FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[kpgoldstar]

Ok folks.. I need a little advice; this is the first
time since I started doing FF that I will have chicks. I'm wondering what ya'll ferment for your chicks ? I'm not sure that I want to use medicated chick starter, but is that what folks are fermenting for their youngin's or is there another feed that you suggest ? Do ya'll think I should use medicated feed because it's "better for the chicks" ? Any info will be appreciated ! Thanks

I used simply non-medicated chick starter and water. The medication in the medicated will be diluted if you ferment it so it is rather pointless to use it. If it happens to be the only chick starter you have access to, then go ahead and use it.

 

[Henlus]

I'm starting to love fermented feed. I think I'll try it with my layers.

 

[OHhappychicks]

I'm starting to love fermented feed. I think I'll try it with my layers.

I feed it to my layers. I also love it!! No waste, easy to maintain and mix. I believe my yolks are darker, and the eggs taste better. That is my opinion any way. I felt that with the dry, the eggs didn't have much flavor. But since ff, I think they are richer in flavor. Others may disagree, but this is my experience. And

!!

 

[birdlady79]

My girls enjoying their FF this morning

 

[LindaB220]

I'm starting to love fermented feed. I think I'll try it with my layers.

Yes, I started mine on day 1 and they are a month old now and so healthy.

 

[Tikkijane]

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

Ok folks.. I need a little advice; this is the first
time since I started doing FF that I will have chicks. I'm wondering what ya'll ferment for your chicks ? I'm not sure that I want to use medicated chick starter, but is that what folks are fermenting for their youngin's or is there another feed that you suggest ? Do ya'll think I should use medicated feed because it's "better for the chicks" ? Any info will be appreciated ! Thanks

If that's all you have available, it won't hurt. But it's not necessary.

{And it's in the FAQ linked above. }

 

[Tikkijane]

http://handhsoyfreenongmofeed.com/home/chicken-feed-rations/
It's a Texas company that makes soy free non gmo feeds

And a darn shame I can't get any. The search was for 500 miles, which made me laugh. You can't even get out of Texas in 500 miles (unless you're already on the border), lololol.

 

[Tikkijane]

My girls enjoying their FF this morning

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Ok folks.. I need a little advice; this is the first
time since I started doing FF that I will have chicks. I'm wondering what ya'll ferment for your chicks ? I'm not sure that I want to use medicated chick starter, but is that what folks are fermenting for their youngin's or is there another feed that you suggest ? Do ya'll think I should use medicated feed because it's "better for the chicks" ? Any info will be appreciated ! Thanks

I don't use medicated feed dry or FF.
It's not really 'better for the chicks'. It is a thiamine blocker and only works to starve the protozoa coccidia. If managed properly, it's unnecessary. FF tends to increase B vitamins so it may be counter productive.

 

[Tikkijane]

Having turned the babies loose outside is changing my backslopping/refreshing pattern.... instead of every 2 or 3 days, now I'm looking at needing more every. 1.5 ish days. I just did the math on what I'm giving, and it's right at the 1 cup a day, total.

I'm not sure I'm liking just the 2 night ferment, and I'm not convinced it's not as satisfying, which makes them eat more, which causes me to backslop/refresh more frequently.

I am tweaking the protein to see if it has any kind of effect like it does with people, but I'm thinking if the ferment is not as good at 3 days, that might be it.

What to do, what to do.....I almost bought another cooler the same size {especially because they were different colors} which would put me back to a 4/5 day refresh. I'm just not sure we could keep it straight for any length of time.

I haven't seen a bigger cooler with wheels and a handle.........

Am I over thinking it?