FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[dutchbunny83]

Okay, thanks so much for the advice!
I love this site!!!

 

[RoseMarie1]

Okay, thanks so much for the advice!
I love this site!!!

ME to on loving this site!

 

[Pasturepets]

Yep..that's pretty much the point of it. It is a mold..the whole fermentation is a form of molding caused by certain bacteria that are~ technically~ molds..the good guys. If you keep it stirred up each time you feed, the other~baddies~ molds can't get a foothold except on your bucket or scoop now and again but they will not be growing in your feeds, simply because they are outnumbered by a superior force of LABs and ABs.

Mix a smaller batch in your bucket and feed it out quicker in the hotter parts of summer because all the molds are accelerated in their growth at these times and that will keep all the colonies down to a dull roar as you are adding fresh water and feed more frequently to the mix.

If I had stopped feeding it due to molds I'd have stopped after the first week or so...but I haven't and that's been about 2 yrs now. No chickens dead yet from moldy feed so I think we are safe here.

Mold and bacteria are two different creatures! Fermentation is partial 'digestion' by either mold (yeast) or bacteria. Almost the only time visible mold is good is in blue cheese.

 

[Beekissed]

Mold and bacteria are two different creatures! Fermentation is partial 'digestion' by either mold (yeast) or bacteria. Almost the only time visible mold is good is in blue cheese.

True, bacteria is not mold and I misspoke. Fair enough! As for good...it's depending on what kind of mold/yeast is visible, wouldn't you say? If the SCOBY is visible on top of the fermented feed, I'd say that is the good kind.

 

[skitzkle]

Posted on a different thread but wanted to get the opinions on here about it:

"When you ferment grains, you get two different products depending on how long you ferment it. The first product will be lactic acid from our lovely probiotic organisms such as lactobacillus and bacillus subtilis etc. This makes some bubbles and a sour, yougurty smell. If you leave this too long, the lactic acid producing bacteria will essentially produce so much lactic acid that they raise the pH too high for them to live. It is at this point that you create the perfect conditions for alcohol producing yeast to start flourishing and producing alcohol.

The lactic acid stage is a nice fermented feed. The alcohol stage is a nice sourdough starter. I make my own sourdough starter from fresh, organic wheat, barley or rye. Grains grown out in the open will be naturally bathed in windborne wild yeast. I grind the grains in my Kitchenaid grain mill attachment and I put them in a container with some pineapple juice which actually has the perfect pH to hasten the killing off of lactobacillus and to promote the growth of yeast which will let my bread rise. If you have gluten issues or if you just want to stop paying so much for yeast that was made with who knows what kind of grains and processes, this is the way to go.

But I digress. My point is that you CAN make drunk chickens but only if you ferment for too long."

 

[neopolitancrazy]

Almost the only time visible mold is good is in blue cheese.

And penicillin, and camembert, and brie, and all mushrooms.

 

[mandaleigh1981]

Hey guys! I have already noticed on day 3 that my flock is eating less! And that they are more active and they mob me for their rations now more than ever. They never eat a whole lot at once; I feed them in the morning and by afternoon all is gone. I lessened it because the second day they didn't finish by evening. This time they did. I am very happy with how they are doing and want to thank all of you again. My first set of chicks should be in tonight and I will be starting them on fermented from day one. I will take pictures when I receive them and post; that way we can look back as they grow and see the benefits!

 

[write2caroline]

I have a question about something you said up/acv

I know ACV is Apple Cider Vinegar but what is UP?

Could I use Molasses?

What age can I start for my layer chicks?

Caroline

 

[wlhtx]

UP = unpasteurized

I have no idea about the molasses, but you can start the babies off right from the beginning.

 

[dutchbunny83]

You can get ACV at feed stores. I think it's supposed to be for horses originally?
But it's better than what you get from the grocery store (processed human acv like to cook with)