Fermented feed

[DebD]

Great usage of wet food! I like the idea of training them to come with it. I'm sure it would work as well or better than my all-time fav: dry mealworms! (It's like popcorn to my girls.) Thanks for taking the time to share your ideas and experience!

 

[rosemarythyme]

I like the idea of each of my hens having an equal share of food when they eat so I like the trough idea...like pvc pipe cut into a trough, right? And, since you personally use fermented feed, do you measure out the same amt as you would if you were feeding dry? Also (sorry!), do you have feed available all day or feed the fermented only? Thank you so much for your time!

Reality is each one is going to eat slightly different amounts so don't worry about trying to get them all to eat it equally. Some may like it more than others (most do seem to like it better than dry feed though).

I don't actually measure what I feed daily (I have a general amount of FF I put out each morning) but the rest of their daily feed is dry pellets. Too much hassle for me to have to measure out precise amounts of FF and provide it twice a day.

Also I don't personally feel as though this cuts down my feed budget by much, but what I do like is it cuts down on waste a lot. Before my chickens wouldn't eat any of the powdery bits left in the feed, plus certain grains that they didn't like, so I was throwing out maybe 5% or more of the feed (plus the powders are where vitamins, minerals and protein are). With fermented feed the waste is down to 1% or less, and the chickens are eating everything.

 

[DebD]

Well, that seems to be the consensus. Any savings is from less waste vs. feeding less. Thanks for your thoughts. Much appreciated!

 

[Glk]

For those of you who feed your chickens fermented feed, I would like to know how you feed it to them. Some people just throw it on the ground while others feed it to them in a pan (which makes a mess). Has anyone come up with a way for all of them to eat it at the same time (like a hanging feeder dispenses dry feed) and without mess? Thanks!

I give my 8 week old flock fermented crumble chick starter in the morning then again in the evening with hanging feeder with chick crumble available 24 - 7.. they are healthy and growing like weeds.

 

[DebD]

I think that's the best way to get the availability of nutrients from some fermented feed yet still give them all the dry feed they can eat. Just supplementing their balanced diet with more probiotics, etc. Good thought. Thanks!

 

[ThunderClucker]

For those of you who feed your chickens fermented feed, I would like to know how you feed it to them. Some people just throw it on the ground while others feed it to them in a pan (which makes a mess). Has anyone come up with a way for all of them to eat it at the same time (like a hanging feeder dispenses dry feed) and without mess? Thanks!

I'm relatively new to the fermented food method. I do both, I throw it in a trough (seems to dry up quickly) and on the ground. I do it twice a day to make sure everyone gets to eat. I put mealworms, and apple cider vinegar in it and they Chow down. My biggest problem is my container size doesn't allow me to ferment for long.

 

[DobieLover]

I've been fermenting my chickens feed from the beginning.
I feed in long hanging troughs I made from 4" PVC pipes. I have 10 linear feet of troughs that the chickens eat from in both sides so 20 linear feet equivalent.
The beauty of fermented feed is increased nutrient profile and very little waste.

 

[sayccrn]

I've been fermenting my chickens feed from the beginning.
I feed in long hanging troughs I made from 4" PVC pipes. I have 10 linear feet of troughs that the chickens eat from in both sides so 20 linear feet equivalent.
The beauty of fermented feed is increased nutrient profile and very little waste.
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Ok. I just made my first batch. I read here someone said they like mash potato consistency. Mine is very watery. Do I drain it?

 

[NatJ]

Ok. I just made my first batch. I read here someone said they like mash potato consistency. Mine is very watery. Do I drain it?

Easiest thing to try: offer a small amount and see if they like it. Your chickens are the final judge of what's "right." In hot summer weather, extra moisture might be a good thing.

 

[sayccrn]

Easiest thing to try: offer a small amount and see if they like it. Your chickens are the final judge of what's "right." In hot summer weather, extra moisture might be a good thing.

Ok..thank you! Do I store it in the frig?