FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[LeslieDJoyce]

It may be that mold just grows more easily where you live. I wouldn't worry about it. Wipe it off if you wish. I wouldn't bother transferring to a new container, because unless you get rid of the mold issue entirely (such as moving to the desert), it will likely grow back. If your container is plastic you could wipe the moldy areas of the container with vinegar (cheap white works), then put a tight fitting lid on it to keep air out. Molds typically need air to grow.

Even if you get mold growing on the feed itself, simply stirring it in (or scraping it off if there is a whole lot of it) will do the trick. It won't solve your mold problem, but it will keep it under control. The mold won't grow IN the feed, only ON it, because it needs air to grow. The acids and probiotics in the FF will take care of the mold.

I'm absolutely no expert, but from what I understand "bad" mold spores (the evil twins of the "good" stuff we're trying to capture and cultivate for the Fermented Feed) exist everywhere and are virtually impossible to exclude, but they need both moisture and a certain kind of relative humidity to flourish. "Bad" mold spores don't do well in an evaporating environment; they grow better in places where humidity is either trapped or increasing. That's why I suggest leaving the FF container as open as possible ... especially if mold above the active fermenting area has been a problem. You want that area to "dry out" so mold doesn't prefer to grow there.

 

[Tikkijane]

I'm not sure if what you've got growing is "good" or "bad," but if you don't like it, you might want to consider moving your FF bucket to a cooler/cleaner spot? Air temperatures and spores in the air will determine what cultures grow and how fast they grow. You could probably dig up research on the optimal temperature at which to ferment grains ... lots of the research I've read discusses that, but I haven't bothered to pay attention to that detail because everything seems to be working okay for me so far.

I only started the FF project this winter, and have kept the buckets in my kitchen. As it has gotten warmer, I've noticed more activity in the buckets ... in the form of faster start to the fermentation process. I keep the bucket entirely open to the air ... for some reason I feel that trapped moist air won't be as healthy as circulating dryer air, but I have not done any research into that. I'm feeling the "need" to stir it more often now that it is warmer.

I also scrape down the sides ... and stir 2x per day. The acid environment of the interior of the FF is the best protection against funky stuff growing. 

If I thought I had a problem with one of my FF buckets mildewing ... I'd transfer the FF to a new bucket being careful to not get the mildew in the new bucket/feed, and I'd do some "mildew abatement" to the old bucket ... meaning I'd scrub it down and soak it with a strong bleach solution then rinse it really well, then let it air dry very, very well before I'd use it again.

It may be that mold just grows more easily where you live. I wouldn't worry about it. Wipe it off if you wish. I wouldn't bother transferring to a new container, because unless you get rid of the mold issue entirely (such as moving to the desert), it will likely grow back. If your container is plastic you could wipe the moldy areas of the container with vinegar (cheap white works), then put a tight fitting lid on it to keep air out. Molds typically need air to grow.

Even if you get mold growing on the feed itself, simply stirring it in (or scraping it off if there is a whole lot of it) will do the trick. It won't solve your mold problem, but it will keep it under control. The mold won't grow IN the feed, only ON it, because it needs air to grow. The acids and probiotics in the FF will take care of the mold.

Bee said to wipe it off the sides and stir and feed.   

Yep. Scrape down the sides/top regularly. Feed or don't- that little bit will be eaten by the good bugs if it's regular 'ole mold. If you're worried- clean up the icky parts with a paper towel and pitch. NO need to dump the whole batch.

 

[aatx]

Yep. Scrape down the sides/top regularly. Feed or don't- that little bit will be eaten by the good bugs if it's regular 'ole mold. If you're worried- clean up the icky parts with a paper towel and pitch. NO need to dump the whole batch.

I think one of my problems was my container. It was not a bucket where I could get to all the sides - it was more like a canister and I could not get up under the edges.

I've got it in a bucket right now. I did just carefully scoop it out and transfer it to the new container, I didn't throw it out. Seems to be doing fine now. No weird smells or anything, just the normal sour smell. I have stirred it a few times each day just in case there was something I missed to make sure it gets incorporated.

I've got two chicks that are smaller and have had constipation issues. That's finally clearing up, so now I want to make sure they get some extra nutrition, so a few times I week, I given them boiled eggs. The two little ones get it first - probably about 1/4 of the yolk and a chunk of white chopped up. Then the rest of the egg gets chopped up small and goes to everyone. That's 1 egg split between 17 chicks, so I don't think it's too much. They are still smaller than the rest, but they are act like the others and seem quite healthy, so I have high hopes for them.

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

I think one of my problems was my container. It was not a bucket where I could get to all the sides - it was more like a canister and I could not get up under the edges.

I've got it in a bucket right now. I did just carefully scoop it out and transfer it to the new container, I didn't throw it out. Seems to be doing fine now. No weird smells or anything, just the normal sour smell. I have stirred it a few times each day just in case there was something I missed to make sure it gets incorporated.

