FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[AuntNomi]

I started my first batch of FF on Saturday, and started feeding it to the chickens today. The first minute or so they were curious trying to check it out. But as soon as one started eating they all did. They seem to love it and finished it up very fast so I gave them some more. Its funny because they have to swipe their beaks often to clean it. I didn't give any to my baby chick flock yet because they still had plenty of feed in their feeder. But so far a great success. I am so glad I found this thread. My nephew and his wife also have chickens so I told them about it too. They said oh yeah we do that in the winter so they don't stop laying but we start back dry feed in the spring. So I told them about everything I read and they may try it all the time.

I put an equal amount of feed and equal amount of water in a clean 5 gallon bucket and let it sit. Stirring only once or twice a day, and of course stirred just before dipping it out. I didn't use any of the buckets with holes or doubling up. Just the one bucket, feed, and water.

Can't wait til afew weeks go by and hopefully I will be seeing the effects of feeding them FF. Thanks to everyone's help along the way, helping me and many others understand how and why to feed FF.

 

[leliadax]

I have 12 mature chickens, 4 roosters and 8 hens. I started fermenting feed back in september and my birds love it too. I gave it to them about twice a week but have started the past couple of weeks giving it to them every day. I use glass gallon jars and try to mix something different in each jar. Usually about 2 1/2 to 3 cups dry then cover with water and a splash of buttermilk. When I drain it I mix it with layer crumbles so it is loose and in little clusters. Heres my jars:

Tomorrows feed-Oat groats,wheat,lentils & split peas,whole corn and a bit of whats called longnecker mix.

Fridays feed-oats,wheat,lentils & peas and whole corn.

Saturdays feed-Longnecker only because they will get greens & bananas too on saturday

Heres the fermented mixed with layer crumbles.

 

[leliadax]

Feeding this stuff is great. They have solid poop and it really does not stink and is easy to clean up because its kinda like solid cat poo. They have slick shiny feathers and their eggs are fantastic.

 

[minpins99]

I take it you have several gallon jars! LOL! Did you have to buy the jars or eat a mess of pickles? Where do you get longnecker? At first, my hens gobbled it down but now, they aren't as interested. I filled their feeder with layer crumbles and they attacked it. I'd like to try your method, too. I'm literally so financially strapped, buying jars would constitute a hardship. One more question: Because the lentils are being soaked during the fermentation process is any other steps that need to be taken in order to be edible?

 

[21hens-incharge]

Quote:
Completely correct. It is just where the feed does the magic fermentation. I feed in bowls that are designed for dogs but the hens do not mind.

 

[minpins99]

Well, that's what I thought but you know what happens when one assumes! That's why I have such a great "flock" to learn from. My 4 Ameracaunas are really growing. It seemed they wouldn't be as big as the other hens, but wow! Such beautiful and smart birds.

 

[leliadax]

I take it you have several gallon jars!  LOL!  Did you have to buy the jars or eat a mess of pickles?  Where do you get longnecker?  At first, my hens gobbled it down but now, they aren't as interested.  I filled their feeder with layer crumbles and they attacked it.  I'd like to try your method, too.  I'm literally so financially strapped, buying jars would constitute a hardship.  One more question:  Because the lentils are being soaked during the fermentation process is any other steps that need to be taken in order to be edible?

I got my pickle jars from the school...consession stand and cafeteria...if you ask they should give them to you. I get longnecker mix at a local feed store. Its just the black oil s.seeds/corn/wheat/milo/and some kind of dark pellet. I pan feed my birds and the hens get it just fine. As far as the lentils I just dump in about 1/4 of a cup in the jar straight from the bag, I had bought a gamebird feed that had lentils in the mix so when I started mixing my own I just bought them at the store. After e-4 days they get soft but stay firm like the peas and corn but it all gets soft enough to mash with a fork...it would be chunky but it does mash up.

 

[leliadax]

I have also used plastic gallon tea pitchers from the dollar store just about anything works as long as its for food I think.

 

[Stehiiboo]

I'm not going to lie I didn't search through the 210 pages of posts first.

Fish meal.

What happens when you ferment a feed with fish meal? I have heard it will get stinky but that's about it. Is it still safe to eat?

I just bought a 50lbs bag of feed and didn't realize it has fish meal.

 

[lazy gardener]

I take it you have several gallon jars! LOL! Did you have to buy the jars or eat a mess of pickles? Where do you get longnecker? At first, my hens gobbled it down but now, they aren't as interested. I filled their feeder with layer crumbles and they attacked it. I'd like to try your method, too. I'm literally so financially strapped, buying jars would constitute a hardship. One more question: Because the lentils are being soaked during the fermentation process is any other steps that need to be taken in order to be edible?

If you're no longer fermenting, you can sprout those lentils. They're great on salads, plus they have a nutritional advantage to feed them to the birds sprouted instead of not sprouted. Lentil sprouts are also great in a stir fry.

Completely correct. It is just where the feed does the magic fermentation. I feed in bowls that are designed for dogs but the hens do not mind.

I use dog bowls also, buy them from the $ store. They last about a year before the girls break them, then I just replace them. One of these days, I'll make them a trough. Occasionally, I think my roo is barking.

I take it you have several gallon jars! LOL! Did you have to buy the jars or eat a mess of pickles? Where do you get longnecker? At first, my hens gobbled it down but now, they aren't as interested. I filled their feeder with layer crumbles and they attacked it. I'd like to try your method, too. I'm literally so financially strapped, buying jars would constitute a hardship. One more question: Because the lentils are being soaked during the fermentation process is any other steps that need to be taken in order to be edible?

No, lentils are ok fed dry, in FF, or sprouted. However... Kidney beans and I assume other beans in the same family are toxic if eaten raw. I also squeeze my pennies until they bleed.

I'm not going to lie I didn't search through the 210 pages of posts first.

Fish meal.

What happens when you ferment a feed with fish meal? I have heard it will get stinky but that's about it. Is it still safe to eat?

I just bought a 50lbs bag of feed and didn't realize it has fish meal.

It will smell stronger, but chickens are notorious for eating nasty stuff. Personally, I wouldn't eat it myself.