FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[EggSighted4Life]

I have read that I should feed 1/3 pound per chicken is it the same with FF feed? I just started feeding FF feed last week it's layer mixed grains and peanuts. Then I add herbs before I feed it. At first they didn't like it but they are coming around. The first day they still had feed in their pans so I cut down on feed now I can't get it right on how much to feed because this morning when I went out they tried to knock me down to get food. I have 16 in one pen and 6 roosters in their own pen. I have always used dry feed so I could fill feeders and didn't have to worry if they had to much but with this I don't want it just sitting in the pans all day and night. Any help would be great. Thanks

Hi.

Sorry, I don't measure my feed. I leave the FF free choice all day long, plus they are on pasture. But I try to put out enough that it's mostly gone when I lock up at night. Chickens are creatures of habit and can take a little while warming up to anything new. After they get use to the feed they always swarm no matter what I bring out or don't. And when I bring more, even though they have it still, they run around acting all crazy still.

It's kind of a guessing game here because some days they just eat more than others, especially with weather changes and such. But also a lot of my crew is still growing and then there are the culls.....

Why do you add the peanuts and herbs instead of just feeding out?

Some people still leave their dry feeders full so they don't have to worry about it. Personally, I want feeders collected every night or blocked off to avoid attracting free loaders or predators. I can't afford either.

Personally I don't like to feed roosters layer. They don't need the extra calcium and for some can cause kidney issues. I also don't think it's enough protein to support them or heavier breed hens. Oyster shell should always be available on the side. OS is the only thing layer has in it extra than grower. But the trade off is the same amount less in protein within the feed. I can provide support for my claims. Also when your girls hit molt, up the protein (from layer) to help feathers grow back (since you call your boys roos, I'm thinking over 1 year old). Of course, it is a personal choice.

 

[lazy gardener]

I have read that I should feed 1/3 pound per chicken is it the same with FF feed? I just started feeding FF feed last week it's layer mixed grains and peanuts. Then I add herbs before I feed it. At first they didn't like it but they are coming around. The first day they still had feed in their pans so I cut down on feed now I can't get it right on how much to feed because this morning when I went out they tried to knock me down to get food. I have 16 in one pen and 6 roosters in their own pen. I have always used dry feed so I could fill feeders and didn't have to worry if they had to much but with this I don't want it just sitting in the pans all day and night. Any help would be great. Thanks

The literature that comes from Blue Seal states that LF hen should be fed .2 to .25# of layer pellets/day. Based on that information, I've done a dry feed compared to FF calculation and found that my birds eat .16 to .195#/day per bird when on FF. I'm guessing that the difference between low and high consumption is due to decreased temp. and increased laying,

 

[two j farm]

Thanks I will just keep adding food throughout the day til I get it right. I'm using the peanuts because I got them at a good deal and they won't eat them if I put them in the feeders but they do eat them in FF feed. The boys don't get the layer they have their own FF feed without layer.

 

[mobius]

The literature that comes from Blue Seal states that LF hen should be fed .2 to .25# of layer pellets/day. Based on that information, I've done a dry feed compared to FF calculation and found that my birds eat .16 to .195#/day per bird when on FF. I'm guessing that the difference between low and high consumption is due to decreased temp. and increased laying,

Now that comparison is so interesting...the FF weight is based on dry food weight, right? Not the weight after water added? Hope that makes sense...

 

[lazy gardener]

Quote: Yes. I did the math by feeding out a 50# bag of feed which was fermented one bucket full at a time. Then, do the division: One bag lasted 19 days. 50 / 19 = 2.63157894737# per day. Divide that by 16.5 (no, I don't have half a chicken running around out there! Mid way through that bag of feed, I gave one of my birds to a friend!) and the result is .159# per bird.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Yes. I did the math by feeding out a 50# bag of feed which was fermented one bucket full at a time. Then, do the division: One bag lasted 19 days. 50 / 19 = 2.63157894737# per day. Divide that by 16.5 (no, I don't have half a chicken running around out there! Mid way through that bag of feed, I gave one of my birds to a friend!) and the result is .159# per bird.

I wonder how the expected intake changes when you do raiser with the OS on the side... in theory, maybe 3% less feed expected to make the difference between the two?

 

[Molpet]

I feed 50# grower (dry) a week.. I ferment it and feed 25 chickens and 5 turkeys. OS on the side.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I feed 50# grower (dry) a week.. I ferment it and feed 25 chickens and 5 turkeys. OS on the side.

I was going through 250# per month (20%) for 48 bird, fermented. OS on the side.

Which would be 0.17#.... but at various growth stages (no small chicks), both genders, and ALL heavy breeds. That is with all day lush pasture. I wonder if the stage of your ferment effects these numbers as well, bet it does.

At least it sounds like I am in the ball park.

 

[Molpet]

I was going through 250# per month (20%) for 48 bird, fermented. OS on the side.

Which would be 0.17#.... but at various growth stages (no small chicks), both genders, and ALL heavy breeds. That is with all day lush pasture. I wonder if the stage of your ferment effects these numbers as well, bet it does.

At least it sounds like I am in the ball park.

cold and/or snow this winter... today is the first day they went out for any length of time since Christmas.. In winter I ferment 4 days, summer 1 day. Jersey giants and turkeys eat a lot though LOL .. they all get to eat as much as they want 2x a day, unless it is near 0f then they get extra in the middle of the day.

 

[mobius]

So NOW of course I am wondering the difference in rate of FF used in months when chickens are pastured, vs. months when they aren't (i.e. winter here, for sure). I am certain some of you are able to pasture year round. And about that i am a bit jealous!

I may start to measure my feed. They also get fermented alfalfa right now due to not pasturing as well as some scratch at dusk and some suet lately, so it would be hard to measure (lol what a mess).

The birds also have dry feed available to make certain there is enough food. But they eat not much of that at all.