FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[Ariel188]

Above 130F might be hot enough to kill the beneficial bacteria. 80F is just fine.

Different microorganisms thrive at slightly different temperatures and conditions, but it's not something we need to worry about. Just remember that while your FF will ferment at 60F, it will be very slow and result in a different product/smell than when you ferment at 80F or 90F. Higher temps ferment faster. Below 60F fermentation slows WAY down, what would take a day or two at 80F might take a week or two at 55F.

No need to add more ACV. If you do (especially if you're not measuring), it would be very easy to add too much ACV and while it won't be spoiled, it could be too acidic for the birds to stomach. Try this experiment: take two same size water glasses, in each glass, add 2tsp of ACV and add 6-8oz of water in the one of the glasses. Drink both glasses and tell us which one you preferred!

haha ok I get it thank you. I will stop adding SO MUCH acv, maybe THAT is why they don't like it!

 

[pdirt]

I like to add it to the feed instead of the water and I want the girls to have it for the other benefits.

Was thinking of adding fresh organic crushed garlic cloves to the FF also, or should I not do that?

If you want to use ACV, I'd start by figuring out how much you're using. Like I wrote in another post, it's very easy to overdo the ACV, as it is very strong. Think of it like a squeeze of lemon in your water, really not much at all, just a taste. Same would go for adding it to FF.

What I've found as a good idea when it comes to adding new things to the FF is to make a small batch first. Then if you find out that they won't eat it with the new thing that you don't have a huge bucket of it to try to figure out what to do with.

 

[Ariel188]

If you want to use ACV, I'd start by figuring out how much you're using. Like I wrote in another post, it's very easy to overdo the ACV, as it is very strong. Think of it like a squeeze of lemon in your water, really not much at all, just a taste. Same would go for adding it to FF.

What I've found as a good idea when it comes to adding new things to the FF is to make a small batch first. Then if you find out that they won't eat it with the new thing that you don't have a huge bucket of it to try to figure out what to do with.

Great idea seems like a common sense but with chickens it is all a learning curve!

 

[Tikkijane]

I like to add it to the feed instead of the water and I want the girls to have it for the other benefits.  

Was thinking of adding fresh organic crushed garlic cloves to the FF also, or should I not do that?

Too much ACV can lower their ph and cause issues. It's kind of redundant in the feed.

I keep my feed simple, but do add a wee little bit of ACV to the water for de-slimeing; also slightly smashed garlic (clove) to the water.

 

[Tikkijane]

Okay I have a random question - do you all keep dry feed out and accessible at all times too?? I just am thinking, what if we wanted to go away for the weekend and they are only used to FF being fed to them daily. Then what?? Whereas if I have dry food available and we leave for a weekend they could just eat that while we're gone and be okay skipping 2 days of FF.

Thoughts?

My short answer is no. I leave enough ff for whoever is watching chooks. Mine free range, so they need to be secured at night. Others do it differently when the leave; that's what's working for me right now.

 

[Ariel188]

Too much ACV can lower their ph and cause issues. It's kind of redundant in the feed.

I keep my feed simple, but do add a wee little bit of ACV to the water for de-slimeing; also slightly smashed garlic (clove) to the water.

I have the chicken fountain set up so adding the garlic to the water would not really work. Can I add the smashed garlic to the FF?

 

[SavageDestiny]

I have the chicken fountain set up so adding the garlic to the water would not really work. Can I add the smashed garlic to the FF?

I do. I chop up garlic and add it to their FF every night for their dinner.

 

[Ariel188]

I do. I chop up garlic and add it to their FF every night for their dinner.

Wait, so you add the garlic to the feed while it is fermenting OR you chop it up fresh and add it on top as you serve each meal? Thanks!

 

[kile529]

The poultry specialists I've spoken to about feed STRONGLY encourage using Turkey Starter ... 28% protein feed ... for poults. It isn't that easy to find around here.

Ok thank you!! I'll get some from my neighbor tonight....hopefully I'm not killing them...but I did only just get them Wednesday. I'll make sure to pick some up tomorrow. I'm guessing it's still okay to ferment the turkey feed?

 

[SavageDestiny]

Wait, so you add the garlic to the feed while it is fermenting OR you chop it up fresh and add it on top as you serve each meal? Thanks!

Sorry, should have been more clear. I chop it up fresh each night and add it to the meal. Freshly chopped or crushed garlic is supposed to be the most beneficial, so that's what I do.