FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[chickengirl1193]

Right now we are under 3 ft of snow so the only forage is the deep litter and kitchen scraps. They get a.lot every day and they are digging many holes in the litter and eating a lot of it! Most of it is hay pellets that the goats dropped that are starting to break down under the bedding. I also give them sprouts. Idk what else I can do for them when I can barely wade through the snow to feed them!
This may not be the place to ask, but would a ruminant benefit from fermenting feed or would it be redundant because fermentation happens in the rumen anyway?

 

[Scott H]

I'm offering FF all day...they eat, forage,eat and when I get home I offer a treat like left over meat or a green of some sort. Usually fresh spinach, kale or cooked brocoli. Forage is pretty slim pickens in north Idaho this time of year. ;-D

 

[Beekissed]

Right now we are under 3 ft of snow so the only forage is the deep litter and kitchen scraps. They get a.lot every day and they are digging many holes in the litter and eating a lot of it! Most of it is hay pellets that the goats dropped that are starting to break down under the bedding. I also give them sprouts. Idk what else I can do for them when I can barely wade through the snow to feed them!
This may not be the place to ask, but would a ruminant benefit from fermenting feed or would it be redundant because fermentation happens in the rumen anyway?

I think they would benefit if they were having health issues, particularly digestive issues. Sometimes they need a reculture of the rumen in times when they've had to take antibiotics.

The bolus I gave my sheep for a regular spring tonic and parasite preventative was mother vinegar/raw honey/garlic juice. I found it sure could revive a weak lamb real quick and in a hurry and cause a quick weight gain after the dose.

 

[chickengirl1193]

Oh okay so feed could be fermented in place of giving a probiotic when on antibiotics.
Thanks for the info! I dont wanna stray from chicken talk but it was something I was thinking about today when I was explaining the benefits of fermenting feed to my mom
My mom calls my ff mush or "good chicken mommy feed"

 

[kile529]

Okay, so I brought some chick feed in to ferment. I want to make sure I do this right - not fully clear on how much water to use. I don't have any ACV with the mother, so it's just water in the bucket for me. Should I mix it to the consistency of grout? Starting to get nervous - my chicks will hatch on Sunday and I feel like I should have started this sooner.

 

[Scott H]

Start by covering in about 2 inches of water...leave space for it to expand! After a day or so you can add more feed to make it consistency you like.. no worries.

 

[kile529]

Thanks! Just mixed it up! Wish me luck! lol

 

[Faerie]

Okay, so I brought some chick feed in to ferment. I want to make sure I do this right - not fully clear on how much water to use. I don't have any ACV with the mother, so it's just water in the bucket for me. Should I mix it to the consistency of grout? Starting to get nervous - my chicks will hatch on Sunday and I feel like I should have started this sooner.

I made mine up 2 days before I picked up my chicks and it worked out fine. If it ends up seeming too watery, just add a bit more chick feed. My chicks are 2 weeks old now, and just love it!!

 

[roostereggs]

I made mine up 2 days before I picked up my chicks and it worked out fine. If it ends up seeming too watery, just add a bit more chick feed. My chicks are 2 weeks old now, and just love it!!

Good idea! I am hatching on Fri/Sat so I should get some started tomorrow. Or I suppose I could just pull some from my 8 week chicks tub each day!

 

[kpgoldstar]

Okay, so I brought some chick feed in to ferment. I want to make sure I do this right - not fully clear on how much water to use. I don't have any ACV with the mother, so it's just water in the bucket for me. Should I mix it to the consistency of grout? Starting to get nervous - my chicks will hatch on Sunday and I feel like I should have started this sooner.

You are totally fine on the timing. My girls have been on strictly non-medicated chick starter and water ff since they were in my care at 2 weeks. As been said before, use enough water to cover your initial batch with about 2 inches. The feed will totally absorb the water. Try to stir 2-4 times a day. There will be water trapped under the top layer of feed, then feed under the middle water. If after a day or so it is super dry, add a bit of water. It all depends where you live, how dry the feed is to start with, how much humidity is in your environment. 3 days in, you should start to smell some sour and see a few bubbles coming up through the feed.

As you get closer to your chicks hatching you can play with the moisture content whether you want yours a little more dry so you don't have to strain before serving or a little more wet to keep it together and be sure your chicks are well hydrated. How many chicks do you think you will have? That will determine how large of a batch you make.