FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[LeslieDJoyce]

I feed alfalfa/Timothy pellets to my goats, do you.think I could add that to my FF while we have no pasture? If so at what percentage? My chickens already eat the goats hay right from the manger..

I've read alfalfa meal is okay to include up to 10% ... you could look that up. It has a lot of fiber, so that could upset their tummies at first? ... ? It also has a fair amount of protein, check your labels and do some math if you're aiming for specific protein percentages. I'm thinking fermenting it could help with the fiber issues ... ? ... ?

Poor answer, I know. I'm just adding a few cups to a 5 gallon bucket. It really changes the smell, color & texture. I might cut back a bit. If it seems to be upsetting them.

My birds love the hay in their nesting boxes. It's weed hay we're using right now and has a lot of seed.

 

[chickengirl1193]

I've read alfalfa meal is okay to include up to 10% ... you could look that up. It has a lot of fiber, so that could upset their tummies at first? ... ? It also has a fair amount of protein, check your labels and do some math if you're aiming for specific protein percentages. I'm thinking fermenting it could help with the fiber issues ... ? ... ?

Poor answer, I know. I'm just adding a few cups to a 5 gallon bucket. It really changes the smell, color & texture. I might cut back a bit. If it seems to be upsetting them.

My birds love the hay in their nesting boxes. It's weed hay we're using right now and has a lot of seed.

They already eat the "crumbs" left in the bowl of the goats alfalfa pellets so maybe I wont add it to their FF because I dont want to exceed the 10%. But maybe I.will add a bit, note any changes, then see if it helped them at all.
Thanks!
Or I can just give some fodder to replace pasture lol

 

[johnlogan]

FF makes its own prebiotic and probiotics, so it would be sort of redundant to add any. Some folks use a starter that has prebiotic/probiotic property to jump start the fermentation but that's about it.

Probiotics are expensive. And I agree with BK ... they are redundant with FF. As is Apple Cider Vinegar in the water, IMO.

Thanks for the replies. I have been feeding fermented laying crumbles since last August. My first batch of eggs for the season just hatched and only about 76% hatched. Some clear eggs, some stopped at various stages of growth. What could I add to the ff that would help fertility and egg hatchability?

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

Thanks for the replies.  I have been feeding fermented laying crumbles since last August.  My first batch of eggs for the season just hatched and only about 76% hatched.  Some clear eggs, some stopped at various stages of growth.  What could I add to the ff that would help fertility and egg hatchability? 

I don't think 76% is so bad. I believe people think they're doing well at 80%.

Breeders need plenty of vitamins and minerals, and a bit more protein is nice, animal protein preferred ... protein tends to be high in minerals. Vitamin D, vitamin A ... I've read feeding red peppers helps. Sunshine. Liver. Milk. Nutri-Balancer. I've read alfalfa is high in minerals. I'll have to check the Feeding Poultry book's breeding chapter again ... I just remember specifically the pimento pepper thing ...

Start feeding breeders to breed well in advance if breeding season ... like humans.

 

[johnlogan]

I don't think 76% is so bad. I believe people think they're doing well at 80%.

Breeders need plenty of vitamins and minerals, and a bit more protein is nice, animal protein preferred ... protein tends to be high in minerals. Vitamin D, vitamin A ... I've read feeding red peppers helps. Sunshine. Liver. Milk. Nutri-Balancer. I've read alfalfa is high in minerals. I'll have to check the Feeding Poultry book's breeding chapter again ... I just remember specifically the pimento pepper thing ...

Start feeding breeders to breed well in advance if breeding season ... like humans.

Thanks again for your reply. I've skimmed through the Feeding Poultry book's breeding chapter. And I believe it says animal protein is better than vegetable protein for hatchability. Protein from milk is better than protein from meat scraps. But then it goes on to say something about the improved hatchability from the animal protein may be because of the vitamin values. I'm thinking the protein in the feed I'm feeding is good, that I need to add a vitamin and mineral supplement. What supplement could I mix with the ff to feed daily?

