FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[HazelandPearl]

I don't have extra water in mine, it's mixed to a thicker consistency. After I scoop the feed out for the day, I add more dry and some water (back slop). I check it when I get home and adjust with more feed or water as needed, by morning it's ready to feed out again. If you go away (vacation) cover your fermented and put it in the refrigerator, this stops the fermentation. When you get home take it out and continue as you were, there is no need to start a new batch. Here's a pic of how thick I make it, no visible water. This is how my chickens prefer it.

View attachment 1474882

Thank you so much for your detailed response!! Great idea about the refrigerator.

 

[HazelandPearl]

Quick question, I noticed a little bit of white mold like substance at the top of the container. I wiped it out, how do I prevent it from growing on the sides of the container if I'm back slopping and not cleaning the container every few days?

 

[Molpet]

Quick question, I noticed a little bit of white mold like substance at the top of the container. I wiped it out, how do I prevent it from growing on the sides of the container if I'm back slopping and not cleaning the container every few days?

I think there are some pics of what is normal in this link... it sounds like you are looking at the yeast.
https://tikktok.wordpress.com/2014/04/13/fermented-feed-faq/

 

[Perris]

I used to worry about that too, but I've been persuaded that it's khan yeast, completely harmless, indeed part of the ferment brew, and you can just stir it in. I still wash out the containers whenever I feel they need it, but stopped skimming off the white skin and stirred it in instead some months ago now, and my girls are all fine.

 

[HazelandPearl]

It wasn't like the white globs I've noticed on other's photos, it was fuzzy and on the top of the feed. Mine isn't covered in water because my girls seem to like it more like oatmeal consistency. The fuzziness concerned me.

 

[Perris]

a photo of it would be useful for id purposes...

 

[lazy gardener]

Agreed, please provide close up well focused photo. How long have you been fermenting, what temp is it usually where you are fermenting. How often are you renewing the feed in your bucket, and how much are you leaving behind for your starter culture? Are you keeping the feed covered with water or are you mixing the feed to an oatmeal or mashed potato consistency?

Mold typically has hair like filaments. The SCOBY does not have any filaments that rise up from the surface. Scoby can present as a flaky looking film if it is on top of a layer of water, or it can present as a whitish or greyish/tanish covering over the feed if the feed is mixed to a thicker consistency.

 

[Erba]

I just started my chickens on fermented feed and they really do love the stuff. I actually just wanted to soak the grains, and presto it fermented. So now I will keep it going by just adding more feed. Smells really nice, like sourdough.

 

[aliciaFarmer]

I've been feeding all my chickens fermented Scratch and Peck brand corn and soy free feed since the oldest (3.5 months old) we're two weeks old. I also have a batch of 6 week olds and a batch of 1 week old chicks.

I ferment in a half gallon mason jar with a lose lid (I'm looking for a piece of window screen to replace the seal piece for better airflow). My girls and boys are in a cycle where they get one day fermented, two days fermented, three days fermented and then back to one, except during those times when they suddenly eat infinitely more, then it's a one and two day cycle until they drop back down. I ferment just with water, and sometimes add herbs, usually a couple of times a week. I also keep set Scratch and Peck in the feeder just in case but that's usually only for emergency back-up as they prefer it less.

For water, I put Braggs ACC with mother in their inside waterer (plastic), and occasional crushed garlic. In the outside waterer (metal) I add fresh herbs when we have them on hand or ready to harvest (basil, oregano, cilantro, rosemary, etc).

All of my chickens are extremely happy and healthy and I attribute this to all the good stuff they're fed, and getting to forage all day.

 

[Molpet]

I've been feeding all my chickens fermented Scratch and Peck brand corn and soy free feed since the oldest (3.5 months old) we're two weeks old. I also have a batch of 6 week olds and a batch of 1 week old chicks.

I ferment in a half gallon mason jar with a lose lid (I'm looking for a piece of window screen to replace the seal piece for better airflow). My girls and boys are in a cycle where they get one day fermented, two days fermented, three days fermented and then back to one, except during those times when they suddenly eat infinitely more, then it's a one and two day cycle until they drop back down. I ferment just with water, and sometimes add herbs, usually a couple of times a week. I also keep set Scratch and Peck in the feeder just in case but that's usually only for emergency back-up as they prefer it less.

For water, I put Braggs ACC with mother in their inside waterer (plastic), and occasional crushed garlic. In the outside waterer (metal) I add fresh herbs when we have them on hand or ready to harvest (basil, oregano, cilantro, rosemary, etc).

All of my chickens are extremely happy and healthy and I attribute this to all the good stuff they're fed, and getting to forage all day.

When I started fermenting kombucha, I used a paper towel held on with rubber band or hair tie.. Then I used thin fabric held on the same... keeps the fruit flys out too