FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[LindaB220]

Actually, stirring before feeding is good. If you keep a drier mix, usually the top gets drier and there's a juicy layer further down. Stirring not only helps the consistency, but also gets the top SCOBY mixed back in. That's my two cents. I would never not stir before feeding.

I just stir the top to mix in the scoby. The bottom has a liquid sometimes and I let it go for a couple of days then add more to it. Easy peasy

 

[ReillyJ]

OK i started mine yesterday in a plastic coffee can, been about 24 hrs now, it looks and smells the same i think except of course more goopy, been stirring it every once in awhile...been in the 80's here, when will i see significant changes?

Also something that kind of bums me out, am using Scratch n Peck organic Layer feed and it's fines and seeds/grains..the fines of course now look like pudding but the seeds/grains are still intact...do they dissolve or soften so to speak by day 4? Because the hens will just pick them out of the slop...

i'm thinking maybe i should grind the feed with a coffee grinder (which i've done before) before i ferment...

Since it's been 24 hours, it'll will be Friday until it's fully ready, correct?

Also.. when i start dishing it at day 4 and replacing with food/water--it won't take another 4 days to ferment? (sorry for stupid Q) This is something i will be doing daily now after day 4?

 

[ak rain]

Once you have ferment going as long as you leave some in bucket when you add seed and water it's ready in 12 hours

I use scratch and peck too all is eaten but they do go for seeds first.
I lower amount until dish is clean at next feeding. Little more little less depending on how clean feeder is.

It's that powder that got me looking for a wet feed. Ferments a bonus.

 

[ReillyJ]

Okay... so i started Monday afternoon and yesterday even put a glug of ACV in the mix and i stir at least a couple times a day.

i don't know if i should leave the lid cracked or on and the temps have dropped now to maybe 70 degrees but i don't see any change in the feed--no bubbles or anything--just softened mash.

Yesterday and Monday temps were at least mid 80's... i don't know how i could be doing anything wrong? Just wait until Friday and feed?

 

[ak rain]

I don't use ACV and my lids don't fit bucket. The only purpose of lid is to keep dog out. I live southeast alaska maybe someone else can talk on heat influence
Sometimes I have bubbles sometimes not. Always a texture difference so I think good either way.
Ak rain

 

[LindaB220]

Okay... so i started Monday afternoon and yesterday even put a glug of ACV in the mix and i stir at least a couple times a day.

i don't know if i should leave the lid cracked or on and the temps have dropped now to maybe 70 degrees but i don't see any change in the feed--no bubbles or anything--just softened mash.

Yesterday and Monday temps were at least mid 80's... i don't know how i could be doing anything wrong? Just wait until Friday and feed?

It's ready by day 4. Mine does it in 3 because I'm hot here. 95+. It's not always going to bubble. Mine didn't. Does it smell like pickles or vinegar? Then it's ready.

 

[ReillyJ]

Started mine Monday afternoon, just went to stir it (i do it at least twice a day) and yep, wow VINEGARY smell, hope those silly hens eat it!

i may have to get some Layena Pellets and try fermenting those and see if egg production picks up, too bad as i really looked forward to the organic feed they're on now

 

[subhanalah]

Started mine Monday afternoon, just went to stir it (i do it at least twice a day) and yep, wow VINEGARY smell, hope those silly hens eat it!

i may have to get some Layena Pellets and try fermenting those and see if egg production picks up, too bad as i really looked forward to the organic feed they're on now

what is the protein content of the stuff you're feeding now?

Do you offer them free choice calcium?

 

[ReillyJ]

what is the protein content of the stuff you're feeding now?

Do you offer them free choice calcium?

Yes free choice oyster shell calcium.

The organic layer feed is Scratch n Peck and it's fines and seeds, i moisten them but i don't know if they're consuming all of the fines, it appears they are getting enough? The feed is 16% protein and i supplement every day with meal worms.

I just don't get it...some days they'll lay like champs, other days not (i do get eggs every single day though-have 4 hens) but it seems everything changed when i changed feed and then let them free range (i'm pretty sure they're not laying outside).

I'd hate going back to standard commercial pellets but i may just have to try (i would FF it, though)

 

[subhanalah]

Yes free choice oyster shell calcium.

The organic layer feed is Scratch n Peck and it's fines and seeds, i moisten them but i don't know if they're consuming all of the fines, it appears they are getting enough? The feed is 16% protein and i supplement every day with meal worms.

I just don't get it...some days they'll lay like champs, other days not (i do get eggs every single day though-have 4 hens) but it seems everything changed when i changed feed and then let them free range (i'm pretty sure they're not laying outside). 

I'd hate going back to standard commercial pellets but i may just have to try (i would FF it, though)  

can you get a starter or grower with higher protein? That's what I would do.

What breed are your chickens, they sometimes take days off, only very high production breeds will lay every day with few and far between breaks.