FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[wonkyflock14]

I tried my hand at fermenting some feed for my flock, not sure I did it right. For starters, I don't think the water was enough for the food I put in. It sure smells and when I stir it, bubbles come up to the top. I might toss it and try again, I want to make sure I do it right and don't make anyone sick.

I owe you guys many thanks for helping me through being a first time chicken mom. I look forward to learning more and hopefully being able to contribute as my knowledge and experience grows.

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

STAFF NOTE​

The internet is full of misinformation. We make no effort to correct this; that would be quite impossible. When members cause problems in trying, the problem is not that they are disagreeing, it is with the tone of their disagreement.

Simply put, just be courteous about it. It's the difference between "Sorry, I disagree; this is my experience/what research shows," instead of, "you are a stupid fool, to think that is a fact."

Trolling is not stating misinformation. It is posting in a manner to start an argument, stir the pot, stir up emotions. When encountering a troll, the only sensible response is almost always no response, as trolls tend to go away quickly if they can't stir up an argument. If you feel it is necessary to correct one, just do so in a matter-of-fact tone, and walk away. Also, consider blocking the member.

Thank you for explaining BYC's policy on helping publish & defend misinformation here at BYC.

 

[kpgoldstar]

I tried my hand at fermenting some feed for my flock, not sure I did it right. For starters, I don't think the water was enough for the food I put in. It sure smells and when I stir it, bubbles come up to the top. I might toss it and try again, I want to make sure I do it right and don't make anyone sick.

I owe you guys many thanks for helping me through being a first time chicken mom. I look forward to learning more and hopefully being able to contribute as my knowledge and experience grows.

Why would you toss it? It sounds like you did it right. If it smells sour like pickles or sourdough bread then there is nothing wrong with it. It is supposed to have bubbles. Can you take a picture of it? How many days since you started it? Some feeds smell more than others especially if they contain fish meal.

On a first batch you want it fairly moist. If you think it's too dry then just add a little more water. As you go along you may want to keep a drier consistency. Mine is like grout. Keep us posted!

 

[wonkyflock14]

Why would you toss it? It sounds like you did it right. If it smells sour like pickles or sourdough bread then there is nothing wrong with it. It is supposed to have bubbles. Can you take a picture of it? How many days since you started it? Some feeds smell more than others especially if they contain fish meal.

On a first batch you want it fairly moist. If you think it's too dry then just add a little more water. As you go along you may want to keep a drier consistency. Mine is like grout. Keep us posted!

This is what I'm working with and today is day 3. And I reckon it has a bit of a sourdough smell, although I like sourdough bread but would NEVER consider eating this! lol.

 

[evemfoster]

It looks good to me, just a little wetter than the feed i use. My chickens love to be able to pull off chunks and wolf them down.

Try it on your chickens they will love it.

 

[kpgoldstar]

It looks perfectly fine! 3 days is just about right for good fermentation. I would say go ahead and feed. You may want to use a strainer to let the excess water drain back into the bucket. What you feed out should be like stiff cooked oatmeal. You can add more feed and water every time you scoop out or depending on how many birds you have you can wait until you have a small amount left in the bucket and fill it again all at once. I do the latter so I am only messing with it about every 4-5 days.

 

[wonkyflock14]

Thanks guys! I'll try it tonight or tomorrow morning (depending on weather) and see how they like it.

 

[subhanalah]

This is what I'm working with and today is day 3. And I reckon it has a bit of a sourdough smell, although I like sourdough bread but would NEVER consider eating this! lol.

I keep mine even drier. To the point you can make little balls of it and they stick together and don't "melt"

 

[Angiebubs]

I keep mine a lot more liquidy...like apple sauce. Any reason why it should be thicker? I felt like during the summer, it helps provide more water to them too.

eta: I have been raising chickens for 4 yrs (parrots for a few yrs prior) and only started FF 2 years ago.

 

[subhanalah]

I keep mine a lot more liquidy...like apple sauce. Any reason why it should be thicker? I felt like during the summer, it helps provide more water to them too.

eta: I have been raising chickens for 4 yrs (parrots for a few yrs prior) and only started FF 2 years ago.

my birds stay messy if their food is too sloppy lol. This way my feather footed chickens don't get it matted in their feathers and nine of them get food balls on their claws from scratching in it.