FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[LeslieDJoyce]

Finally got it done. Did I miss anything?

http://tikktok.wordpress.com/2014/04/13/fermented-feed-faq/

Bless you! I hope ot helps. But of course you'll have to stalk this thread 24/7 so you can post the link on demand.

Now ... I've done it myself a time or two ... But here at BYC I'm always a bit ... confused ... when people say they don't want to skim through the threads for info so want other people to do a whole bunch of re-writing/typing for them. To me it's a little like smelling the neighbors' dinner, calling them to ask what they're eating, then saying "I don't feel like going to the store and cooking, so can you whip up another batch for me and drop it by? The table is already set, so make it snappy."

Of course there are reasons people do that here ... having to page through long threads a few posts at a time as BYC requires is tedious. It can take a while for pages to load, especially if there are photos in the posts. And sometimes the quoting gets messy so it can be confusing. It would be hugely helpful if the OP was allowed to go back to the first post of a thread and make edits, either adding important info to that first post, or installing links or something. I really wish BYC would allow that function on these "Informational" threads. That way, new readers could know if they started threads with Post #1 they'd get the executive summary ... and then could read through the thread for more details if they want ...

 

[Tikkijane]

Thanks again for the info.

I confess to laziness on my part- yesterday I answered the same gazillion questions like 6 times, lol. So now I can just paste.....

 

[Beekissed]

Bless you! I hope ot helps. But of course you'll have to stalk this thread 24/7 so you can post the link on demand.

Now ... I've done it myself a time or two ... But here at BYC I'm always a bit ... confused ... when people say they don't want to skim through the threads for info so want other people to do a whole bunch of re-writing/typing for them. To me it's a little like smelling the neighbors' dinner, calling them to ask what they're eating, then saying "I don't feel like going to the store and cooking, so can you whip up another batch for me and drop it by? The table is already set, so make it snappy."

Of course there are reasons people do that here ... having to page through long threads a few posts at a time as BYC requires is tedious. It can take a while for pages to load, especially if there are photos in the posts. And sometimes the quoting gets messy so it can be confusing. It would be hugely helpful if the OP was allowed to go back to the first post of a thread and make edits, either adding important info to that first post, or installing links or something. I really wish BYC would allow that function on these "Informational" threads. That way, new readers could know if they started threads with Post #1 they'd get the executive summary ... and then could read through the thread for more details if they want ...

EXACTLY!!!! When I joined BYC I was still raising my children as a single parent, working full time and on call all the time, dealing with family dramas, and homesteading a small place with animal, garden, house and vehicle chores.....and I still found time to read for my information(not tooting my horn or anything but trying to explain that even folks who have very little time in their lives can make time if the thing is of value to them....just turn off the TV for a bit and settle down for a good read instead).

If you want it badly enough you'll take the time to read it, if not, it's not too valuable to you.

That may seem like a hard line to take but it's exactly as you describe...it's like expecting someone else to do all the work for you simply because you want it and they seem to have more time than you, apparently, so it's okay to impose on more of their time and efforts.

Some days I can be gracious about it and it doesn't bother me to repeat it over and over....and some days it just hits me wrong that someone feels that entitled to the hard won information without working for it in the least little bit. Google is our friend and quite often if you just Google the information the appropriate post will be in the options that have been searched.

Please forgive me for my impatience with that kind of attitude but it's just being honest...it does get to me at times. Now that I have more time on my hands I don't mind donating it to help others on here, but sometimes a certain way a person asks for the information~usually prefaced by their statement that they don't want to do any reading for it but would love for you to type many words for them all the same~kind of ruffles my feathers.

 

[jbher]

Finally got it done. Did I miss anything?

http://tikktok.wordpress.com/2014/04/13/fermented-feed-faq/

Wow thank you!!!! That is fabulous!!! You should add it as a link in your siggy.

 

[jbher]

You can make a smaller batch to start it for a few weeks. I make mine in a 2 gallon bucket. Will switch to 5 gallon soon though because it will last for weeks. if you continue to stir. Start it 5 days in advance.

I went to walmart this morning and found a glass ONE gallon jar with a screw on lid. I bought it and now I'm thinking I probably shouldn't have. It sure seems small. Ugh. I think a 2 gallon, like you said, is the way to go. So now I'll be on the hunt for that size. Is yours just a plastic type bucket with a handle?

 

[kpgoldstar]

I went to walmart this morning and found a glass ONE gallon jar with a screw on lid. I bought it and now I'm thinking I probably shouldn't have. It sure seems small. Ugh. I think a 2 gallon, like you said, is the way to go. So now I'll be on the hunt for that size. Is yours just a plastic type bucket with a handle?

I use an 8 quart plastic food grade bucket like the kind you keep pasta or flour in. I started with a glass jar with screw on lid and mine exploded overnight in my kitchen. Plastic buckets can be found for free or cheap in the bakery dept of grocery stores.

 

[kpgoldstar]

Read it. Liked it. One more question though. May have missed it, because I'm awake at 3 in the morning, coughing my head off. Do you just take out what you need and then add that much back plus more water or do you have more than one container fermenting at a time at different stages?

Yes and no. Yes, you take out what you need. Some folks refresh as they go- I do not because I want a stronger ferment.

When I get down to about a single serving left, I backslop- add water, stir, add feed, stir, let it sit overnight and it's ready to feed in the morning.

I do like Jane and answered this from your initial question on point #4 about any other logistics you should know about.

 

[n3kms]

EXACTLY!!!! When I joined BYC I was still raising my children as a single parent, working full time and on call all the time, dealing with family dramas, and homesteading a small place with animal, garden, house and vehicle chores.....and I still found time to read for my information(not tooting my horn or anything but trying to explain that even folks who have very little time in their lives can make time if the thing is of value to them....just turn off the TV for a bit and settle down for a good read instead).

If you want it badly enough you'll take the time to read it, if not, it's not too valuable to you.

That may seem like a hard line to take but it's exactly as you describe...it's like expecting someone else to do all the work for you simply because you want it and they seem to have more time than you, apparently, so it's okay to impose on more of their time and efforts.

Some days I can be gracious about it and it doesn't bother me to repeat it over and over....and some days it just hits me wrong that someone feels that entitled to the hard won information without working for it in the least little bit. Google is our friend and quite often if you just Google the information the appropriate post will be in the options that have been searched.

Please forgive me for my impatience with that kind of attitude but it's just being honest...it does get to me at times. Now that I have more time on my hands I don't mind donating it to help others on here, but sometimes a certain way a person asks for the information~usually prefaced by their statement that they don't want to do any reading for it but would love for you to type many words for them all the same~kind of ruffles my feathers.

I have read and read and read. I often see people asking the same things one after the other and wonder why they don't just read. My husband wonders what I could possibilty be looking at about chickens all the time. But I was coming down to the line on the chicks coming when I discovered through "reading" about the fermented food. I had not heard of it before. I tried to find the info that I lacked but it would have taken me a very long time to read it all and then I may not have found what I lacked. I thought that the purpose of the forum was because folks liked to share info. I appreciate what I have learned from those who have raised chickens. I'm sorry if it's a lot of trouble for you.

 

[clankeyes]

Question.... I have put a lid on my FF.. I see some people don't.. is this personal preference ?

 

[ak rain]

A loose lid to allow air keeps dog out
Ak rain