FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[rf12345]

in water I have acv and essential oils (small amount). I do not have any growth. Water changes daily or added and every other day on occasion. When it's cold they get new water daily

 

[EggSighted4Life]

With ACV in the water, are you seeing MOLD, or are you seeing black or beard or hair algae? Some algae looks like mold, if you are not familiar with the many types of algae.

I'm not sure. It looks like a big blob of snot from what I can remember, it's been a while.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I use ACV in my waterer. I use well water (with sulphur). Within 2-3 days I also get a light green covering on the inside of the waterer. It doesn't seem to bother the flock, but I do have to clean the waterer out more. The algae reminds me when I would walk in the creek and you would slip on the rocks covered in the green algae.

We used to go swimming at a place called sick rock..... ah the good ol' days!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

in water I have acv and essential oils (small amount). I do not have any growth. Water changes daily or added and every other day on occasion. When it's cold they get new water daily

Why essential oils?

Sounds complicated! Sometimes it's good to keep it simple. If you do so many things, especially at the same time... how will you know is or isn't benefiting your flock?

Do you ever leave plain, fresh water out for them? Seems like at some point the most benefit will be going to the companies selling all the things you add.

 

[rf12345]

acv is for getting rid of algi and digestion health, oregano is antiseptic and so on. at this time of year they do not have herbs they can pick and choose growing. People who do not want crd use it.
Oregano is mixed into acv, not difficult. tbsp per gallon is easy, and my waterers never grow nasty stuff and produce bad water based problems in the flock.

 

[mobius]

Ok I love essential oils but have not used with chickens. Rosemary seems like it would be a good addition, just thinking, but i have a rosemary plant so I may just use that at the moment.

Let me ask for clarification here: How much oil of oregano? Just confused by post. Do you add it to acv ? and then acv added to water? A tablespoon of EO? Seems like a LOT, have to say...just checking...

Also re: algae (haven't tried this but I may) you can put 1/4 to 1 cup of cornmeal in a piece of nylon hose, tie it up and float it in the waterer. I did this in my parents ponds last year, seemed to help. Copper pennies are another trick.

 

[TexasLisa]

We used to go swimming at a place called sick rock..... ah the good ol' days!

Our spot was called 'Alligator's Mouth'. There was a rock formation that looked like an alligator's mouth. We would go inside the mouth to cool down. The good ole days!!

 

[FlyWheel]

I only have two casks for fermenting at the moment, and they are only large enough for one day's worth of feed + enough water so the mix is thin enough that the gas can bubble through it rather than pushing the overlying mass up and out of the cask.

My question: Is 48 hours enough time for fermentation (assuming the following)?

1. I backslop; adding the new feed and water to at least 1/4 cup of already fermented feed.
2. I'm on well water, so there is no chlorine or other antibacterials.
3. I use warm water (about 100F) to help the culture get started.
4. Fermentation takes place inside the house so the temperature never gets below 75F.
5. I usually start seeing bubbles after just 4-6 hours.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I only have two casks for fermenting at the moment, and they are only large enough for one day's worth of feed + enough water so the mix is thin enough that the gas can bubble through it rather than pushing the overlying mass up and out of the cask.

My question: Is 48 hours enough time for fermentation (assuming the following)?

1. I backslop; adding the new feed and water to at least 1/4 cup of already fermented feed.
2. I'm on well water, so there is no chlorine or other antibacterials.
3. I use warm water (about 100F) to help the culture get started.
4. Fermentation takes place inside the house so the temperature never gets below 75F.
5. I usually start seeing bubbles after just 4-6 hours.

The conditions you describe sound like 48 hours is long enough. If you are leaving 1/4 cup, how much new feed are you adding?

 

[mobius]

I only have two casks for fermenting at the moment, and they are only large enough for one day's worth of feed + enough water so the mix is thin enough that the gas can bubble through it rather than pushing the overlying mass up and out of the cask.

My question: Is 48 hours enough time for fermentation (assuming the following)?

1. I backslop; adding the new feed and water to at least 1/4 cup of already fermented feed.
2. I'm on well water, so there is no chlorine or other antibacterials.
3. I use warm water (about 100F) to help the culture get started.
4. Fermentation takes place inside the house so the temperature never gets below 75F.
5. I usually start seeing bubbles after just 4-6 hours.

I do about the same! seems like it is always fermented just fine. Well water here too, same other conditions!