FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

I would love to hear the opinion of those on this thread, who tend toward natural treatments and methods, on cocsidiosis treatment. I have read several sites, which of course vary from using corid or something like it immediately and sanitizing to just use FF, keep bedding dry and food and water clean of feces. I have been feeding FF (and dry feed) for a week (although it hasn't had a chance to get super fermented, as they eat it up faster than I can backslop effectively). Things have been clean, no smell, deep litter, but certainly there are feces around the board next to the water and occasionally in the water).

Today, I did notice watery, white poop from some of my 5-week old chicks with what could be intestinal lining or cecal plug (orange, long, gel-like, not red like blood). This is the first time I've seen this watery/white poop. The poop pictures haven't been very helpful, because the examples of both some normal and cocsidiosis poops I've seen posted look a lot alike. The chicks are behaving very normally and energetically. I just want to make sure that I did not misunderstand advice from those on this thread. From my reading through posts, I've gleaned that some/many of you would not give medications at this stage. Is that correct. And, if I did see a chick looking sick, would you go ahead and treat with corid or something like that or not? I'm about to take the PBR cohorts of this group that I've held back in the brooder to feather more into the coop with the others where I've seen the odd poops. These chicks were all "vaccinated" for cocsidiosis at the hatchery as 1-day olds. I know that just gives them some immunity, but shouldn't the poops be normal, if they are handling any infestation adequately?
 
Not necessarily true. There are two different chemicals used in municipal chlorinating. If your water is sanitized with Chlorine it will evaporate. If Chloramine is used (a combo of chlorine and ammonia) it will not evaporate. I am not sure which one my tap water is treated with and I decided that since I use it for my chickens water, I was not going to worry about it for my FF. I use only feed and water (no starter, ever) and my batches ferment just fine.
I'm glad you pointed that out. I knew that was the case though I've heard it will evaporate but takes five times longer (i have no idea if that's true). We're on West Virginia American water, a subsidiary of American Water which is huge in the east. I'm about 90 percent sure our system switched to chloramine a number of years ago, for anyone who is curious. The info is hard to find but if anyone needs to know for their own flock be sure and contact your utility.
 
Not necessarily true. There are two different chemicals used in municipal chlorinating. If your water is sanitized with Chlorine it will evaporate. If Chloramine is used (a combo of chlorine and ammonia) it will not evaporate. I am not sure which one my tap water is treated with and I decided that since I use it for my chickens water, I was not going to worry about it for my FF. I use only feed and water (no starter, ever) and my batches ferment just fine. In fact, with the warmer weather here and my house is 85+ most days it is almost too fermented. Girls turned their noses up when I got low on my last batch. I will be making smaller amounts through the summer since I usually make enough to last about 5 days. I'll be aiming for more like 3.

You got me on this. I'm on well water so will bow to your expertise.
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Old beer to jump start fermentation? Brewer's yeast?

no and no. We want lacto fermentation. Below is a link to an article that newbies to FF may find helpful. It has pictures of what it should look like and good instructions for the beginner.
http://www.gardenbetty.com/2013/05/why-and-how-to-ferment-your-chicken-feed/


Now, a question. I don't cover my in process FF. Thinking that I'm good as long as I have an inch or so water over top of the feed, however as you've probably noticed,sunflower seeds float. Does it need to be covered?
 
no and no. We want lacto fermentation. Below is a link to an article that newbies to FF may find helpful. It has pictures of what it should look like and good instructions for the beginner.
http://www.gardenbetty.com/2013/05/why-and-how-to-ferment-your-chicken-feed/


Now, a question. I don't cover my in process FF. Thinking that I'm good as long as I have an inch or so water over top of the feed, however as you've probably noticed,sunflower seeds float. Does it need to be covered?

Enjoyed the site. I took down her non corn mix. Funny that you asked about covering. Beekissed never covers hers with water. Thick oatmeal. However, Kassaundra has been doing it for 3yrs in a 33 gallon can. She keeps it covered by an inch or so. I asked her why and she said either is ok, it's just the way she learned. So I'm not covering mine in water because I don't like to strain it. Easy is good for me.
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Edited for clarification: I do put a lid on it to keep out the fruit flies. They lay eggs. Some people don't mind. More protein. ha
 
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I added some of my mostly whole-grain fermented feed mix to my 4 week old chicks feed. I mixed it in with their non-medicated starter grower to entice them to eat it. I have no idea how they managed to do it but they ate all the fermented feed and barely touched the started grower they'd been on since day two of their lives. It's great news I guess except I just bought a 50# bag of started grower yesterday!
 

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