FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[Urban Rustic]

I have stopped using fermented feed. My egg count went down. Then I noticed it was starting to smell....not right. At first DH said it was just smelling "fermenty". Within 2 days, it was knocking us over and when we dumped it in the alley behind our house, you could smell it up on the porch. Since switching them off of the fermented feed, their egg production went up 1-2 eggs a day (I have 6 laying). I have too much going on in my day to have to so very closely babysit a ferment for my chickens when I'm already doing that with several for the people. I decided it wasn't worth the extra hassle.

 

[galanie]

I had the same thing happen the first time I did it. But then I went back after a couple months not doing so and did it a bit different. I basically just soak the food till it's like peanut butter and put in a bit of Braggs. Stir and feed. If there's any leftover, I add feed and water and maybe another few drops of Braggs. Or not. It's in the house now and I don't smell a thing. I think we got carried away with too much liquid at first. Plus in the summer all sorts of nasties can grow that you don't want.

 

[missnu01]

Ok...I tried for the first time fermenting my feed...I just used some chick starter and ACV, but in 2 days it was starting to mold...is it possible that this happened simply because there wasn't enough water in the buckets? I only wanted to do a little at a time..and I know with fermented veggies they are supposed to be submerged because the fermentation you want for human health is anaerobic..so are we also trying to get anaerobic fermentation? If so, would it not be better to use something with an air tight lid? On the other side of this question and my searchings, I have to wonder why it would be healthy to have anaerobic fermentation as anaerobic bacteria are by and large unhealthy, where are aerobic bacteria are usually the good kind that you want.

 

[Elliemae 77]

I've just started using ff a couple of weeks ago.

I have some young pullets that haven't started laying yet and 3 ladies laying so I'm using a mix of layer pellets, and starter/grower ration mixed with a organic layer ration and a organic grower ration . Both are grain based. Once my TSC layer and grower rations are gone ill be using strictly organic feed. I started using this method not only hoping to see the health benefits, but also the organic feed was pretty light and fluffy. The girls were wasting a lot of it. Now that its a wet, fermented feed they clean their plate and beg for more. I do offer oyster shell and scratch grain free choice. I'm very pleased with this method I haven't really noticed a difference in egg production, but they do seem more content. It does seem cost very cost effective. It takes a lot less feed per day to keep everybody happy. And that's a huge plus considering the cost of organic feed. I did notice a little bit of runny poop but I don't notice a bad smell. I do backslop and drain off as much water as I can get with a seive. I wonder if maybe my mix is a little too strong. It does smell a little strong, but its not rancid, nasty smell. Smells like beer and you don't smell anything unless your head is right over the bucket. I'll give it a couple more days and I see no improvement in poo then ill start over with a new mix. I'm just using water and braggs acv. It's too cold up here to slop feed in the barn, so I have a neat little set up in my unfinished basement. I only mix up enough for two days at a time so I have a two buckets cooking and one bucket feeding rotation. I only have 10 chickens and a turkey so I'm able to fit enough food and water to cover for each day in cute little 8qt. Pails Of course I'm a victem of chicken math so I know by spring ii will have to upgrade to 5 gallon buckets

 

[JodyDI]

I just read every post here. I did not see any comment about what type of containers are used. Can I use Stainless steel for fermenting? Plastic? or do I need a stoneware crock? I'm worried about plastic leaching.

 

[Jeanette56]

Jody,
You can use just about any container available to you. Many fermenters use 5 gallon buckets. Leaching is always a worry but you can ask at local groceries, bakeries, etc. and see if you can find some that contained food products at one time. Stainless steel should be fine although I would personally shy away from anything aluminum. A lot depends on how many birds you have and how much feed you want or need to ferment.

Jeanette
Texas

I just read every post here. I did not see any comment about what type of containers are used. Can I use Stainless steel for fermenting? Plastic? or do I need a stoneware crock? I'm worried about plastic leaching.

 

[galanie]

Yes, don't use aluminum or galvanized steel. Most of us use plastic 5 gallon buckets or garbage cans or whatever size you happen to need. I've found that even just giving them feed soaked in water really keeps the waste down. They can't or won't bill it out like dry food so it doesn't get all wasted on the ground and you don't have to feed them in anything fancy or special. I use a bowl and a bit of pvc guttering. Easy feed, easy cleanup.

Once you get used to doing it, FF isn't a big deal. Just get it wet and glug in some Braggs is what I do. I have no extra moisture floating around in there once the feed is soaked well. It's kinda like oatmeal. It'll ferment without being excessively wet.

 

[JodyDI]

I have a small flock, of hens, and pullets. I did find a big stoneware bowl to try. also had some yogurt whey left over, fed them yesterday after 3 days, it smelled perfect, like beer brewing. Oh my goodness, they "went to town"!! again today, they ate every bit. I'm buying expensive soy free organic layer. they do waste alot. Hoping this will help with the waste issue.

 

[JacqueOCS]

My first try at FF, it's been 24 hours and this is what it looks like. Did I add to much water? I see nothing "growing" on top. It smells delish though. Thank you for any advise.

 

[missnu01]

Looks right. You don't really want to see anything growing on top..just foam. You want to send that fermentation to the next level? Put an air pump in so it keeps the sludge moving. I make activated compost teas the bubbling the mix makes all the difference between fermentation and spoilage