FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[beverly evans]

Quote: Thank you so much for this wonderful information!
Hi, I just do what everybody else does. I have a 5 gal. plastic pickle bucket in my kitchen and feed anywhere from 10 to 20 chickens from it, keeping it dryish, no straining, and backslopping every few days. I have fruit flies but I don't let it bother me. I let the lid that goes with it sit on top, not pushed on. Works fine. But if you really wanted to do the screen thing I would take one of the lids, either the push down type or the screw on type and with a serrated kitchen knife, cut a circle out of the top, then cut a round piece of regular window screen of either plastic or metal using the lid for a pattern. Then push the screen into the inside of the lid. The soft plastic might need some tacking with a glue gun, but the metal should stay put. This will give you lots of air and no bugs and very little cost. : )

 

[beverly evans]

Quote: Well, I'm old and not easily offended. It takes a lot for me to get down on a person. I always cut them too much slack! So I doubt I'd think differently about you. I would know it was not meant harshly because I know how you think about others and the world around you. XXXXXXOOOOO

 

[Beekissed]

Well, I'm old and not easily offended. It takes a lot for me to get down on a person. I always cut them too much slack! So I doubt I'd think differently about you. I would know it was not meant harshly because I know how you think about others and the world around you. XXXXXXOOOOO

I just love you, you know that?

 

[beverly evans]

Quote: Back atcha! And the good Lord loves you more!

 

[kpgoldstar]

I'm almost scared to say anything but..I know when you ferment sauerkraut that you have to keep it covered with liquid but when you make kefir, fermented milk you just cover with cheese cloth to keep bugs out but allow air in. So, it is confusing. But if you have been doing this awhile and it sounds like you have then it must be okay. I started mine this morning and it does have a little water covering since I didn't know how much would absorb and it is in a glass jar because that is what I had. I did just lay the lid on it because I can't find my cheese cloth. I'm glad I read that I read not to screw it on because the glass would break. I did add about a teaspoon of raw ACV because I had it and since some recommended it I figured it wouldn't hurt.

It's ok to have some water over it to start. Some feeds will absorb water more readily than others. Just be sure your mix isn't too near the top as it can expand and become the ever-growing jar! Stir about twice a day and judge your thickness each time. I used to keep mine way more soupy than I do now. It's fine, just needs to be strained before feeding. How many chicks are you getting? What breeds?

 

[clankeyes]

The only problem with this site is they insist that you need to keep water over the top (not true). Also, that your container must be covered. That is the way I read it and I am the one who had my glass jar explode because I left the top screwed down tight. Other than that it is a good site for initially learning about ff, and once you get going you usually figure your own best way for your individual situation.

After I read that post .. I found this thread.. the best of both options

 

[kpgoldstar]

Changing the subject a bit here....My girls ( one of which decided to be a rooster!

) don't seem to like the FF very much. This is day6-7 maybe. Nothing but layer feed and ACV and water. Is there anything I need to do different?

Also it is supposed to get down to 30 or so degrees ( our Easter spell). My 7 week old girls have been out without a heat lamp now for about 2 weeks or so. They are sleeping in a nest box. I guess they'll be ok? We'll start roost training next week and hopefully the free ranging can begin after that. (They are in with the big girls).

Are you still offering dry feed? How often are you feeding the ff. I agree about the ACV, most use WAY too much. Is it fully fermented yet or just wet? Have you been refreshing your bucket each feeding or is it the same ff as when you started your batch?

 

[subhanalah]

Are you still offering dry feed? How often are you feeding the ff. I agree about the ACV, most use WAY too much. Is it fully fermented yet or just wet? Have you been refreshing your bucket each feeding or is it the same ff as when you started your batch?

if my ff is particularly soupy one time, I'll add more dry feed to it and feed from that bucket at any point after stirring it up. I don't have a feeder with just dry feed though.

 

[Tumbleweed Farm]

Quote: x2

 

[grampsjim]

Other folks that have reported their birds not liking the FF found they were adding too much ACV to the mix...and that will turn a chicken off of the feed or water if it has too much ACV. How much did you add?

They will be fine without the heat lamp at that age, so no worries.

Actually, I haven't added any more ACV since the beginning batch, just more feed and water. I have been using Agri Products brand of layer pellets. I may need to try a different brand. It's fully
fermented with the bubbles and all. Right now it's a bit on the dry side. Moist but not soupy. They have eaten it a little better today. My chicks are right in the middle of it, too. That is, when the big girls don't chase them off. They apparently are still doing their pecking order thing...
I discovered that they don't like too much ACV in the water. I was trying to be "correct" in my measurements..( I'm a nurse and am used to measuring). Now I only put a 1/4 cup to 3 1/2 gallons and they use it fine.
Thanks for the info folks!