 

[Beekissed]

Thanks again for your reply. I've skimmed through the Feeding Poultry book's breeding chapter. And I believe it says animal protein is better than vegetable protein for hatchability. Protein from milk is better than protein from meat scraps. But then it goes on to say something about the improved hatchability from the animal protein may be because of the vitamin values. I'm thinking the protein in the feed I'm feeding is good, that I need to add a vitamin and mineral supplement. What supplement could I mix with the ff to feed daily?

The FF actually increases the intake of the vitamins and minerals that exist in your feed ration, so I'm doubting you have a lack. They can only metabolize and store so many minerals and vitamins and the rest is excreted by the kidneys.

A 76% hatch rate is extremely good according to the folks who do it all the time...they shoot for 65% as being their good average and a little less on shipped eggs from what I gather.

It will stink like the dickens but you can always add a little fish meal to the FF. I wouldn't go overboard as they say it can make the eggs taste a little fishy.

 

[pdirt]

I've been meaning to do business cards, and I even have a design idea based on our farm logo. But I need to find a graphic artist to make me the appropriate computer files, etc., and that's a project I've been procrastinating. Then I can print labels for the egg cartons, or have a stamp made, etc. I'm sure it will be useful. But that's kinda "fluff" as much of the time I could sell way more eggs than I have.

In the past, when I've needed more customers, I've advertises on Craig's List. Right now I have a little local buying group taking about half of my eggs, and a couple other "large drop" customers, and that leaves me with just enough to hand out to friends & family. My sister's family goes through a dozen eggs every few days, so she's always pleased to get some

Try vistaprint.com for biz cards. You can design your own with their (limited) artwork, or your own, and its quite affordable. I've been using them for years and am very happy with the results.

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

Thanks again for your reply.  I've skimmed through the Feeding Poultry book's breeding chapter.  And I believe it says animal protein is better than vegetable protein for hatchability.  Protein from milk is better than protein from meat scraps.  But then it goes on to say something about the improved hatchability from the animal protein may be because of the vitamin values.  I'm thinking the protein in the feed I'm feeding is good, that I need to add a vitamin and mineral supplement.  What supplement could I mix with the ff to feed daily? 

Yep. That's pretty much how I remember that chapter.

A lot of people swear by Fertrells Nutri-Balencer (check the spelling in that ...). It is mixed into some feeds ... the local "organic" feeds I've been researching have it. I'd mix it in after fermenting ... just before feeding. Get the dosage right.

A little old milk/yogurt is easy to feed as a treat. You can stir that into FF just before feeding, or serve it on the side.

Scrambled eggs are a popular treat. Top dress the FF with those, or mix them in. Birds LOVE this treat.

Liver is a very popular supplement. People like to chop it tiny and serve it raw. I'd feel more comfortable cooking it.

These are all extras to a good feed.

And BK is right ... fermenting the feed makes it more nutritious, and helps the birds digestion, which both lessen the need for supplements.

If when you look at your birds you feel they need something extra, or you have some extras and could put the birds to work scavenging if for you, animal proteins are a good choice.

 

[Tikkijane]

Try vistaprint.com for biz cards. You can design your own with their (limited) artwork, or your own, and its quite affordable. I've been using them for years and am very happy with the results.

And you can use custom pictures and design your own cards, which is super easy because they offer a variety of templates. Definitely the way to go. You can also print your own-any computer store has the card stock and then you ge the templates compatible with your printer. Less aggravating for me personally to just use Vistaprint.

 

[chickengirl1193]

I just have a quick general livestock management question.. I remeber earlier it was said that when going on vacation the chickens can.just be left with x amount of days worth of food and they will be fine, im not going on vacation but im getting a new job where I cant feed my animals at night every night like I have been. The chickens will be fine since they onlyeat in the mmorning but I do feed my goats twice a day and im wondering if anyone here with goat knowledge knows if its okay if I just start feeding them only in the morning but give them double. And then they can just eat hay for the rest of the day. They are dry does so probably don't even need.the extra grain anyway...