FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[jerrey]

I have a question for everyone, my 4 month old rooster was acting strange like he was trying to burp almost. So I picked him up and his crop felt very hard compared to the other chickens. So I gave him some oil and water with a syringe and hes been drinking on his own and very active but his crop is still feeling hard a few days later. He only gets ff and scratch some nights. But I always have grit available. I dont think its worth it to call the vet or anything. But if he did eat something that caused a blockage will it pass eventually?

you know I had one hen who had a large crop I loved her a lot I would empty her crop but it just filled back up,she was so skinning I just could not take it any more she would eat everything I gave her it just did go down

 

[grampsjim]

I'm so sad to hear this. I purchased my chicks at a feed store and they were already 2 weeks old so only had dry food. I had them home about 3 days when I decided to switch to ff. From the very first feeding they took to it right away! I never had to sprinkle dry food on it. Simply chick starter and water. I fed in small flat tupperware containers and they gobbled it up in about 1/2 hr. I only had 4 chicks as well. I wish I had an answer for you, but I also believe they will eat it eventually if you take away the dry. I wonder if the brand has anything to do with it?

Ah, that's ok. They don't even like the dry stuff. I asked about the brand several post's back and didn't get a response. They eat it ( I think) or they are just scratching it around the coop. I free range them most days so I know they're getting plenty. They get cracked corn and scratch as well and veggie house scraps. I'll give it a bit longer and see. They are nice and fat and the younger ones are growing well. No one is sick, (even my sick one got well after I forced fluids and yogurt down her).

 

[LindaB220]

Ah, that's ok. They don't even like the dry stuff. I asked about the brand several post's back and didn't get a response. They eat it ( I think) or they are just scratching it around the coop. I free range them most days so I know they're getting plenty. They get cracked corn and scratch as well and veggie house scraps. I'll give it a bit longer and see. They are nice and fat and the younger ones are growing well. No one is sick, (even my sick one got well after I forced fluids and yogurt down her).

Sweetie, why on earth would they want to eat chicken feed or fermented feed if you're giving them candy (scratch) and table scraps. You want to give them fermented feed because it keeps them healthy. Scratch grain is 9% protein. Take it away for a day or two and have them eat FF. They will go insane for it later. I promise you. After they adjust, they will take FF over anything (except table scraps, of course).

 

[chickengirl1193]

New chicks are still pretty much living on the yolk and when they are picking at dry feed it's more or less instinctive picking at things but I doubt they are eating much of that either.  They will get hungry enough to eat it if you just remove the dry and be patient. They will not lie down and starve before eating it, I'm thinking.  I've never had a chick that refused it yet, so I'm thinking it's just a matter of giving them time to get hungry enough.


If he is eating and drinking okay, I'd just give it time.  He might have strands of grass or hay, etc. and can't get it down...it may eventually pass.  Just give him time and watch him...you might also gently massage that mass while holding him at an angle downward and see if he can't regurgitate it. 

okay thank you! My mom wants to bring him to the vet but hes my only roo and I plan on hatching his babies in the future so if he can't get through an impacted crop on his own without a vet then I dont think I want him to be the father of my future flock but my mom sees him as her pet... I think he will pull through though because he is still super lively and drinking and eating and showing his hens where to eat

 

[grampsjim]

Sweetie, why on earth would they want to eat chicken feed or fermented feed if you're giving them candy (scratch) and table scraps. You want to give them fermented feed because it keeps them healthy. Scratch grain is 9% protein. Take it away for a day or two and have them eat FF. They will go insane for it later. I promise you. After they adjust, they will take FF over anything (except table scraps, of course).

Oh, I don't use the scratch as a regular diet. It's only a treat and to help me get them back in the run. I have oyster shell out, too. I am trying another brand this time. Maybe I'll try ff again and I have about fed up all the kitchen scraps that I had saved up and frozen, so I'm sure that will help also. Thanks so much for caring....

