fermenting feed is really a simple process. take the feed ration you are using. place it in to a plastic container cover with water . if you want put some unpasteurized apple cider vinegar in with the mix. cover with a loose fitting lid . the apple cider vinegar is not necessary . the vinegar just helps speed up the process. the air has all the molecules to ferment the feed it will take 3-4 days to really ferment with out the vinegar. as far as spoilage. i use a 55 gallon rubber made trash can and 100 lbs of feed at a time. i always have some left over in the can before i fill again. the left over feed at the bottom is my good bacteria which helps the new feed get started.it takes me 2 2 1/2 weeks to go through 100 lbs of feed. i think i cleaned the can 1 time in over a year. as far as botulism , well what we are all doing is a form of preserving. if you keep the feed wet with water and keep adding feed the good stuff gets better and better. spoilage happens when you don't feed it (adding new feed ) or let feed dry out and then add water. although i have let the feed can run dry and never had an issue.
i feed a flock of 50 so the big can works for me. if you have a small flock use a smaller can. the feed i use is kept right in the shed / coop. never had a problem yet. i also have left the feed the birds did not eat in the feeder. my birds get to it the next morning. i think they lick it clean. they like that left over stuff.
i feed a flock of 50 so the big can works for me. if you have a small flock use a smaller can. the feed i use is kept right in the shed / coop. never had a problem yet. i also have left the feed the birds did not eat in the feeder. my birds get to it the next morning. i think they lick it clean. they like that left over stuff.