Fermentation

[PandaGirl]

Hey, I was wondering if anybody knows if you can ferment hole grains? Also can you feed fermented feed out of this container?https://www.farmandhomesupply.com/harris-farms-7lb-hanging-poultry-feeder-4226.html

Thanks!

 

[PioneerChicks]

Yes, whole grains can be fermented! Here is my method: Fermenting Chicken Feed: A Straightforward Method

I'm not sure about that container, I just feed it to the chickens on the ground or a flat container. Let's see what the others say!

 

[CraftyHen]

Same here. I use whole grains and feed it either on ground or on a couple old cookie sheets. The fermented feed is damp so I'm not sure it would flow down to the openings on the feeder the way dry feed does.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Can't serve FF out of that feeder (I have the exact same for dry) as it'll eventually get clumped up and jammed in there.

Best feeder for FF is something open - I use cat food dishes but you can use pie plates, a trough type feeder (some folks make them out of rain gutters), etc.

 

[PandaGirl]

Ok, would these two work, I know that one is a video but I could not find a good pic. Thanks!

https://www.farmandhomesupply.com/l...-feeder-89253a21f1cdd0e00416fc5e8463cbb6.html

 

[PandaGirl]

Also, can ferment the feed for the chicks?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Ok, would these two work, I know that one is a video but I could not find a good pic. Thanks!

https://www.farmandhomesupply.com/l...-feeder-89253a21f1cdd0e00416fc5e8463cbb6.html

#2 could work. #1 might work, but that style of feeder is really meant for dry feed (to prevent bill out) so it's really overkill for FF. With FF you'd generally clean the feeder daily as you'd serve a fresh batch each morning. So really some dog bowls or even tupperware are easier to deal with.

And yes you can ferment chick feed, though they may or may not want to try it at the start. At least mine don't want to eat it for the first few weeks.

 

[parvani]

I don't advocate letting feed rot and then calling it fermented. If you are leaving feed wet and just letting any old wild yeast, mold, and bacteria grow in it, that's not "fermented" -- that's ROTTEN.

EEWWWW...

If you want to ferment feed that your chickens will find DELICIOUS, and will prefer over all other feed, you need to control exactly which organisms grow in it.

Start with a clean bucket that has a lid, a clean cloth that's big enough to cover the top of the bucket, and some ROOSTER BOOSTER or other chicken probiotics blend. I use Rooster Booster because it has the widest variety of probiotic organisms in it.

I ferment crumble-type feed. I have no idea how well this works with whole grains. I suspect they would need an additional day to absorb the water.

You will only make enough to feed your chickens for one day. Make a new batch every day, because feed gets sour and nasty if it sits too long.

This recipe makes about two gallons of feed. Adjust it for your flock size.

Fill the bucket with one gallon of clean water. Add the amount of probiotics for one gallon. (For Rooster Booster, add 1/3 teaspoon.) Mix well.

Now slowly pour your dry feed into the water, stirring as you go to prevent clumps. Keep adding feed until the mixture seems to thicken and there is only an inch or so of water on the top.

Dampen the clean cloth, stretch it over the top, and put the lid on top of it to hold it in place. (This is so the living organisms that are now growing in the feed can breathe. They need air, but you cover it to keep out nasty wild yeasts and mold and mildew.)

Check it a couple hours later. If it still looks really loose and watery, add a little bit more feed.

By the next morning, your feed will have grown BIGGER, and will be fluffy with all the trapped air from the organisms that are breathing in it. Stir it up to release the air.

Smell it. Doesn't it smell GOOD?? It's ready for your chickens to eat.

*******************************

Before all you old-timers yell at me, "That's not how you do it! I've fed my chooks rotten feed for years!"... Please. Just try it first. See if your birds don't dive head first into this fermented feed.

It's the difference between rotten juice and fine wine. Trust me on this... Your chickens will LOVE it.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

 

[PandaGirl]

Ok, do any of you know how much feed a Orpington eats on average of FF?

 

[JaeG]

Ok, do any of you know how much feed a Orpington eats on average of FF?

Once they get a taste for it they will initially eat more than they usually would, but that does reduce and they will settle into a less manic feeding pattern. So it's a matter of playing around with portions to figure out about how much your flock needs. Some days they'll clean the plate, other days there will be leftovers.