FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[Beekissed]

Wait until you see what healthy birds they become....you'll love it even more! Really helps the coop smells in the summer too...I can't smell a thing in there in the hottest part of the summer.

 

[MandalaMaMa]

Wait until you see what healthy birds they become....you'll love it even more!   Really helps the coop smells in the summer too...I can't smell a thing in there in the hottest part of the summer. 

They are already so much more active. I like to think its the FF.
My little buff didn't make it today. I thought she was doing better but took a turn for the worst today. Bummer.

 

[Beekissed]

Oh, crumbs... I'm sorry about that.

 

[lazy gardener]

I understand what you're saying BK, however, I have one girl that would be dead if I only fed them what could be eaten in a few minutes. And I understand the theory about birds that aren't smart enough or aggressive enough to fend for themselves in the flock perhaps should be culled, but for me as a small flockster who's chickens are pets, I'll go the extra mile to give warm feed, and see to it that there's a little left over for the least girl in the flock. It won't be such an issue when they are able to range. My whole flock suffered with a molt in the middle of the winter cold and being fed dry feed, that on top of a bag of feed that they refused to eat, no matter what I did to that feed. You'd ought to see the stress marks in some of their feathers.

 

[Beekissed]

I understand what you're saying BK, however, I have one girl that would be dead if I only fed them what could be eaten in a few minutes. And I understand the theory about birds that aren't smart enough or aggressive enough to fend for themselves in the flock perhaps should be culled, but for me as a small flockster who's chickens are pets, I'll go the extra mile to give warm feed, and see to it that there's a little left over for the least girl in the flock. It won't be such an issue when they are able to range. My whole flock suffered with a molt in the middle of the winter cold and being fed dry feed, that on top of a bag of feed that they refused to eat, no matter what I did to that feed. You'd ought to see the stress marks in some of their feathers.

A lot of pecking order issues surrounding feeding can be resolved by providing a longer trough style feeder where the birds can space out on either side of the trough. In that manner, lesser birds can tuck in here and there and eat and the more dominant hens cannot control the whole feeder.

Everyone finds their own way with their birds so whatever works for you will be the best choice.

 

[roostereggs]

My feed finally fermented!!!

It took an entire week to happen, and I was about to give up but FINALLY got bubbles and explosion to the top of the bucket.

A week ago I started out with a 5 gallon bucket, filled it 1/3 with feed and covered with water and maybe 3/4 c. Bragg's ACV. And waited. And waited. Then put in a cup of yogurt with live cultures because I forgot to get buttermilk at the store. And then I waited. And waited. And waited some more.

Finally I bought buttermilk today and went to pour it in this afternoon but didn't need it! I found this lovely huge bucket full of FF that my 8 chickens went crazy for! Some were trying to get their heads into the bucket.

Now I need another bucket so I can start my babies on it!

 

[Beekissed]

That's great news! Do you use chlorinated tap water? Some have gotten slower ferment because of that so maybe that could have slowed yours down?

 

[roostereggs]

That's great news! Do you use chlorinated tap water? Some have gotten slower ferment because of that so maybe that could have slowed yours down?

Probably! We have a water softener for the house, but I use the bibs at the other end of the property for the chickens...so I don't think the water is treated out there.

 

[MandalaMaMa]

 My feed finally fermented!!!

It took an entire week to happen, and I was about to give up but FINALLY got bubbles and explosion to the top of the bucket.

A week ago I started out with a 5 gallon bucket, filled it 1/3 with feed and covered with water and maybe 3/4 c. Bragg's ACV. And waited. And waited. Then put in a cup of yogurt with live cultures because I forgot to get buttermilk at the store. And then I waited. And waited. And waited some more.

Finally I bought buttermilk today and went to pour it in this afternoon but didn't need it! I found this lovely huge bucket full of FF that my 8 chickens went crazy for! Some were trying to get their heads into the bucket.

Now I need another bucket so I can start my babies on it! :yiipchick

So happy for you and good job on not giving up. It took me awhile too before getting a good mix. So rewarding in the end to have it.

 

[gjensen]

I understand what you're saying BK, however, I have one girl that would be dead if I only fed them what could be eaten in a few minutes. And I understand the theory about birds that aren't smart enough or aggressive enough to fend for themselves in the flock perhaps should be culled, but for me as a small flockster who's chickens are pets, I'll go the extra mile to give warm feed, and see to it that there's a little left over for the least girl in the flock. It won't be such an issue when they are able to range. My whole flock suffered with a molt in the middle of the winter cold and being fed dry feed, that on top of a bag of feed that they refused to eat, no matter what I did to that feed. You'd ought to see the stress marks in some of their feathers.

If you culled according to pecking order, you would only have one bird. There is always one at the bottom.

Like Bee said, a longer trough. Also more than one. I am going to try the FF, and have been thinking about some of this. I was thinking in terms of multiple troughs spaced a bit apart. That would give the bottom bird ample opportunity to eat.