FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[azygous]

Okay. My head is spinning with information overload! But I think I'm ready to take the plunge! Can someone recommend a simple, one-bucket recipe and instruction, using AVC, so I can get started? I kind of like the idea of feeding my flock of 20 a "breakfast" of fermented feed, then leave them to their feeders of dry feed the rest of the time.

They are mostly all in molt presently and range in age from six years down to five-month-old pullets. I especially find the prospect of less runny and smelly poops to be a fetching one!

 

[fosterson]

Okay. My head is spinning with information overload! But I think I'm ready to take the plunge! Can someone recommend a simple, one-bucket recipe and instruction, using AVC, so I can get started? I kind of like the idea of feeding my flock of 20 a "breakfast" of fermented feed, then leave them to their feeders of dry feed the rest of the time.

They are mostly all in molt presently and range in age from six years down to five-month-old pullets. I especially find the prospect of less runny and smelly poops to be a fetching one!

I don't think there's really a cut and dried recipe.

I myself have started with 10 lbs of layer feed and covered it with just enough water to cover, then let it sit overnight. The next day, the liquid was mostly absorbed, so I added just a tad more water till it was covered again. Third day it was foamy and 'fermented' smelling and I scooped out 2 cups (enough for a flock of 12 or so according to Bee's feeding for her free range flock) and added a cup of mixed seeds and enough water to just cover. I'm just going to continue to alternate between a fresh scoop of layer feed and a fresh scoop of mixed seeds every other day.

I didn't use any ACV at all...didn't need it. The spores to start the fermentation are naturally present on the grains and layer mix.

 

[tcmstalcup]

My recipe-put water in a bucket about 1/3 of the way up. Add feed of choice but not to top of bucket. Feed will swell. Add a glug of ACV. Stir. If its too wet after 24 hrs add feed. Too dry add water. I keep mine at oatmeal consistency but its a personal choice. As you can see, this is a very exact science LOL.

 

[azygous]

That helps! Thanks, both of you! Sounds easy enough!

What I'm not clear on is how long the bucket of fermented feed is good for. Is there a point where it goes bad and you have to toss it and begin all over again from scratch? Or do you keep using out of it, replacing water and grain and feed as the supply diminishes? Does it go on forever, the never-ending feed bucket?

 

[fosterson]

As long as the bucket doesn't grow nasty hairy mold (and if you scrape down the sides with the replenished water when you add it and stir it good every day it shouldn't go bad) and it doesn't smell like rotting garbage or alcohol, you're gold.

As for how long the bucket (physical) lasts, I'd probably replace my food grade bucket every year, just to be on the safe side.

Don't use a metal bucket -- it will leach into the food.

 

[Audio51]

As long as the bucket doesn't grow nasty hairy mold (and if you scrape down the sides with the replenished water when you add it and stir it good every day it shouldn't go bad) and it doesn't smell like rotting garbage or alcohol, you're gold.

As for how long the bucket (physical) lasts, I'd probably replace my food grade bucket every year, just to be on the safe side.

Don't use a metal bucket -- it will leach into the food.

My SaveMart bakery has 2 different sized bucket they will give away for free. The get thier ingredients in them and they are definitley food grade. They just have to get rid of them anyway so they are happy to give them away. I would call first though just to be sure....

 

[Beekissed]

That helps! Thanks, both of you! Sounds easy enough!

What I'm not clear on is how long the bucket of fermented feed is good for. Is there a point where it goes bad and you have to toss it and begin all over again from scratch? Or do you keep using out of it, replacing water and grain and feed as the supply diminishes? Does it go on forever, the never-ending feed bucket?

The never ending feed bucket.....that would be it. It's never really empty as you use a little of the last to jump start the next and keep rolling along. I have a batch that I haven't refreshed for a week and probably won't get to refreshing again until next week...and it will still keep rolling along. I'll refresh it when it gets lower in the container. In the winter I keep batches larger and for longer because the organisms are a little slower to metabolize, so I want them to have enough time to complete digestion of the sugars in the grains and fully ferment. In the summer, I mix smaller batches that are more frequently refreshed with dry feed because their metabolism is quicker and it doesn't take very long at all to have a deep fermentation.

 

[ll]

Hi!

Hops into this board ~
I have a little question for you seasoned folks.
My pumpkin is fermented.
Before I let them at it - should I be scooping out the seeds?
I read that pumpkin seeds MUST be broken/crushed before a hen eats it to have maximum benefits... do you deal with the seeds separately?
Thanks for any shared experiences.

 

[Beekissed]

No, they don't have to be crushed or broken for them to get the benefit from it...just feed it as is. They can easily digest these seeds on their own without any help. The reason I know this is because I've yet to see a whole pumpkin seed~hull and all~ come shooting out a chicken's chocolate whiz way.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Is fermenting pumpkin seeds "do-able?