FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[Jensownzoo]

I wanted to give a quick update since you were helpful and responsive. I've seen you helping out on other threads as well.

So I decided to adjust the dose of the Corid to account for the (calculated) difference in water in the FF. That is what my internal reasoning decided to do. This morning I haven't seen any blood poos and everyone is still normal and active. 

Now I wonder... since the first 2 or so days was unintentionally dilute, should I continue my current dose for the full five days from it's start? or just the original 5 days including the diluted ones?

Thanks to you, and to the many posters who gave me the courage to start doing FF (even though I was just lurking)!

I would do it for five days at the adjusted dose. How the drug works is that it prevents the coccidia organisms from being able to reproduce. The body's own immune system has to kill the organisms that are already there.

 

[Mosey2003]

I started fermenting feed for my chicks about a month ago. Initially with Purina medicated chick feed because that's what I had bought, and it was great. Smelled like sourdough bread. I ran out, so wanted to get un-medicated, and the only brand at the store for that was Nutrena. This stuff doesn't smell sweet at all like the other, it just smells sour. Even just in the bag, it smells slightly off. Not overwhelmingly, like, "This grain is spoiled." but just slightly off. I even started a fresh bucket of ferment in case my previous had gone bad. Is this going to hurt them? I'm going to call around and find Purina unmedicated, but in the meantime I've still got a lot of this left. If I still have a bunch of chick feed left when they start laying can I just offer them them oyster shell? Or should I get something like an all flock? Please advise.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I started fermenting feed for my chicks about a month ago. Initially with Purina medicated chick feed because that's what I had bought, and it was great. Smelled like sourdough bread. I ran out, so wanted to get un-medicated, and the only brand at the store for that was Nutrena. This stuff doesn't smell sweet at all like the other, it just smells sour. Even just in the bag, it smells slightly off. Not overwhelmingly, like, "This grain is spoiled." but just slightly off. I even started a fresh bucket of ferment in case my previous had gone bad. Is this going to hurt them? I'm going to call around and find Purina unmedicated, but in the meantime I've still got a lot of this left. If I still have a bunch of chick feed left when they start laying can I just offer them them oyster shell? Or should I get something like an all flock? Please advise.

I thought medicated feed either wouldn't ferment or defeated the purpose..

Different feeds will smell different during the process, sometimes similar to sauerkraut. It depends what the organisms that are growing are how it will smell.

If you still have starter (unmedicated), you can mix what's left with your layer feed and still offer oyster shell on the side. If you have some laying and some not, the flock raiser is better to not give non layers to much calcium which causes either kidney or liver problems (1 of them) long term.

I use game bird starter and feed since that's what's available at my local feed store. It basically has a higher protien content. However if I was dissatisfied with a product, I would either return it to the store or call the manufacturer. Both places want happy customers (presumably). There may or (probably) may not be something wrong with it. But better safe than sorry!

 

[Mosey2003]

I thought medicated feed either wouldn't ferment or defeated the purpose..

Different feeds will smell different during the process, sometimes similar to sauerkraut. It depends what the organisms that are growing are how it will smell.

If you still have starter (unmedicated), you can mix what's left with your layer feed and still offer oyster shell on the side. If you have some laying and some not, the flock raiser is better to not give non layers to much calcium which causes either kidney or liver problems (1 of them) long term.

I use game bird starter and feed since that's what's available at my local feed store. It basically has a higher protien content. However if I was dissatisfied with a product, I would either return it to the store or call the manufacturer. Both places want happy customers (presumably). There may or (probably) may not be something wrong with it. But better safe than sorry!

Thanks for responding!

From what I've been able to gather fermenting the medicated defeats the purpose of the medication, but doesn't hurt the chickens or anything. It fermented up just fine. I had bought it because my friend said that it's best to feed medicated to chicks, I wasn't having any specific problem I needed it for. I didn't want to throw it out just because I wanted to ferment.

Can I mix the chick and layer 50/50 as long as they have oyster shell then? That wouldn't be too bad. If I wanted to throw some crushed egg shells in, how much of that is normally added? Hopefully I have all pullets, so when they all get laying I can feed everyone layer.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Yes everyone can get layer when they are all laying. Mixing it will be fine with the shell on the side. The difference will be... the calcium printed on the label will meet in the middle of the two feeds. Same for protein. Those are the main differences as far as I know. I would give the crushed eggshell on the side instead of mixing it. That way they can eat it if they need more calcium or avoid if not. My previous hens loved the crushed egg shell (presuming it's prepped right). The flock raiser has a little more protein and less calcium than layer feed (just for reference).

 

[Mosey2003]

Thanks!

Egg shell 'prepped right' - what do they prefer? I have a coffee grinder to powder it, or could smash with a rolling pin.

 

[Johntodd]

Here's how I prep my eggshells:

Get a blender.

Now go get a "small mouth" mason jar. See if the screw-off base of your blender carafe will screw on to the mason jar. Most of them will, even if it isn't in the instructions. If it does, then now you've got a dedicated eggshell grinding container!

As I accumulate eggshells in the mason jar on the countertop, I smash them into the container. Then when I get tired of looking at them, I throw in a little water, screw everything together, and blend it.

Then I pour that into the fermented feed bucket and mix. I do this after I feed them supper, so that it will be better integrated for breakfast the next day.

Hope this helps!
-Johntodd

PS Forgot to mention: I don't use the gasket when screwing into the mason jar.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I just smash it so it doesn't look like eggs. But also rinse them to get rid of the slimy stuff left behind and let them dry out. For me, after they dry out I put them in an old coffee can and kinda crush them as I add more, until I'm ready to set them out. I don't think you have to powder them but I like them smallish (pea sized). And if you don't want to put them in a bowl, you could always toss them on the ground and they will get it while foraging. In a bowl, my girls ALWAYS finished the egg shell before touching they oyster shells.

 

[lazy gardener]

Egg shell: I have a very sophisticated method of preparing them. I keep a bowl handy, and toss the shells into it as I use the eggs. When the bowl is full, I carry it out to the chicken run, or the yard. Dump the shells on the ground, stomp them with my feet (quickly, then jump back out of the way). The shells don't usually last very long!

 

[Beekissed]

That sounds similar to my method...right now I'm saving my shells for crushing and adding to the garden, but normally I just throw them into the garbage pail and take them out and throw them in the DL of the coop. I skip the crushing part, just let them consume the shells as are. Pretty labor free return of the shells to the flock.

No need to worry about creating egg eaters...it won't happen.