Fermented feed for house pets?

[FloppyEaredFarm]

I've recently started fermenting our chicken feed because everyone is singing the praises of all the health benefits. It has me thinking about all my other animals and wondering if I could do the same for them. We have three dogs, two cats, and a Green Cheek Conure (bird). I make the bird food from healthy grains (quinoa, brown rice, oats), eggs, vegetables, nuts, etc.. We buy dry dog and cat food. What exactly is fermentable? Are any of these? Thank you!!

 

[EmAbTo48]

Can you explain exactly what you use on your chickens and your process for fermenting their feed? I know theirs a whole thread on it but honestly I still don't get it LOL!

 

[FloppyEaredFarm]

I'm very new so I don't do anything fancy. Eventually I want to make their feed but right now I buy feed. All I do is take enough feed for a few days, put enough water for it to abosrb, plus make it soupy (keep checking on it until it has absorbed all the water. It takes more than you think). Leave it in a semi warm place (60 or warmer) either uncovered or loosely covered. To get it started, throw in a tablespoon or two or UNPASTEURIZED apple cider vinegar if you want. This just gets it fermenting faster. It will ferment by picking up the wild yeast in the air if you don't have the ACV. With the ACV it should ferment by the next day or so. Without it, maybe a few days? You will know it is fermenting by the smell. Kind of like sourdough starter. It will also have bubbles. Stir it each day. And avoid use of metal...wooden/plastic fermenter, spoons, and feeding bowls. I replace about as much as I take out each day with feed and water (no need for ACV once it's already fermenting). I found that if I took a lot (over half) of the fermented stuff at once, it seemed to have to start the fermenting process over again, so I try to keep enough that I never have to take out too much at once.That will keep enough of the good bugs in there You can drain the liquid back into the fermenting feed when you take some out to feed them. That keeps even more of the good bugs in there. Not much else. Right now, my little ones are young, so I use a LARGE yourt container to ferment it. But soon I will need to start using a bucket once they get older and eat more. I can't wait to make their food too! My chicks took to it super quick. They love it! It might be because I started them on it young. Not sure how long it would take adults to get used to it. Anyway, I hope that helps. I didn't really get it at first either, but I just did exactly what I read on the fermenting thread and figured it out. If you've ever done sourdough starter, it's basically the same process (don't worry, it puffs up a little bit, but won't double in size everyday like starter!).

 

[thailand]

Hi,

I'm so glad I found this thread.....I also ferment my chicken feed and have been wondering if I can ferment my dog and cat kibble?

Hope someone else who's tried this already chimes in soon. I'll be eagerly watching this thread