Fermented feed causing squishy crops?

[Hanathehappyhen]

I’ve just started fermenting feed and have noticed that the crop is a lot squishier than normal. I checked and no sour crop. I’m guessing that because fermented feed has much more water in it it makes the crop squishy. If that’s correct how do you strain most of the liquid out? I’ve just been tossing a few scoops in a strainer which leaves it runny and sludgy.

 

[cherrynberry]

I’ve just started fermenting feed and have noticed that the crop is a lot squishier than normal. I checked and no sour crop. I’m guessing that because fermented feed has much more water in it it makes the crop squishy. If that’s correct how do you strain most of the liquid out? I’ve just been tossing a few scoops in a strainer which leaves it runny and sludgy.

Its quite hard to shift it out, I usually take 20 minutes just to shift it, I have now switched to dry feed mainly. You can add in a handful of dry feed to solidify it a bit. Otherwise, being a little wet is totally fine. I also see some people just dump it on the ground and let the dirt absorb the water...I personally dont really go with that...but there are many ways

 

[Hanathehappyhen]

Its quite hard to shift it out, I usually take 20 minutes just to shift it, I have now switched to dry feed mainly. You can add in a handful of dry feed to solidify it a bit. Otherwise, being a little wet is totally fine. I also see some people just dump it on the ground and let the dirt absorb the water...I personally dont really go with that...but there are many ways

Ok thanks! I wouldn’t want to dump it on the ground either.

 

[NatJ]

I’ve just started fermenting feed and have noticed that the crop is a lot squishier than normal. I checked and no sour crop. I’m guessing that because fermented feed has much more water in it it makes the crop squishy. If that’s correct how do you strain most of the liquid out? I’ve just been tossing a few scoops in a strainer which leaves it runny and sludgy.

Are you noticing any problems, or just a change?

If the chickens seem fine, I would not worry about it.

 

[Hanathehappyhen]

Are you noticing any problems, or just a change?

If the chickens seem fine, I would not worry about

Thanks! and they seem fine.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Rather than strain it, experiment with the feed to water ratio to yield a result that's about as thick as stiff oatmeal, and feed straight from that. My unscientific method is feed halfway in the jar, and then enough water to cover about 1/2-1" (less in cold weather, more in hot weather). By the next day the water is absorbed but the result is stiff enough to stick a spoon in and stay upright.