a difference or not. I likely wouldn't have to drain it that long but it works well for my system and routine.

We just make ours thick enough so that there is no extra fluid.

 

[DesertChic]

I don't want to get into a pizzing contest with ANYONE about this but I let my FF drain for about 8 hours before I feed it. I know others just scoop it out of the container and feed. Don't know if that could make a difference or not. I likely wouldn't have to drain it that long but it works well for my system and routine.

How long do you soak the feed before draining it? Is the mixture relatively dry afterward? I'm really interested because during the warmer months (so...75% of the year), I can't actually ferment the feed because it goes moldy so I only soak enough for the flocks to eat in a single day. Your method sounds like it could work better for me...maybe.

 

[Molpet]

How long do you soak the feed before draining it? Is the mixture relatively dry afterward? I'm really interested because during the warmer months (so...75% of the year), I can't actually ferment the feed because it goes moldy so I only soak enough for the flocks to eat in a single day. Your method sounds like it could work better for me...maybe.

In the warmer weather I just do 24 hrs...winter 3-4 days ... I use this method https://tikktok.wordpress.com/2014/04/13/fermented-feed-faq/

 

[Gorman Farm]

I believe that is what gives 'blukote' the purple hue .. it's in the ingredient list on my bottle

You can just order the Gentain Violet online or get it at the health food store. I think that would be a great idea because the condition is caused by yeast.
I do know that it is the absolute best remedy for ear yeast infections in dogs, far better than anything the vets give you. It is really "blue" and it does stain, but that would be my first choice along with the ACV if it were to happen to me. Mainly because I have had to deal with yeasty dog ears and I know it works.

 

[Beer can]

Warm months I only go to 24hrs on FF, you know when it's good. But that's re-using lot's of water in the bucket. Why not, all the good working stuff is in the water, use lots of it and your starting with way more bacteria, gets a new batch going quick. The feed I use is feed mill laying mash, lots of whole and cracked grains and legumes, powder also and some green stuff. When I scoop it out the water drains right off, it is nothing like fermented pellets or crumble that turns into soup with too much water. Very easy to get into 'pizzing' matches with the amount of water I use even with pics of the water drained right off Lol! Very little to no water in the feed bowls and no sloppy mush. Same with the FF being worth it pizzing match, don't care what the big time $$ making 'feed experts/nutritionalists' say, I know from my own personal experience I'm saving $$ no doubt and no study needed.
"And you can get feed with prebiotics, probiotics from Purina"
But I pay $10 a 50lb bag, how many free bags do I get a yr compared?...

 

[DesertChic]

I am so happy right now! I just performed another candling and I'm once again glad that I don't pitch eggs after the day 7 candling, because one of Clara Belle's eggs is actually fertile!

The only rooster I ever saw mate her was a NN, but it's entirely possible that another rooster got to her when I wasn't looking since they were free-ranging. I'm just tickled I got a fertile egg out of her. Way to go big girl!!!

 

[Gorman Farm]

I am so happy right now! I just performed another candling and I'm once again glad that I don't pitch eggs after the day 7 candling, because one of Clara Belle's eggs is actually fertile!

The only rooster I ever saw mate her was a NN, but it's entirely possible that another rooster got to her when I wasn't looking since they were free-ranging. I'm just tickled I got a fertile egg out of her. Way to go big girl!!!

Yippee...I feel ya I am having a hard time with candling my turkey eggs they are harder than the chicken eggs. I tossed all my clear chicken eggs, and I cracked them open I was right on all of them, I cannot get myself to pitch the turkey eggs just yet..I am happy that at least 4 of the english Orpington eggs I got from Bobbi are still looking viable...I feel your excitement...

 

[Turk Raphael]

How long do you soak the feed before draining it? Is the mixture relatively dry afterward? I'm really interested because during the warmer months (so...75% of the year), I can't actually ferment the feed because it goes moldy so I only soak enough for the flocks to eat in a single day. Your method sounds like it could work better for me...maybe.

Just like @jbkirk I mix mine very thick but there is almost always a bit of fluid that drips out into a different bucket that I set the strainer over and when it's time to feed, I pour the dripped liquid back into the mix. As jb said, if you keep the top covered with water, it will not mold.

I don't think you are feeding FF but rather wet food. That shouldn't harm them in any way but will give them additional fluid.

I haven't started a new batch in over 3 years but when my mix gets down to about 1/4 of material, I add a couple glugs of raw vinegar and more water, mix the whole mess up and immediately pour more dry crumbles into it. I don't even bother to stir the mess because it's so thick, it would take a machine to do it. I have learned by experience how much dry material to dump into the mix, rarely over-doing it. I watch it for a while and if I have added too much, I scoop some out into a smaller (2 gal.) bucket and cover it with water, to be added back after a couple uses.

If you don't understand any of this, just let me know and I'll try to make it more clear.

Edited to say, I'm wondering if what you are calling mold is what I call SCOBY?...A blueish film that covers the entire top of the mess?

 

[Turk Raphael]

I am so happy right now! I just performed another candling and I'm once again glad that I don't pitch eggs after the day 7 candling, because one of Clara Belle's eggs is actually fertile!

The only rooster I ever saw mate her was a NN, but it's entirely possible that another rooster got to her when I wasn't looking since they were free-ranging. I'm just tickled I got a fertile egg out of her. Way to go big girl!!!

Can I assume she is from Linda's stock?

 

[Kassaundra]

Just like @jbkirk I mix mine very thick but there is almost always a bit of fluid that drips out into a different bucket that I set the strainer over and when it's time to feed, I pour the dripped liquid back into the mix. As jb said, if you keep the top covered with water, it will not mold.

I don't think you are feeding FF but rather wet food. That shouldn't harm them in any way but will give them additional fluid.

I haven't started a new batch in over 3 years but when my mix gets down to about 1/4 of material, I add a couple glugs of raw vinegar and more water, mix the whole mess up and immediately pour more dry crumbles into it. I don't even bother to stir the mess because it's so thick, it would take a machine to do it. I have learned by experience how much dry material to dump into the mix, rarely over-doing it. I watch it for a while and if I have added too much, I scoop some out into a smaller (2 gal.) bucket and cover it with water, to be added back after a couple uses.

If you don't understand any of this, just let me know and I'll try to make it more clear.

Edited to say, I'm wondering if what you are calling mold is what I call SCOBY?...A blueish film that covers the entire top of the mess?

Exactly, true ferment won't mold, the environment is very hostile to mold growth, but is does get a film that is completely fine and won't hurt to stir in or feed out to the chickens. My ferment has been going for nearly 5 years now, but I ferment grains.