FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[birdlady79]

Tha

When it's really thick it can't bubble much but stirring it will release those gases.  Should smell sour if you are getting ferment so just give it time...it will get there.  That's why I always recommend larger batches because by the time you get even a little ways into feeding that bucket out, it is well fermented and very ripe by the time you get towards the bottom, so the backslop materials you use are very, very well inoculated with good scoby. 

Thank you... I bought a pitcher yesterday so I will start doing bigger batches.... I guess my newest batch was so small that it hadnt had time to ferment bf using.... Smh

 

[Tikkijane]

Does it need to stay covered with water?  If so, mine is too dry.  

No. It doesn't *need* it. Some folks do. I like mine non-sloppy.

 

[Tikkijane]

I used to keep mine fairly wet, not covered with water but still wet enough that I had to use a fine strainer each time I fed. That of course resulted in the bucket becoming wetter each day, and the twice a day straining was a pain and time-consuming.

I don't add feed and water to my bucket daily, only about ever 4-5 days or so. Over the course of time I have been keeping mine progressively drier. It is so much easier come feeding time to just scoop and go. My girls love it all the same and they tend to stay a little cleaner than with the wetter formula. They still fling it in all directions but it doesn't become a matted mess on their necks and chests anymore.

Mine is certainly not as thick as commercial peanut butter, I would liken it more to grout or cement.  If I did have
drain holes in the bottom of my feeding trough like Bee does, mine is not wet enough to drip through if that makes any sense. It still is fully fermented, smells quite sour even without all the extra moisture.

Yep. No strainer here. I could prolly fling it a ways without it coming apart.

 

[kpgoldstar]

I've been doing mine a little drier... Like cookie dough.... I just do a small batch... It still bubbles underneath... I've been leaving a little of the access in too... But the last couple of days It hasn't bubbled .... I don't leave water on top so I can't ever see white stuff on top.... It smells like yeast... . Am I doing something wrong? Or not leaving enough of the old in with it, to make it not bubble? I stir it a few times a day and leave lid off...

Mine is a little more wet than cookie dough. I never see white stuff anymore with the consistency mine is. Mine doesn't bubble either except for the first 12 hours after I refresh my bucket from the couple cups of backslop left in there. I stir it twice a day when I feed and it gets more sour smelling each day. I make enough to feed out about 4-5 days then start the process all over again.

 

[Brada Puhi]

Aloha,

I feed my chicks dry chick starter for 1 week then gradually introduce FF to them. Iʻve had more success like that.

Aloha, Puhi

 

[ChickenCanoe]

For up to 12 or so chicks, I have an 8 quart stainless steel pot with 2 handles and a vented glass lid. Make a batch and add more chick starter when it gets down to a couple quarts.

I have four, 5 gallon buckets going for growing birds and adults.

 

[Tikkijane]

This is just what I was going to say.

Didn't we have discussion on fermenting medicated for chicks? What was the verdict?

 

[Tikkijane]

I think there is...though I don't know why anyone would use medicated starter as FF.  Kind of defeats the purpose of it all, both ways.

^^^ this, in relation to water fowl. ...

 

[Ami hoegemeyer]

How early is too early to start chicks (4wks) on fermented whole grains???

 

[pdirt]

How early is too early to start chicks (4wks) on fermented whole grains???

We just started with FF for our adult birds last year and plan to do the same with chicks this year. I believe I have read of many folks starting day 4 or so, some wait till week 2. So you are more than fine at week 4. Just be sure to offer plenty of grit if they don't also free range.