FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[ChickenCanoe]

The amino acids are the biggest created nutrients out of fermentation and that seems to be the largest gold nugget of all. Another benefit that people are not focusing on is how the soaking and fermentation decreases anti-nutrients and toxins in the grains that prevent digestion of the nutrients to be found.

http://www.fao.org/docrep/x2184e/x2184e06.htm

Excellent point, as does sprouting of seeds/grains.

I do not want to hijack this thread, but I have some questions. (I've read a great deal of this post, but not all)
I tried ff once before using the 2 bucket method and laying crumbles/pellets along with some scratch grains.
Here are my questions.
I live in Texas where it is HOT in the summer. Usually 3 digits and lots of humidity. I do not have an indoor place to ferment these feeds, and barely any shade to keep the buckets in. Will this affect the quality of my ff? Especially if it is in direct sun some?
Also, with the layer crumbles/pellets, they disintigrate and become sludge that I cannot really get out without taking out the water. Suggestions? Or is this normal, and if so, what do people do to be able to use this sludge? (My chickens will not really eat scratch grains. Only if that is all there is, and it's been sitting in their bowls for a long while)

Thanks so much, and I appologize if this isn't the correct place to post this!
Jennifer in Tx

The sludge is normal and IMO one of the benefits. With dry feed, one ends up with a lot of fines the chickens don't eat. Thinking about the manufacturing process where grain is ground, essential nutrients and binders added then mixed, those fines contain many of the added trace minerals and vitamins to create a balanced feed. By the fines being suspended in the 'sludge', the chickens will eat most of it.

There must be a place in the shade next to the house or create an area covered with shade cloth.

 

[Audio51]

Quote:
I keep mine in the house. I bought a small rubber mat and put my bucket on that to ferment. When I am ready to feed I bring it to the kitchen, set the bucket in the sink and stir. The I scoop out the days ration into my mesh strainer and let the excess liquid drain out if needed (not usually needed since I keep it on the dry side). I carry the feed out and give it to them, then come back inside and loosely cover the bucket, then return it to the rubber mat. If I need to add more to the bucket I keep the feed in the garage and just fill my 10 cup plastic "storage scooper". The bucket sits to the side of a cabinet near the kitchen. I have 2 large dogs indoors and they have not bothered it, even though the lid is not in tight. We get a lot of triple digits here in Northern CA in the summer too, but it is much drier than you have there in Texas.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I've been using 2, 5 gallon buckets (one to ferment and one to feed from) plus an 8 quart stainless pot for chicks. I've outgrown both systems. The chicks (on FF) are 7 weeks and going through the pot in 3 days. The flocks are going through a 5 gal. bucket in 2 days - or will easily do so when the temperature stays above freezing.

Current plan is for 3 5 gallon buckets for adults and one for chicks. That may not be enough when I switch all 33 chicks to FF. That will give me over 60 grown/growing birds.

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

The amino acids are the biggest created nutrients out of fermentation and that seems to be the largest gold nugget of all. Another benefit that people are not focusing on is how the soaking and fermentation decreases anti-nutrients and toxins in the grains that prevent digestion of the nutrients to be found.

http://www.fao.org/docrep/x2184e/x2184e06.htm

Yes ... the studies I've seen talked about that, and it is a BIG DEAL when feeding vegetable proteins to omnivores.

And the hormone imbalances of legumes ... The Feeding Poultry book warns against relying solely on soy protein for breeding stock because of the hormone issues that result. That said, I know that traditionally fermented soy is not as worrisome when it comes to hormones ... so I'm eager to find a study that quantifies that for fermenting soy-based poultry feeds.

 

[skitzkle]

I use a trash can and a boat paddle to stir it! Especially when it is cold and it can take a while to ferment. I mix layer feed and scratch grains. I keep it mashed potato consistency and just scoop the slop out daily and fill their feeding trough every morning.

 

[roostereggs]

I was wondering if I should still feed dry once every few weeks so they are used to it in case we go out of town for the weekend?

 

[Beekissed]

I was wondering if I should still feed dry once every few weeks so they are used to it in case we go out of town for the weekend?

They won't have to transition, just keep plenty of fresh water so they can wash it down. I've switched mine over in a pinch and they had no problems.

 

[chickengirl1193]

Ive switched completely to ff and I bring it out every morning and 2 of my girls gobble up as much as they want and.the other two only eat a bit and then proceed to the deep litter in the goat shed. Is there something I can do to get alll my girls to eat it? Its fermenting well and is a good consistency... I dont think they are losing weight, I weighed thrm about a month ago,before the ff, and im going to weigh them soon to compare. But im still getting an egg a day from each chicken and they are acting normal, no red flags

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I'm thinking what you describe is pecking order. The higher ranked birds eat first.

 

[chickengirl1193]

So maybe they come back in when the other girls leave and I just dont notice? Ive seen all 4 eat at once tho with no problems, and thats why I only offer one feeding through.