FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[Audio51]

Are you keeping the bucket covered or wide open? For the first few days, I would definitele be sure you have some sort of cover on it. You can look back a couple pages (the page before your first bucket picture to see how I keep mine covered. Are you noticing any change in the smell, sourish at all? You had quite a significant batch so it may take a little more time, usually about 3 days to start then once you have your base of ferment, new adds are ready overnight. Did you use the ACV? If I remember correctly you used more than just straight feed for this batch, some scratch or additional grains? Maybe that is why it could be taking longer. Stirring every 3-4 hours?

I was not covering the bucket even loosely. But I went out to breakfast and when I came home both containers were bubbling like crazy! I had added ACV to it yesterday. I strained the first batch and took it out to them. The two older hens started eating it immediately. The younger pullets were a little more hesitant, but started eating it fairly quickly. They seem to like it pretty well. I added more feed back to the liquid from that first container but still have the other 1/2 of the first batch for tomorrow to feed. This seems pretty easy. The hardest part will be finding a good place to store the bucket where other critters will not get into it.

 

[Maven]

Quote:

Yeah, I don't know if it was the feed or the ACV or both, and don't really care. I only know that all the folks around me that were hatching at the same time I was were overrun with cockerels AND they were happy if they got anywhere from 50% to 75% hatch rate. My hatch rate was as good as my pullet rate - the lowest I had was an 85% and I think that one was my fault - it was just too **** hot and I think my chief Cock's boys were getting fried - most of then never did develop enough to even look fertile.

Other than that, I was between 96 & 100% on all my hatches, and that included eggs from my touchy bearded/muffed EEs as well.

Like I said, I can't say it was JUST the feed, but my flock is just glowing - and they zip through their molt in a breeze - so I'm not about to change it now!

And final 'reveal' - all of my original stock that I've been hatching from - with the exception of my Cock - is pure HATCHERY stock! And these pullets are amazingly beautiful.

Come spring I am finally getting some high quality heritage stock - figure that if I have a flock this vibrant, productive and healthy I've learned enough on these gals that I can spend the money on the better birds and not kill them.

I'm really excited about that!

Again, really good to be back. And really REALLY good to see you 'back' too, Bee. You were missed.

 

[Beekissed]

Thank you! It's good to see you too!

And also to hear you are doing so well...that's golden. What breed are you going to get into in the heritage stock? And what about the health and quality of the chicks hatched...superior to prior hatches or about the same? We were wondering some time back about the nutrition available to chicks from these huge yolks from FF and one member posted some pics of her chicks hatched from FF fed parentage and they were quite impressive. Anything notable about yours as far as size, health, vigor that is different than before the use of the FF?

I love hearing about the extended effects of this manner of feeding and I so wish my granny could have tried it...she would have seriously LOVED using FF as she ate quite a bit of fermented foods herself. I wish I had known about this years ago...but I guess everything in its season, huh?

Would dearly LOVE to see pics of your flock and particularly if you took before and afters....those are always so cool!

 

[RoseMarie1]

Thank you! It's good to see you too!

And also to hear you are doing so well...that's golden. What breed are you going to get into in the heritage stock? And what about the health and quality of the chicks hatched...superior to prior hatches or about the same? We were wondering some time back about the nutrition available to chicks from these huge yolks from FF and one member posted some pics of her chicks hatched from FF fed parentage and they were quite impressive. Anything notable about yours as far as size, health, vigor that is different than before the use of the FF?

I love hearing about the extended effects of this manner of feeding and I so wish my granny could have tried it...she would have seriously LOVED using FF as she ate quite a bit of fermented foods herself. I wish I had known about this years ago...but I guess everything in its season, huh?

Would dearly LOVE to see pics of your flock and particularly if you took before and afters....those are always so cool!

oh yes it would wouldn't it.
me to oh boy would love to see pix!

 

[kpgoldstar]

I was not covering the bucket even loosely. But I went out to breakfast and when I came home both containers were bubbling like crazy! I had added ACV to it yesterday. I strained the first batch and took it out to them. The two older hens started eating it immediately. The younger pullets were a little more hesitant, but started eating it fairly quickly. They seem to like it pretty well. I added more feed back to the liquid from that first container but still have the other 1/2 of the first batch for tomorrow to feed. This seems pretty easy. The hardest part will be finding a good place to store the bucket where other critters will not get into it.

WooHoo! Awesome! I only need a small batch for my little girls and I just keep it in a foodsafe plastic container that I sometimes snap the lid down (still has gas-off) but most of the time it is set ajar. There is no smell at all and I keep it in the house in a corner of my entryway blocked by a large plant. I could keep it in a spare bedroom, too. I'm not sure I can ever keep mine outside, it is just way too warm. Critters will be a problem. I had mice get into my dry feed in the garage when I first got my chicks. Other than that we don't have any other varmin where I live. Maybe someone else has more wisdom about storage.