I've got two chicks that are smaller and have had constipation issues. That's finally clearing up, so now I want to make sure they get some extra nutrition, so a few times I week, I given them boiled eggs. The two little ones get it first - probably about 1/4 of the yolk and a chunk of white chopped up. Then the rest of the egg gets chopped up small and goes to everyone. That's 1 egg split between 17 chicks, so I don't think it's too much. They are still smaller than the rest, but they are act like the others and seem quite healthy, so I have high hopes for them.

Ahhh. You make a very good point. I first started doing the FF in a big glass pickle barrel. I love that it was glass, but it had a smaller opening at the top that made it difficult to scoop/stir and it got all messy and it was harder to keep scraped down so we felt we were wasting feed (and time!). We have much better luck with the plastic buckets.

I give my chicks cooked egg, too. I mix crumbled scrambled eggs into their FF. Everyone else knows when the "Baby Food" bucket comes out, and pushes to get some.

 

[Tikkijane]

I think one of my problems was my container.  It was not a bucket where I could get to all the sides - it was more like a canister and I could not get up under the edges.

I've got it in a bucket right now.  I did just carefully scoop it out and transfer it to the new container, I didn't throw it out.  Seems to be doing fine now.  No weird smells or anything, just the normal sour smell.  I have stirred it a few times each day just in case there was something I missed to make sure it gets incorporated.

I've got two chicks that are smaller and have had constipation issues.  That's finally clearing up, so now I want to make sure they get some extra nutrition, so a few times I week, I given them boiled eggs.  The two little ones get it first - probably about 1/4 of the yolk and a chunk of white chopped up.  Then the rest of the egg gets chopped up small and goes to everyone.  That's 1 egg split between 17 chicks, so I don't think it's too much.  They are still smaller than the rest, but they are act like the others and seem quite healthy, so I have high hopes for them.

Good deal! Make sure they have grit on board if they don't already. And ya, rolled edges can be an issue, for sure.

 

[aatx]

Ahhh. You make a very good point. I first started doing the FF in a big glass pickle barrel. I love that it was glass, but it had a smaller opening at the top that made it difficult to scoop/stir and it got all messy and it was harder to keep scraped down so we felt we were wasting feed (and time!). We have much better luck with the plastic buckets.

I give my chicks cooked egg, too. I mix crumbled scrambled eggs into their FF. Everyone else knows when the "Baby Food" bucket comes out, and pushes to get some.

Yes, when I was keeping water above the food, it was fine to use that container, but when I started letting it get drier, instead of running back down the sides, it stuck on there like mortar. I do not like the looks of my small bucket, but it is functioning better right now. They go nuts for the egg and even recognize the sound it makes when I mash it up with a fork in a bowl. Whenever I change out their food or water, there is normally a small delay before they will come back over to the area, but not when I start spreading out the egg! It's all I can do to keep from pouring it on them!

Good deal! Make sure they have grit on board if they don't already. And ya, rolled edges can be an issue, for sure.

Yes, I have been sprinkling chick grit on their food sometimes, some sprinkled around the floor, some in a dish by itself, and then they have a pan of dirt as well.

Last night I added a panel to their brooder, to make it go from a 4x4 to a 4x6. They like the additional room, but boy did it cause some chest bumping. I guess it was like new territory. It may be wrong, but I LOVE watching their little dominance fights. (It never gets violent - just some flapping at each other, maybe a chest bump, lots of hopping, and some staring.)

 

[Tikkijane]

Yes, when I was keeping water above the food, it was fine to use that container, but when I started letting it get drier, instead of running back down the sides, it stuck on there like mortar.  I do not like the looks of my small bucket, but it is functioning better right now.  They go nuts for the egg and even recognize the sound it makes when I mash it up with a fork in a bowl.  Whenever I change out their food or water, there is normally a small delay before they will come back over to the area, but not when I start spreading out the egg!  It's all I can do to keep from pouring it on them!


Yes, I have been sprinkling chick grit on their food sometimes, some sprinkled around the floor, some in a dish by itself, and then they have a pan of dirt as well.

Last night I added a panel to their brooder, to make it go from a 4x4 to a 4x6.  They like the additional room, but boy did it cause some chest bumping.  I guess it was like new territory.  It may be wrong, but I LOVE watching their little dominance fights.  (It never gets violent - just some flapping at each other, maybe a chest bump, lots of hopping, and some staring.)

I like to offer it free choice- that way, they can decide what to take. I'm sure having some hen rumbles lately!

 

[aatx]

I like to offer it free choice- that way, they can decide what to take. I'm sure having some hen rumbles lately!

Yes, I was hoping by having it three different ways, they would all have easy access to it when they wanted it.

I have a buff orp bantam that just decided it wanted to be boss and is now challenging the others. It plays dirty and bites though. Half the size but twice the attitude!

 

[birdlady79]

I started using this new food, and my chickens like it dry or FF but it does not have the same consistancy as Nutrena.... It's crumbly if not enough water and watery if I add water.... It seperates during day and makes the biggest mess.....it smells funny too when the scoby forms in too... I stopped putting it in coop at night bc it makes such a mess....hopefully this will be the last bag of chick starter I have to buy... Any suggestions on layer food to FF that has a peanut butter consistency and doesn't crumble?

 

[beverly evans]

Quote: Wrong? H*** no; that's what we call "chicken TV".