FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[jenjan8998]

Alright, I made FF, all my chickens LOVED it. About 2 weeks later, I go to feed them, and there is mold on top of the food. I was making enough to last a week at a time. Was that too much? Should I start over completely and make smaller batches?

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

I am noticing how many mold questions this thread is getting now that it is warmer in the northern part of the world.

 

[Beekissed]

Alright, I made FF, all my chickens LOVED it. About 2 weeks later, I go to feed them, and there is mold on top of the food. I was making enough to last a week at a time. Was that too much? Should I start over completely and make smaller batches?

You need to peruse this site for the part about mold vs. yeast. You will see an increase in yeast production on top of your feed as the temps climb but it's not mold, so stir it right back into the feed each day and feed it out. It's safe and we've been doing it now for nigh on 3 years without any issues. Here's the link to the most FAQ on FF...I'd bookmark it because you will need it again, I'm thinking.....

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

I am noticing how many mold questions this thread is getting now that it is warmer in the northern part of the world.

Yep...every year at this time those questions pop up.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

..., so stir it right back into the feed each day and feed it out. It's safe and we've been doing it now for nigh on 3 years without any issues....

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


Yep...every year at this time those questions pop up.

That's what I keep doing. Fingers crossed.
I appreciate you turning me on to FF.

It's interesting how the same questions come up at different times of year. Things like "my hens quit laying" in late fall - especially when it is the person's second year with chickens and they can't figure it out since they laid great the year before.
Or mid/late winter after chickens are cooped up without adequate ventilation and they start getting respiratory issues.

 

[Beekissed]

Always. You'd think they would have a sticky at the top of each section by now, detailing why you suddenly have an "egg eater", respiratory issues, laying decrease, losing feathers, decrease/increase in food consumption, increased predation, broodies or not having any broodies, increased smell in the coop, increased dampness in the run, increased algae growth in the water, etc. All these seasonal things spark more threads each year.....I guess that's why BYC doesn't just have stickies for them, as more hits equals more money.

 

[LindaB220]

HI Bee
have read the whole lot ,it was time to try it.
MON got my three POL hens gave them pellets...all gone
TUE gave them half ff and half pellets...all gone ..tea time just gave them ff...all gone
WED gave them 3/4 ff and 1/4 pellets...ff all gone...pellets still there..saids it all really.

thank you .xx

Good to have you. That just about says it all. I only put out FF and it's gone. Sometimes I put out leftovers for their supper instead of FF and the next day they are waiting for the leftovers again.

So I can only do it occasionally. Spoiled!!!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Always. You'd think they would have a sticky at the top of each section by now, detailing why you suddenly have an "egg eater", respiratory issues, laying decrease, losing feathers, decrease/increase in food consumption, increased predation, broodies or not having any broodies, increased smell in the coop, increased dampness in the run, increased algae growth in the water, etc. All these seasonal things spark more threads each year.....I guess that's why BYC doesn't just have stickies for them, as more hits equals more money.

So true, you're onto something. But then it would be all about straight to the information rather than a social forum. Don't get me wrong, I think it is a wonderful site and they do a great job but it's amazing how many 1st post introductions have a question that's been answered a hundred times.

Good to have you. That just about says it all. I only put out FF and it's gone. Sometimes I put out leftovers for their supper instead of FF and the next day they are waiting for the leftovers again.

So I can only do it occasionally. Spoiled!!!

As foragers, scavengers and omnivores you can see why their eating habits are what they are.

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

So true, you're onto something. But then it would be all about straight to the information rather than a social forum. Don't get me wrong, I think it is a wonderful site and they do a great job but it's amazing how many 1st post introductions have a question that's been answered a hundred times.



As foragers, scavengers and omnivores you can see why their eating habits are what they are.

I put the treats in their FF to keep them guessing.

 

[subhanalah]

I put the treats in their FF to keep them guessing.

you're a sneaky squirrel!

 

[MelTX]

So, about the heat, can you leave it outside and still get a good ferment and not ruin it? It's getting frakking HOT down here in SETX ( like upper 80's alreay and soon to be 90s all day) and I'd like to try to ferment some later in the summer when i have to switch to TX Natural layer crumbles (bc H&H is fab but I can't drive 2 hours to get it every few months) and my hens don't seem to like Tx Natural.

Also I am getting a grandpa's treadle feeder soon and I am wondering, if I put a layer of sticky plastic in the feed bin of the feeder, would that protect it if I use fermented feed? I don't want to damage the galvanized feeder. I also don't want to have to build another feeder because I've gone through 3 feeder building teaks in the last month or so.