Fermented Feed Mason Jars

[trumpeting_angel]

I think many of us think of BYC first! I told my fiancé that I want electric fencing (portable), that electric fencing has come a long way since he last encountered it as a lad, and that the town clerk recommended it. He is so suspicious of the Internet he said he wanted to know what real local Vermonters do! The town clerk is as real as they get...

 

[Henriettamom919]

I think many of us think of BYC first! I told my fiancé that I want electric fencing (portable), that electric fencing has come a long way since he last encountered it as a lad, and that the town clerk recommended it. He is so suspicious of the Internet he said he wanted to know what real local Vermonters do! The town clerk is as real as they get...

My hubby used to be naturally skeptical of internet information too but even he's a convert to the Divine Wisdom that is the BYC community! Anytime our chicks so much as sneeze he's all "Go ask your 'chicken friends ' about xyz"

I talk about the stories and info I find on here ad nauseam so I think it's conversion via subliminal messaging at this point

 

[Alaskan]

Darn it one more thing we are in Bethel Alaska so it does really get dark here the sunsets at 12:17 am and rises at 5:13 am right now we have been putting them inside when it does start getting dark will they know when it’s timw to go in??

Chicks just don't know.

I pick a time that I want them to go to bed, and toss them into their coop, and lock them up.

If you are consistent with when you lock them up then usually after a week they figure out when they need to go to bed.

The old hens know when to go to bed every night, the long sunlight doesn't mess them up.

As to no sunlight in the winter.... then you do need a light on a timer so that they get enough time to eat.

Chickens are happy to sleep when it is light out (so in the summer) but they will not get off their roosts when it stays dark (in the winter).

I like giving them 10 hours of light as that is enough time for them to eat, but not so much light that they are forced to lay.

Also, when it starts getting cold (below 10F, definitely below 0 F) you want to feed them a high protein feed. 18 or 20 percent is good. I also give them salmon scraps, and any left over fat or oil. I mix the oils in with their pellets.

 

[Bethel_Alaska]

Chicks just don't know.

I pick a time that I want them to go to bed, and toss them into their coop, and lock them up.

If you are consistent with when you lock them up then usually after a week they figure out when they need to go to bed.

The old hens know when to go to bed every night, the long sunlight doesn't mess them up.

As to no sunlight in the winter.... then you do need a light on a timer so that they get enough time to eat.

Chickens are happy to sleep when it is light out (so in the summer) but they will not get off their roosts when it stays dark (in the winter).

I like giving them 10 hours of light as that is enough time for them to eat, but not so much light that they are forced to lay.

Also, when it starts getting cold (below 10F, definitely below 0 F) you want to feed them a high protein feed. 18 or 20 percent is good. I also give them salmon scraps, and any left over fat or oil. I mix the oils in with their pellets.

Thank you thank you thank you so much for all the helpful info and advice I am so greatful for all of you that offer your knowledge and wisdom and to take the time to reply

What part of Alaska are you in if I may ask?

 

[Leigti]

When it comes to feeding fermented to your chickens try the one bucket method instead of the three jar method. It is much easier, no hassles. I have 13 adult chickens and I use a 3 gallon bucket. But you can use a smaller bucket if you want. Start with One part feed to one part water and stir well. You can start feeding it immediately but it will take a couple days to ferment. Stir it daily. Add food and water when needed to the existing stuff in the bucket. You never really have to clean it out. Scrape down the sides daily, if it starts to get too strong just add more feed and water. I have been doing this for years with no problems.

 

[Bethel_Alaska]

When it comes to feeding fermented to your chickens try the one bucket method instead of the three jar method. It is much easier, no hassles. I have 13 adult chickens and I use a 3 gallon bucket. But you can use a smaller bucket if you want. Start with One part feed to one part water and stir well. You can start feeding it immediately but it will take a couple days to ferment. Stir it daily. Add food and water when needed to the existing stuff in the bucket. You never really have to clean it out. Scrape down the sides daily, if it starts to get too strong just add more feed and water. I have been doing this for years with no problems.

Thank you for sharing we have 7 8week olds and 3 5week olds so a totally of 10 for now and so I feed them ff twice a day how do I do it with just one bucket doesn’t it need to sit for at least 48 hours depending on how warm it is?

 

[ChickenTender516]

When it comes to feeding fermented to your chickens try the one bucket method instead of the three jar method. It is much easier, no hassles. I have 13 adult chickens and I use a 3 gallon bucket. But you can use a smaller bucket if you want. Start with One part feed to one part water and stir well. You can start feeding it immediately but it will take a couple days to ferment. Stir it daily. Add food and water when needed to the existing stuff in the bucket. You never really have to clean it out. Scrape down the sides daily, if it starts to get too strong just add more feed and water. I have been doing this for years with no problems.

How much of the fermented are you feeding for your chickens? I ferment with a mason jar for my 5 girls, but I'm brooding 16 chicks and 2 ducks right now so I'll need to step up my game once they are all together. My older girls LOVE their fermented feed but I only feed that in the am. I was thinking about starting to ferment a small batch of chick starter/ grower for the younger birds, too... or should I just keep them on the dry crumbles until they are older?

Thank you for sharing we have 7 8week olds and 3 5week olds so a totally of 10 for now and so I feed them ff twice a day how do I do it with just one bucket doesn’t it need to sit for at least 48 hours depending on how warm it is?

I'm pretty new to this but I basically go by smell when it comes to rinsing my jars out. And sometimes I forget to start a new jar so they get it when it's only been soaked over night from time to time. Obviously not as beneficial but better than nothing lol. I swear fermenting got my hens laying again after molting. The run to their bowl even before eating vege scraps in the morning.

 

[igorsMistress]

I don't wash the bucket, just make a bit more than necessary to feed my flock for the day and leave the dregs to get the next batch going.

 

[Alaskan]

Thank you thank you thank you so much for all the helpful info and advice I am so greatful for all of you that offer your knowledge and wisdom and to take the time to reply

What part of Alaska are you in if I may ask?

Only a bit south of you, but way to your East... close to Homer.

 

[Bethel_Alaska]

How much of the fermented are you feeding for your chickens? I ferment with a mason jar for my 5 girls, but I'm brooding 16 chicks and 2 ducks right now so I'll need to step up my game once they are all together. My older girls LOVE their fermented feed but I only feed that in the am. I was thinking about starting to ferment a small batch of chick starter/ grower for the younger birds, too... or should I just keep them on the dry crumbles until they are older?



I'm pretty new to this but I basically go by smell when it comes to rinsing my jars out. And sometimes I forget to start a new jar so they get it when it's only been soaked over night from time to time. Obviously not as beneficial but better than nothing lol. I swear fermenting got my hens laying again after molting. The run to their bowl even before eating vege scraps in the morning.

I have been feeding FF since we got our day old chicks they love it I feel that it makes there poo less stinky but that just might be me.

Thank you for your helpful info I greatly appreciate it