FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[kpgoldstar]

OK so I bit the bullet and started a project to FF.
I currently have 6 flocks so I'm starting with one of them. I filled a 5 gallon bucket half full of 15% Dumor finisher feed, added a little hard winter wheat. I then added 3 gallons of warm de-chlorinated water, added a glug of ACV, 2 1/2 tsp. active dry yeast and a teaspoon of Gro2max which is a combination of probiotics formulated for chickens with 5 strains of bacteria. Does anyone see a problem with this so far?

Also, I'd like to know what each person finds is the primary benefit of FF.

I don't know where you are located but I ferment strictly with chick starter and water, No ACV or yeast.
Then, primary benefit was less waste than with dry food. Additional benefits are more nutrition, solid poos, no smell in the coop.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I don't know where you are located but I ferment strictly with chick starter and water, No ACV or yeast.
Then, primary benefit was less waste than with dry food. Additional benefits are more nutrition, solid poos, no smell in the coop.

Thanks, I'm in Missouri. Is the less waste from the fact that they don't bill out the feed?

I read something about free bacteria and yeasts from the air being less desirable and that inoculating the feed would out compete with the less desirable strains.
Again, I'm not an expert but just tweaking based on what I have available.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Ok, another question. I've read that fermented feed or even inclusion of probiotics in the feed significantly increases egg weight, eggshell thickness, eggshell relative weight, and egg specific gravity.
For those that have been incubating their hens' eggs for some time, has anyone noticed a difference in hatchability after beginning FF as it relates to the thicker eggshell?

 

[niqueie]

Ok, another question. I've read that fermented feed or even inclusion of probiotics in the feed  significantly increases egg weight, eggshell thickness, eggshell relative weight, and egg specific gravity.
For those that have been incubating their hens' eggs for some time, has anyone noticed a difference in hatchability after beginning FF as it relates to the thicker eggshell?

Bee and maven talk about hatching and things like that on #1102 on this thread. On the Mobile site it's page 37 halfway down the thread. I think all the egg increases have to do with the healthier egg layers. The nutrition is superior so the chicken is getting everything they need and more. It's not just the probiotics but the fermenting makes the feed it self much more digest able so the chickens body can use all of the nutrients from the feed.

 

[beverly evans]

Quote:
1/2 cup of ff. per bird.

 

[kpgoldstar]

Thanks, I'm in Missouri. Is the less waste from the fact that they don't bill out the feed?

I read something about free bacteria and yeasts from the air being less desirable and that inoculating the feed would out compete with the less desirable strains.
Again, I'm not an expert but just tweaking based on what I have available.

Yes, correct. They do not scatter the feed all over creation like they tend to do with dry. Mine finish their ration within a couple of hours and they peck the container absolutely clean.

 

[beverly evans]

Quote:
Sorry Bee, I just went with your "I'm feeding 4 cups for 8 chickens" as a way to figure how much per bird, not meaning to misquote you or anything like that. I get that it is a "variable" : )

 

[Audio51]

I don't know where you are located but I ferment strictly with chick starter and water, No ACV or yeast.
Then, primary benefit was less waste than with dry food. Additional benefits are more nutrition, solid poos, no smell in the coop.

Does it matter whethere the Chick Starter is medicated or not?

 

[beverly evans]

If you have the scrap material around, you could also try this:

Drill a bunch of large holes in the bottom of the top bucket, say 1/4". This will ensure the draining. Then cut to fit in the bottom of the same bucket a piece of nylon window screen. It might be a good time of year (it is here, all the bugs are gone!) to replace that hole-y screen in the screen door with new stuff and use a piece of the old screen for your bucket. It would work with aluminum screening as well, but harder to work with and I prefer not having aluminum touching my food (I'll be eating the eggs and chicken). This way the screen will stop the feed from draining through or plugging up the larger holes in the top bucket. Drill some tiny holes on the sides of the bucket to help with the release when you pull the top bucket from the bottom one.

pd


Quote:

The one bucket method is so much less trouble and using a strainer for the scoop. Just rest it on the bucket edge for a moment to drain and you're good to go!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Does it matter whethere the Chick Starter is medicated or not?

It matters whether you want a thiamine blocker in your feed or not.