FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[Ms Jellybean]

I'm getting my first chicks very soon. I've been reading. And reading. And reading....until my brain hurts!

I am going to ferment the food and use the deep litter method in my coop. I have recently started reading about using food grade DE in the dust bath, but then saw that it isn't recommended by some anymore. I've read people feed it too. I have not read this whole thread, but I did read the last couple of pages here and after reading them I can say I will not be buying any DE. Glad I popped in here. I read the beginning of this thread months ago and am having a refresher on how to ferment feed.

I do have a question. I'm pretty sure I know the answer is yes, but just want to double check....You can ferment any kind of feed, right? Crumbles or pellets included?

 

[Beekissed]

Yes, you can!

Some brands make for stickier FF and some kinds make for a fishy smell in the feed.

 

[Ms Jellybean]

Yes, you can!

Some brands make for stickier FF and some kinds make for a fishy smell in the feed.

Thanks Bee I still have all the info you gave me months ago on FF in my inbox to refer to as well.

I need to figure out what feed to buy. I've discovered some feeds have DE in them..... I want non-gmo stuff. I don't want to eat gmo stuff so I don't want to feed it to my chickens.

 

[Tikkijane]

Thanks Bee  I still have all the info you gave me months ago on FF in my inbox to refer to as well.   

I need to figure out what feed to buy.  I've discovered some feeds have DE in them.....  I want non-gmo stuff.  I don't want to eat gmo stuff so I don't want to feed it to my chickens. 

What brands have DE in them? I don't think DE is GMO because it's not grown......

 

[Tikkijane]

I'm getting my first chicks very soon.  I've been reading. And reading. And reading....until my brain hurts!

I am going to ferment the food and use the deep litter method in my coop.  I have recently started reading about using food grade DE in the dust bath, but then saw that it isn't recommended by some anymore.  I've read people feed it too.  I have not read this whole thread, but I did read the last couple of pages here and after reading them I can say I will not be buying any DE.  Glad I popped in here.  I read the beginning of this thread months ago and am having a refresher on how to ferment feed.  

I do have a question. I'm pretty sure I know the answer is yes, but just want to double check....You can ferment any kind of feed, right?  Crumbles or pellets included?  

I'm finding I'm getting considerably better mileage out of crumble. Not only is there more volume in the bag compared to pellet, but it seems to expand more. I'm still observing so I'll know for sure....

 

[Ms Jellybean]

What brands have DE in them? I don't think DE is GMO because it's not grown......

I was planning on feeding Texas Naturals brand. It's all non-gmo, but not organic, and it has DE in every type they sell. I was surprised to read that. I am now looking at Coyote Creek Farms feed. It's organic but I can't find the ingredients on-line. IDK, since I am new to all of this I am still unsure what is best.

I really can't afford to feed a very expensive food though, but I do want good quality and will pay a bit more for it. I've learned better food going in makes for a healthier animal and ends up costing less in the long run since you don't have a lot of vet bills.

I'm finding I'm getting considerably better mileage out of crumble. Not only is there more volume in the bag compared to pellet, but it seems to expand more. I'm still observing so I'll know for sure....

I think crumbles looks more natural to eat. I've never liked the look of pellet food. lol! It's a me thing.

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

What brands have DE in them? I don't think DE is GMO because it's not grown......

There aren't that many GMO crops at all ... not in the modern usage. Corn, soy, canola & alfalfa are the big ones for animal feeds ... sugar beets ... I guess some people feed animals beet pulp.

There are great websites that explain what things are GMO.

I've been researching non-GMO and Certified Organic feeds lately, and I've been seeing DE on the ingredients lists.

 

[Ms Jellybean]

There aren't that many GMO crops at all ... not in the modern usage. Corn, soy, canola & alfalfa are the big ones for animal feeds ... sugar beets ... I guess some people feed animals beet pulp.

There are great websites that explain what things are GMO.

I've been researching non-GMO and Certified Organic feeds lately, and I've been seeing DE on the ingredients lists.

That is interesting (about the DE). I won't eat canola either and really limit my soy intake if I can help it. I am allergic to dairy so sometimes I don't have a choice.

I'd like to feed Scratch and Peck feeds, but they are too expensive, especially when you factor in shipping. Maybe I should start a blog and get them to sponsor me so they will ship me discounted product.

I do have have another question. My chicks are more than likely (not by choice) coming in at staggered times. I may be starting out with just one or two chicks for about a week or two. How much feed would I need to ferment for them? And how long does a batch last? I plan on having several (2-3) jars going so one is always ready to use.

I will eventually have 9 chicks, 3 of which will be silkies. How much food is a good starting point (cup wise) to start fermenting for that many? I am totally clueless as to how much a chick can eat. If they are like my cats they will eat 24/7, or at least that is what it seems like.

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

I'm finding I'm getting considerably better mileage out of crumble. Not only is there more volume in the bag compared to pellet, but it seems to expand more. I'm still observing so I'll know for sure....

The bags are usually sold by weight, not volume ... crumbles used to be pellets, before they were crumbled.

Pellets used to be mash, before they were compressed.

Pellets/crumbles are more processed ... I've read some old stuff that says there are fewer nutrients in pelleted foods because of the extra heat treatments. But I'm not sure if modern processing now eliminates that nutrient shift

The reason we pellet food is so all the ingriedients are mixed well in every bite of food ... mash can settle, or have some parts ignored ... and the powdery supplements get lost. And there is generally less waste with pellets. And very dry powdery foods are not always good for the bird's mouths and noses.

But if you're fermenting food ... serving moistened mash ... then the ingriedients stay more evenly distributed.

Most national commercial feeds don't come in mash ... not in smaller quantities. But some local mills offer it.

 

[Ariel188]

That is interesting (about the DE). I won't eat canola either and really limit my soy intake if I can help it. I am allergic to dairy so sometimes I don't have a choice.

I'd like to feed Scratch and Peck feeds, but they are too expensive, especially when you factor in shipping. Maybe I should start a blog and get them to sponsor me so they will ship me discounted product.

I do have have another question. My chicks are more than likely (not by choice) coming in at staggered times. I may be starting out with just one or two chicks for about a week or two. How much feed would I need to ferment for them? And how long does a batch last? I plan on having several (2-3) jars going so one is always ready to use.

I will eventually have 9 chicks, 3 of which will be silkies. How much food is a good starting point (cup wise) to start fermenting for that many? I am totally clueless as to how much a chick can eat. If they are like my cats they will eat 24/7, or at least that is what it seems like.

You can get Scratch and peck feeds for free shipping though www.azurestandard.com. They are like a co-op and you place your order once a month. 40# bag is $27! No shipping or tax.