FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[KittieChick]

Yes, I meant when it smells bad. It smell really good right now, but I love sauerkraut and such things. I did read the whole 400+ post 2 nights ago. It would be lovely if I could bookmark the pertinent information.

But I did find my answer on the tiktok blog post, which while long isn't 400+ long!

 

[KittieChick]

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

This is the link to the site that describes how it can smell and will answer a lot of other questions you may have. By all means, don't throw it out until you read up on it....yeast vs. mold, smells, consistencies, results, etc.....all of these things are the usual questions but if you don't see your questions answered there already, feel free to ask here.

Thank you. I actually did answer myself. I think I was just tired and overwhelmed. Right now I have just the 6 meat chickens, and they are in a pen that a determined predator could access very easily. I'm hoping they stay under the radar for the next 4 weeks. Having a time convincing DH that they need better protection. Hate to have a killing to prove my point, but that's a whole other conversation.

They LOVE the FF! Mobbed me today. I figured out to add more feed so that it's like a gruel not a soup. Have been calling around for grains, and get this! NONE of our FEED stores carry grain based feeds! Only scratch and oyster shell, but if I want to feed Purina, they have plenty of that. wow. I had no clue we've become so disconnected from where food comes from....

 

[AKCharle]

When I first started fermenting I used apple cider vinegar in the water (1 Tbs. per gallon) to give my chicks a probiotic boost. My recipe for my FF is just starter crumbles and water to cover. Stir twice a day for 3-4 days, strain and feed. When I first fed them the FF they looked at it like I had fed them poison, but since they were hungry they ate it anyway. Now I'm just slopping the hogs. What oinkers

 

[number9]

Quote from beekissed I had no clue we've become so disconnected from where food comes from....

I don't think it is that as much as people have become lazy and time is presses so it is easier to open a bag of purina.

 

[LindaB220]

When I first started fermenting I used apple cider vinegar in the water (1 Tbs. per gallon) to give my chicks a probiotic boost. My recipe for my FF is just starter crumbles and water to cover. Stir twice a day for 3-4 days, strain and feed. When I first fed them the FF they looked at it like I had fed them poison, but since they were hungry they ate it anyway. Now I'm just slopping the hogs. What oinkers

Bahahaha, they are something aren't they?

 

[chickengirl1193]

So I just incubated 8 eggs from my own flock, one stopped developing in the third week, one pipped the wrong end and gave up, 2 still haven't pipped externally (it's day 21) and four hatched and are running around healthy.
The reason I am posting this on the FF thread is because I'm wondering if problems with the hatch could be nutrition related because the incubator conditions were the same as my last hatch which had better results.
I feed FF every morning (1/2 cup per bird) and they have access to the goats grass pasture and free range when possible so I thought my nutrition was pretty good...
ETA I just had a fecal done and they came up negative, they had tested positive in January for tape worms but after 6 months on FF the worms went away (just thought id share how FF helped my flock )

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Yes, I meant when it smells bad. It smell really good right now, but I love sauerkraut and such things. I did read the whole 400+ post 2 nights ago. It would be lovely if I could bookmark the pertinent information.

But I did find my answer on the tiktok blog post, which while long isn't 400+ long!

I have a notebook next to the keyboard that I write the thread and post number I want to remember.

Thank you. I actually did answer myself. I think I was just tired and overwhelmed. Right now I have just the 6 meat chickens, and they are in a pen that a determined predator could access very easily. I'm hoping they stay under the radar for the next 4 weeks. Having a time convincing DH that they need better protection. Hate to have a killing to prove my point, but that's a whole other conversation.

They LOVE the FF! Mobbed me today. I figured out to add more feed so that it's like a gruel not a soup. Have been calling around for grains, and get this! NONE of our FEED stores carry grain based feeds! Only scratch and oyster shell, but if I want to feed Purina, they have plenty of that. wow. I had no clue we've become so disconnected from where food comes from....

My suggestion is that you start building better predator protection and the hubby will see your efforts and contribute his.

So I just incubated 8 eggs from my own flock, one stopped developing in the third week, one pipped the wrong end and gave up, 2 still haven't pipped externally (it's day 21) and four hatched and are running around healthy.
The reason I am posting this on the FF thread is because I'm wondering if problems with the hatch could be nutrition related because the incubator conditions were the same as my last hatch which had better results.
I feed FF every morning (1/2 cup per bird) and they have access to the goats grass pasture and free range when possible so I thought my nutrition was pretty good...
ETA I just had a fecal done and they came up negative, they had tested positive in January for tape worms but after 6 months on FF the worms went away (just thought id share how FF helped my flock

)

Fertility can very well be nutrition related but all things being equal, I don't think FF would negatively affect that unless they aren't getting enough.
This is a good place to start on troubleshooting.
http://animalscience.ucdavis.edu/Avian/pfs33.htm
Wrong end pipping isn't nutrition related.
3rd week death can be deficiency of riboflavin, magnesium, B12, D, E, K, Biotin, manganese, folic acid or pantothenic acid.
How old is the feed you are fermenting?

 

[chickengirl1193]

I have a notebook next to the keyboard that I write the thread and post number I want to remember.

My suggestion is that you start building better predator protection and the hubby will see your efforts and contribute his.



Fertility can very well be nutrition related but all things being equal, I don't think FF would negatively affect that unless they aren't getting enough.
This is a good place to start on troubleshooting.
http://animalscience.ucdavis.edu/Avian/pfs33.htm
Wrong end pipping isn't nutrition related.
3rd week death can be deficiency of riboflavin, magnesium, B12, D, E, K, Biotin, manganese, folic acid or pantothenic acid.
How old is the feed you are fermenting?

Thank you, ill look at that link. The feed was purchased only a few weeks ago, when the eggs were gathered it was a new bag, but thats trusting that the feed store got it fresh. They special order it for me from their distributor. I just opened a new bag last night.

 

[chickengirl1193]

Oh something else, the first two to hatch had their umbilical cords stuck to them for a bit then they fell off

 

[aatx]

I just wanted to update on my FF experience after finding the mold on the container.

Canister type container does not play well with a drier mix (think peanut butter.) The FF touches the underside of the top when scooping it out and sticks on there like mortar - not possible to reach to scrape down. That area stayed warm and moist and mold grew. When I kept the FF wet, nothing stuck to the lip, but it was more of a pain to strain. FF did not mold, but I got scared I would touch the mold when scooping and put it out in the food.

Have been using a small bucket now since then (I carefully scooped food out from middle and transferred it over.) No mold since then. Haven't bothered with a lid either.

I'm working on my consistency. I think it is *better* to start the new mix out wetter. So, first I add my water to the cup or two left in the bucket and stir well. Then I add in the chick starter and get it to a consistency like when you first add water to instant oatmeal, before it is cooked. I stir this up very well. Normally in 5-10 minutes, the feed has already started to swell, so I stir again. Then, around 12 hours later, I add more dry chick starter and stir in well to get to the drier consistency I want to end up with. Feed 12 hours later. *Better* is just *better to me* and should not mean anything to anyone else. I just feel like I get the ferment better spread with a wetter mix at first and then I don't really worry about how much dry stuff I am adding in to thicken it up as the ratio of already fermented to not fermented is so high. I'm getting a lot better about knowing how much starter to add to get to the consistency I want. I'm making about 3 days worth at a time right now. The bucket is in with the chicks in 80 degree temps in my house and I can't deal with it getting too sour.