FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[RoseMarie1]

Oh I didn't realize that.

 

[suncatcher]

I have a question on these spores that are naturally in the air, I have noticed that my FF has a stronger odor for last two days, the only difference is we have had several days of VERY damp weather. I live in a high desert area and climate, so we usually don;t have much humidity here. Do these airborne spores multiply more in humid weather? Or are there different kinds of these spores in different climates and parts of the country? Just curious!

 

[Beekissed]

They do multiply more in warm and humid weather and I've read there are different kinds of yeast spores in different areas of the country/world.

We are still waiting for the expert on fermentation, PasturePets, to come and explain the whole process correctly for us all so that we can all learn about molds and yeasts. Check back for updates!

 

[amyandkids]

I can say everything bee has posted has taught me how to do it so my chickens are in perfect health, so I'm not to interested to hear the complicated explanation of it all!!! there is only one QUEEN BEE in this thread!!

 

[Beekissed]

A queen bee that doesn't know bacteria from mold, apparently. One mistake....a person can't win, can they?

But I'm willing to learn...just waiting for the right teacher. Still waiting...

 

[Lizabelsherrill]

Here's a pic of my feed with a light skim of the scoby on top of the feed..before it has been stirred:




And here's the same feed once it has been stirred up.....

I have just started following this thread and there is SO much information on here! I have 8 hens of various ages....POL to 10 weeks. I am feeding them all grower feed and supplementing oyster shell for the layers. They all are doing well. I started reading about fermenting feed and thought I would give it a try. I have put my grower feed in a glass jar and covered with water. I stir it 2 times a day. I don't have a beer smell yet...it still smells like feed...but I have seen bubbles on the surface and think that's a positive sign. However, my mix looks nothing like yours! Yours looks yummy...almost like a breakfast grain. Mine looks

. It doesn't really have any texture...it's almost like cream of wheat...and it looks like I need to flush it down the toilet. So what is in your FF that makes it look good enough that I would eat it?

Thanks,
Elizabeth

 

[Beekissed]

I have just started following this thread and there is SO much information on here! I have 8 hens of various ages....POL to 10 weeks. I am feeding them all grower feed and supplementing oyster shell for the layers. They all are doing well. I started reading about fermenting feed and thought I would give it a try. I have put my grower feed in a glass jar and covered with water. I stir it 2 times a day. I don't have a beer smell yet...it still smells like feed...but I have seen bubbles on the surface and think that's a positive sign. However, my mix looks nothing like yours! Yours looks yummy...almost like a breakfast grain. Mine looks

. It doesn't really have any texture...it's almost like cream of wheat...and it looks like I need to flush it down the toilet. So what is in your FF that makes it look good enough that I would eat it?

Thanks,
Elizabeth

That is fresh milled layer mash..I know, looks nothing like bagged crumble or pellets, does it? Has the same ingredients but loads fresher and less of the fine ground particles in the processed feeds. If you have a local feed mill or co-op in your area that grinds feed, you will find it cheaper and fresher than what you can buy at bigger feed stores or TSC.

Here's a pic of some of it dry, with some black oil sunflower seeds and a few pellets of another type of feed mixed in...underneath the grains you can just see the more finer ground ingredients. It smells like cereal too! Makes me wanna just pop some in my mouth..

 

[RoseMarie1]

I have just started following this thread and there is SO much information on here! I have 8 hens of various ages....POL to 10 weeks. I am feeding them all grower feed and supplementing oyster shell for the layers. They all are doing well. I started reading about fermenting feed and thought I would give it a try. I have put my grower feed in a glass jar and covered with water. I stir it 2 times a day. I don't have a beer smell yet...it still smells like feed...but I have seen bubbles on the surface and think that's a positive sign. However, my mix looks nothing like yours! Yours looks yummy...almost like a breakfast grain. Mine looks

. It doesn't really have any texture...it's almost like cream of wheat...and it looks like I need to flush it down the toilet. So what is in your FF that makes it look good enough that I would eat it?

Thanks,
Elizabeth

Mine and yours look a lot alike. Bee's was fresh stuff not fermented yet I think. Hers sure does look yummy though!!!

I'm not giving my chickens but 2-3 scoops now of their ff and they STILL have left overs tonight. So I'm just going to do one scoop I think tomorrow evening. Man it's just blowing my mind how little they are actually eating now with 17 chickens. At this rate I wont be going through but one bag of feed a month.lol

 

[hogster160]

Mine and yours look a lot alike. Bee's was fresh stuff not fermented yet I think. Hers sure does look yummy though!!!

I'm not giving my chickens but 2-3 scoops now of their ff and they STILL have left overs tonight. So I'm just going to do one scoop I think tomorrow evening. Man it's just blowing my mind how little they are actually eating now with 17 chickens. At this rate I wont be going through but one bag of feed a month.lol

My chickens and turkeys have finally had it with me cutting their ff quantities down. I am going to end up moving my turkeys as my turkey hen went after one of my smaller pullets today and pecked her beak when she went after a treat. Well, she actually cracked her beak, so now she, the smaller pullet is in the house where she can rest up and heal without being picked on. And back up to 2 1/2 scoops I go. My turkeys don't seem to be getting enough. So the solution will be to move them so they can eat what they need without getting angry at the chickens. It doesn't help either that shes maturing and is a raging hormone mess. My poor turkey doesn't know if hes coming or going. Can't do anything right. I think tomorrow or sunday, they should be moved to a new pen area. Close to where I'm putting my meaties. Hopefully that will take care of that.

 

[RoseMarie1]

My chickens and turkeys have finally had it with me cutting their ff quantities down. I am going to end up moving my turkeys as my turkey hen went after one of my smaller pullets today and pecked her beak when she went after a treat. Well, she actually cracked her beak, so now she, the smaller pullet is in the house where she can rest up and heal without being picked on. And back up to 2 1/2 scoops I go. My turkeys don't seem to be getting enough. So the solution will be to move them so they can eat what they need without getting angry at the chickens. It doesn't help either that shes maturing and is a raging hormone mess. My poor turkey doesn't know if hes coming or going. Can't do anything right. I think tomorrow or sunday, they should be moved to a new pen area. Close to where I'm putting my meaties. Hopefully that will take care of that.

Mine are having left overs at night time though and I don't want to draw critters to my pen at night time. I've sold several of mine and trying to get it down to where there's no left overs now. I wound up having like 18-19 cockerels and they can put down some food.
Hope her beak heals quickly!!!