 

[kpgoldstar]

I was not covering the bucket even loosely. But I went out to breakfast and when I came home both containers were bubbling like crazy! I had added ACV to it yesterday. I strained the first batch and took it out to them. The two older hens started eating it immediately. The younger pullets were a little more hesitant, but started eating it fairly quickly. They seem to like it pretty well. I added more feed back to the liquid from that first container but still have the other 1/2 of the first batch for tomorrow to feed. This seems pretty easy. The hardest part will be finding a good place to store the bucket where other critters will not get into it.

Keep in mind too that they will not need nearly the amount you were accustomed to feeding, usually only once or twice a day as well. Mine always act like they're starving, but then they back off and do other things so I know they are getting enough. They are fat, sassy and super healthy! I finally had to break out the good camera as the phone was not working in capturing the little hoodlums! I am hoping to post tonight or tomorrow. Congratulations and it is pretty easy. You will notice the lack of poo smell before you know it.

 

[Audio51]

Keep in mind too that they will not need nearly the amount you were accustomed to feeding, usually only once or twice a day as well. Mine always act like they're starving, but then they back off and do other things so I know they are getting enough. They are fat, sassy and super healthy! I finally had to break out the good camera as the phone was not working in capturing the little hoodlums! I am hoping to post tonight or tomorrow. Congratulations and it is pretty easy. You will notice the lack of poo smell before you know it.

I have one of those deck-storage boxes out by the pen. I keep the containers for the crumbles and scratch in there and a bale of shavings. It has a lid and even a place to put a padlock. Only problem is it's full of the other stuff. I put the new bucket out in the shed next to the pen, but there could be vermin in there. I think I will move it back in the house or in the garage in the morning just to be safe.


They ate about 1/2 of what I put in there right away. It will probably take me a few days to figure out what the right amount is. My girls get the run of the back yard several days a week so they are able to forage, but I have always fest they could be a bit plumper. I keep a hanging feeder that always has food in it so it is not because they are not offered enough. It could be my imagination.

Looking forward to seeing you photos!

 

[Audio51]

Would dearly LOVE to see pics of your flock and particularly if you took before and afters....those are always so cool!

Oh! Thanks for posting that! I need to take some pictures of the "before" tomorrow!

 

[Beekissed]

Put up 20 qts of older DP chickens and stock in the jar yesterday and was incredibly pleased to note that, since feeding the flock all year on fermented feeds, the smell of the cooking stock and the flavor of the meat lacked that particular odor and flavor that accompanies an older stewing hen...a gamey, barnyard smell/flavor..that I had been raised up on and have always known as the taste of "real" chickens, not the baby CX from the store. Not that I minded it too awful much, it was just another flavor of chicken as opposed to the flavor of the young meat birds, which is a little bland for my taste.

This meat was so incredibly flavorful that I was shocked and the cooking smell was just mild and aromatic~no gamey flavor or odor at all. I'm old and I've eaten hundreds of home grown chickens in my lifetime and I can honestly say that this is the best tasting chicken I've ever had in my life. I'm wondering if this is what the Bresse chickens are like in their native land, raised on free range and finished out on buttermilk...if so, then I finally know what they are raving on about and can full well see why folks pay so much for one in the store.

The fat was so buttery smooth that I am freezing it combined with stock in ice cube trays to use for cooking things like stir fry, gravy, etc. After freezing it, I will keep the cubes in freezer bags and just take out what I need in those individual cubes.

I knew it had made the eggs mild and sweet in flavor, without one hint of sulfur or eggy smell or taste, but I had no idea what it could do for an old hen...this fermented feed is like some kind of super food. I had used it initially with CX and the flavor of the meat was very good, but not anything like the flavor in these older hens and roosters I canned yesterday.

 

[SCHenny]

I have a question about the Fermented Feeds. I have only been Fermenting my Layer Pellets and Scratch Grains for two weeks. I am using the two bucket system....I put in the layer pellets, covered with water and then put in about 1/4c of ACV and stirred...I have tried to stir every couple of hours. It started to bubble within 48 hours, I have put in fresh water and fresh pellets about every two days, when the mixture seems to get low. I started putting in the Scratch grains three days ago. My question is does the FF ever stop bubbling? My FF is no longer bubbling and I just want to make sure that it is still OK to feed to my girls. I only have 6 for the time being and do not want to do anything that will endanger them. Thank you for any help...