FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[LindaB220]

If I ever decide I need lids on my buckets of ff, I'm going to try these ...

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=24071&catid=685

They are strainers ... I wouldn't use them as strainers, I'd use them as lids. Keep pests out, let air circulate.

That's a nifty idea. Have to keep out of the coop because they'd be standing on it.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I use this method with Scratch and Peck feed, which is a whole-grain based feed. The reason I started this is because Scratch and Peck feed has a lot of "powder" which is all of the added nutrients and supplements. Since they aren't grinding it all together and extruding it into pellets, the powdery part of the feed doesn't stick really well to the grain part of the feed and gets left behind in large part. Fermenting the feed makes it all stick together.

The reason I'm mentioning this here is because this whole-grain type food doesn't clump together to form a paste, nor does it get crumbly. It stays moist and separate. I do find it's easier to give it to them while it's more dry. If I get more water than usual in the feed then it's runny and the chickens don't like it so much. I do just feed it to them on the ground because they seem to like it better that way. They leave it behind in the bowl more easily but will eat all of it if it's on the ground. Plus, if it does happen to get too wet then being on the ground allows some of the extra water to drain away.

The feed I use is similar, barely ground grains, a little alfalfa and lots of fines. It works perfectly as FF and I don't like fermenting anything else.

What do your feeders look like to feed 40-50 chickens with fermented feed?

By bees suggestion, I'm using sections of plastic gutter. 2 pieces of gutter cut into various lengths take care of 6 flocks.

Getting beefy.

For those of you who keep ff outside/ in coop, do you put something over the top to keep flys, gnats out?

I use 5 gallon pickle buckets and just let the lid sit on top loosely.

 

[beverly evans]

Quote: Hi, I got used to adding alfalfa in the winter when there's no greenery for them to eat and have just continued it. 2%? I put in at least 1/2 cup in each 1/'3rd of a 5 gallon bucket I mix up. Is this bad? I have darker poop because of the alfalfa. That is the only difference I notice. Am I doing them some harm? : (

 

[ShockValue]

Hi all. Interesting topic. I'm new to chickens, and our birds are about 3 months old now. 6 LF breeds.

Right now they are free ranging 10-14 hours a day on a fairly untamed acre. Lots of grass and weeds and bugs etc to nibble on.
I have a feeder in the coop with grower crumbles. They eat it, but since they're outside most of the day, it lasts a very long time.

Anyway. My question is, if I started feeding fermented, would they eat less "free range" stuff since they would fill on the fermented feed?
Is the free range stuff healthier, as healthy, or less-so than fermented?

I'm happy to save the money by letting them eat weeds and bugs. But I would be OK with fermenting their feed too if it meant healthier chickens.


Their lot in life:

 

[LindaB220]

Beekissed does that. She lets her birds roam all day and around 4-5 pm she feeds one good meal to last them the night. Mine can't roam so I feed at 9am and 4 pm. They so love it.

 

[LindaB220]

Hi, I got used to adding alfalfa in the winter when there's no greenery for them to eat and have just continued it. 2%? I put in at least 1/2 cup in each 1/'3rd of a 5 gallon bucket I mix up. Is this bad? I have darker poop because of the alfalfa. That is the only difference I notice. Am I doing them some harm? : (

That's actually a good portion for them.

 

[subhanalah]

Hi all. Interesting topic. I'm new to chickens, and our birds are about 3 months old now. 6 LF breeds. Right now they are free ranging 10-14 hours a day on a fairly untamed acre. Lots of grass and weeds and bugs etc to nibble on. I have a feeder in the coop with grower crumbles. They eat it, but since they're outside most of the day, it lasts a very long time. Anyway. My question is, if I started feeding fermented, would they eat less "free range" stuff since they would fill on the fermented feed? Is the free range stuff healthier, as healthy, or less-so than fermented? I'm happy to save the money by letting them eat weeds and bugs. But I would be OK with fermenting their feed too if it meant healthier chickens. Their lot in life:

mine are out on my yard all day. I ferment feed for the cost and health benefits.

 

[Tikkijane]

I'm so glad you are loving it!  You love it even more as time goes along...when you walk into your coop and there are no smells, you will love it.  When there are no flies, you will love it.  When the birds recover from molt in just days, you will love it. 


I love it too! 

No flies?! I haven't seen that at all. :/

I'm finding on the longer ferment time, the smell is pungent enough to make my eyes water- more alcoholy vs yeasty. Yeeks. With the higher temps, they are not eating as much, either, so I can definitely cut back.

 

[Tikkijane]

What do your feeders look like to feed 40-50 chickens with fermented feed?

 

[Tikkijane]

Beekissed does that.  She lets her birds roam all day and around 4-5 pm she feeds one good meal to last them the night.    Mine can't roam so I feed at 9am and 4 pm.   They so love it.  

Me too. Mine free range completely unless it's bedtime. I feed twice a day.

Forage is best, imo. I wouldn't free-range without feeding anyhow. FF replaces the dry food. Because it's a nutritionally dense super-food, they need less of it.