 

[Beekissed]

okay thank you! My mom wants to bring him to the vet but hes my only roo and I plan on hatching his babies in the future so if he can't get through an impacted crop on his own without a vet then I dont think I want him to be the father of my future flock but my mom sees him as her pet... I think he will pull through though because he is still super lively and drinking and eating and showing his hens where to eat

Good instincts! You don't want genetics you are constantly propping up with medicine and special care....that's not a strong flock and never will be. The difference can be a flock that is easy and a delight to keep and will yield more benefits than they will worry and grief. You are headed in the right direction with that.

Oh, I don't use the scratch as a regular diet. It's only a treat and to help me get them back in the run. I have oyster shell out, too. I am trying another brand this time. Maybe I'll try ff again and I have about fed up all the kitchen scraps that I had saved up and frozen, so I'm sure that will help also. Thanks so much for caring....

Here's a way to simplify your life...feed once a day and in the evening time during the warmer months. This will get your birds back in the run and will help you cut your feed bill, while also keeping your flock healthier by letting them fill up on foraged, healthier foods before eating the grain based feeds. Kitchen scraps can be a part of what they forage during the day...you can throw them on the compost pile in the morning and let them "forage" for the food. It adds diversity to their diet and can be food they had to work for, which is always good.

By doing so, you can lessen their dependence on grain based feeds, they can fill up on free food all day long and then, any bird that didn't find enough out on the green can always get a full belly before going to bed. It's all a win/win situation....and conditions the birds to come back to the coop for their evening meal. No scratch needed...that saves you money also. If you want to keep the scratch, add it to your FF for variety. At this time of the year and in peak laying season, I'd only make the scratch about 1/4 of their total FF ration, with layer making up the rest.

 

[pdirt]

Finally got it done. Did I miss anything?

http://tikktok.wordpress.com/2014/04/13/fermented-feed-faq/

Great FAQ! A couple of suggestions...you mention using boiling water to speed up the ferment. I think you were joking but if folks miss the joke they will potentially kill off most of the lactic acid bacteria if they use boiling water. Whereas yeasts are plentiful in the air, lactic acid bacteria are not. Also you said the higher pH will eat metal buckets...the pH is actually lower in this type of fermentation. Nice work!

 

[Tikkijane]

Great FAQ! A couple of suggestions...you mention using boiling water to speed up the ferment. I think you were joking but if folks miss the joke they will potentially kill off most of the lactic acid bacteria if they use boiling water. Whereas yeasts are plentiful in the air, lactic acid bacteria are not. Also you said the higher pH will eat metal buckets...the pH is actually lower in this type of fermentation. Nice work!

I changed it to hot water- have read numerous places to use for initial ferment. They would kill on secondary ferment, but on initial, if you're just starting with feed and water, you don't have any cultures to kill yet, afaik.

 

[grampsjim]

Good instincts! You don't want genetics you are constantly propping up with medicine and special care....that's not a strong flock and never will be. The difference can be a flock that is easy and a delight to keep and will yield more benefits than they will worry and grief. You are headed in the right direction with that.


Here's a way to simplify your life...feed once a day and in the evening time during the warmer months. This will get your birds back in the run and will help you cut your feed bill, while also keeping your flock healthier by letting them fill up on foraged, healthier foods before eating the grain based feeds. Kitchen scraps can be a part of what they forage during the day...you can throw them on the compost pile in the morning and let them "forage" for the food. It adds diversity to their diet and can be food they had to work for, which is always good.

By doing so, you can lessen their dependence on grain based feeds, they can fill up on free food all day long and then, any bird that didn't find enough out on the green can always get a full belly before going to bed. It's all a win/win situation....and conditions the birds to come back to the coop for their evening meal. No scratch needed...that saves you money also. If you want to keep the scratch, add it to your FF for variety. At this time of the year and in peak laying season, I'd only make the scratch about 1/4 of their total FF ration, with layer making up the rest.

Ok, thx! for the info!

 

[chickengeorgeto]

... if you're just starting with feed and water, you don't have any cultures to kill yet, afaik.

Then you won't have any cultures period. Except all the wild yeasts, virulent viruses, strange bacteria, and funky molds that settle naturally on your wet feed.