Fermented feed?

[kesrchicky16]

See if this helps you understand it a little better:
https://tikktok.wordpress.com/2014/04/13/fermented-feed-faq/

Ok so I have 1 follow up question. I read the link. I've started my feed and water. I may feed some to a sickly chicken I'm concerned about before the 4 days is up. All that being said...

Does it grow/get bigger/ take up more space as it fermented?

My bucket is kinda on the full side and it is just wet feed at this point.

 

[lazy gardener]

Oh yes... oh yes it does! If your bucket is almost full, you might want to remove some to an other container. If you have a bird that is not doing well, it would be a good thing to give the FF early, even if it's just wet and not fermented at all at this point!

Ever make bread? Note how the dough "doubles in size". Your FF will not double, but it will certainly grow.

 

[lereg]

After you ferment the feed, how long does it stay healthy for? And, I may have missed it, but do you have to mash the feed before you add the water?

 

[kesrchicky16]

I make sure to cycle it every 3 days. I made enough for a week and ended up with mold. Yes you use mash or crumbles not pellets for fermented feed.

 

[Ruralhideaway]

I backslop. I feed from my container morning then afternoon, then as it's almost empty I add more feed and water, making sure I wash the sides down good. Repeat daily. Haven't cleaned that container right out for a few months.

The new batch ferments over night from the leftovers. So I understand anyway, it puffs up good for sure.

 

[lazy gardener]

After you ferment the feed, how long does it stay healthy for? And, I may have missed it, but do you have to mash the feed before you add the water?

It depends on the temperature. Generally, I like to feed it out by day three, then I save back a bit as starter for the next bucket full.

I make sure to cycle it every 3 days. I made enough for a week and ended up with mold. Yes you use mash or crumbles not pellets for fermented feed.

You can use mash, crumbles, pellets, or whole/cracked grain formulations to make fermented feed. Crumbles are simply pellets that have been crumbled. When pellets get wet, they will break down and look just like wet mash or crumbles.

 

[lereg]

Ok, thank you both for the info!!

 

[Ruralhideaway]

I think most mold issues are prevented by stirring daily and keeping the sides cleaned up. I use a rubber scraper thing shaped like a spoon.

 

[lereg]

I think most mold issues are prevented by stirring daily and keeping the sides cleaned up. I use a rubber scraper thing shaped like a spoon.

I'm sure I can find something around here that I can use. When the time comes, I'll be using a 5 gal bucket, so I'm sure I have a rubber scraper around here somewhere.

 

[Ruralhideaway]

I'm having issues with scratch n peck grower. I've had that grow mold twice on me. Right now I seem to be doing better with it if I add about 20% of my regular pellet or crumble grower.

With the whole grain foods it's easier to have standing water over the top of the feed but I can't say in my own experience that that's a good thing. Which is odd because that's the usual recommendation, water over the top to avoid air. I'm all ears if anyone has comments.