Fermented feed

[Jimbo white beard]

How early can you start feeding fermented feed to your chicks.

 

[Perris]

Now, in theory. You can ferment chick feed - though if it's medicated I wouldn't.

 

[2Old2Crow]

I’ve read a few questions regarding fermented feed. What gives with this stuff? I will say, the chick starter smells really good, and I bet I could make a batch of home brew from it!

 

[SueT]

I give my chicks fermented feed from day 1. It is a nice starter food, being wet. When the weather is warm, I ferment the next day's feed the night before. (I use Purina Flock Raiser, and add a dash of ACV or leftover fermented feed) Overnite it gets a pleasant yeasty smell to it. All my chickens of all ages eat it. I feed it in dog bowls. They don't waste it. They don't walk in it.
If I try to ferment it longer, I feel it gets too 'sharp.' Tho many others may do it differently.

 

[blackdog043]

You can start from day one. I put mine in a chick waterer base with a jar screwed to the base. It helps to keep them from stepping in it. I hang it in the brooder as they get older.

Bottom right is the fermented hanging

 

[Tamdog]

How long before it molds? If they do not eat it in one day does it go bad?

 

[Dephora]

How long before it molds? If they do not eat it in one day does it go bad?

So I only give them as much as I know they will eat in a day. I toss out what they don't finish into the worm bin or my compost. I don't feel right about leaving it exposed to air for too long considering what spores may be floating around. The fermenting bucket doesn't mold as I always have water on top and a cheese cloth over it, I just add the amount of feed I take out that day back in and give it a good stir.

Depending on their age you start getting a good idea of how much they eat.

 

[Jimbo white beard]

I’ve read a few questions regarding fermented feed. What gives with this stuff? I will say, the chick starter smells really good, and I bet I could make a batch of home brew from it!

from what I have heard they Quail get more nutrients from the feed an it doesn’t get wasted. But not sure baby chicks can eat it.

 

[Jimbo white beard]

You can start from day one. I put mine in a chick waterer base with a jar screwed to the base. It helps to keep them from stepping in it. I hang it in the brooder as they get older.

View attachment 2154725

Bottom right is the fermented hanging
View attachment 2154730

I am gonna try it

 

[Jimbo white beard]

Gonna try it my chicks are 4weeks old.