FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[chickengirl1193]

Okay I have some flax ill put in because they didnt want it dry. I like things simple also and thats why I didn't start fermenting sooner because I thought it was more complicated than it is. Thanks guys!

 

[kpgoldstar]

I made a little pictorial of my container and process...

Food Safe plastic container you can get at a restaurant supply or smart n final, or free/cheap from the bakery dept of a grocery store.

The end of a batch, about 3 days in. This is simply chick starter feed and water. See how it is wet, but not with a layer of water.

My fine mesh strainer that I shake to get almost all the water out of the feed.

My girl's snack portion of feed they get in the evenings during lawn playtime. Note how dry and grainy the texture is.

Here I have added to the existing ferment, about 1 cup dry feed and 1/2 cup of water.

This is how wet it is after stirring. Most of the water will be absorbed by morning.

I store it just slightly cracked to avoid the glass explosion I experienced a few weeks ago.
I will try to take a pic in the morning of what the feed looks like after it has had overnight to mix with the rest of the ferment and absorb most of the water. Peg, I hope this helps!

I keep mine a little drier now from this earlier post, but it gives you an idea of the process.

 

[chickengirl1193]

I keep mine a little drier now from this earlier post, but it gives you an idea of the process. 

Awesome! I can't wait to start mine thanks!

 

[SavageDestiny]

I've seen a lot of people suggesting using dechlorinated water for the FF. Is a regular water filter on the tap enough? We have a PUR filter on our faucet and love it, but I'm not sure if that is good enough.

 

[Faerie]

I am getting 6 chicks in 10 days and would like to ferment their food. My question is how many days ahead should I start and what amount should I start with for 6 chicks?

 

[Beekissed]

The amount doesn't matter because it will keep for as long as you need it and you can start it two days before they come and it will be ready. For that many chicks I'd do a half gallon and see how it goes.

 

[Faerie]

The amount doesn't matter because it will keep for as long as you need it and you can start it two days before they come and it will be ready. For that many chicks I'd do a half gallon and see how it goes.

Thanks so much! I am so excited, I can't wait to get them!

 

[Beekissed]

Thanks so much! I am so excited, I can't wait to get them!

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

 

[chickengirl1193]

When you feed the fermented feed, do you feed it off the ground in a feeder or in a dish on the ground? And how long do you leave it out for them to eat it? I feed my chickens in their coop and usually they eat a lot before I let them out or after I lock them up and during the day they only go in now and then. So im concerned that if I put the food out that by the time they go back in to eat it, it will be frozen or spoiled depending on weather.

 

[Beekissed]

It won't spoil, so that's no worry. Most feed in a trough and some feed twice a day. I don't...I feed once a day and only what they can clean up in a reasonable amount of time. It seems to be just right because there is none left to freeze in the trough and they are all fat as ticks. I don't mind them putting on a little weight for this cold weather but soon they will be cut down to size when spring hits.

Here's a pic of a few of the troughs I've had....one of a metal rain gutter and one of wood. Am currently using the wooden one and it seems to keep things warmer than the metal did.