1) it DOES NOT need to be covered by water. 2) ferment is better if ypu don't continually refresh as you go. If you wait until you gave a single serving left and then backslop and refresh at night, if your initial ferment was good, it will be ready in the morning.
- [COLOR=333333]
- Anyone doing it? Yes [/COLOR] [COLOR=333333]
- How long have you been doing it? One month, which is how long I've had my chicks. I have 6 hen chicks, each one is a different breed. [/COLOR] [COLOR=333333]
- Your methods? I tried a 2 quart mason jar, but it was too hard to spoon out the feed. Each time I took feed out, I added a similar amount of new feed in to ferment. But when I took out the next scoop it hadn't been in there the full 36 hours to ferment. So, now I use several 24 or 32 ounce mason jars. Each day I empty a jar between the morning and afternoon feeding, and then use the liquid as the starter for the next batch by adding more dry feed enough filtered water to ensure the feed has an inch or more water on top. I have 4 or 5 jars "brewing" at any time. I put a small amount of Probiotic Electrolyte and Lactobacillus powder (I bought it at Tractor Supply) into the jars to start them with the right bacteria. You definitely don't want to use pickle juice, or yeast as they are the wrong type bacteria. I periodically add too much feed and have to take some back out of the jar once it expands. It is vital to keep all the feed submerged so it ferments and doesn't go rancid. [/COLOR] [COLOR=333333]
- Grains/feeds used in this manner? I started with the Chick Starter Feed that I purchased. This fermented nicely and the chicks made the transition quickly. Now I use a variety of grains: oats, barley, wheat berries, bran, flax seeds, wheat germ, sunflower seeds that I buy at the local health food store (I buy organic if the price is acceptable). I try to keep the protein level high enough to ensure good growth. I've also tossed in crushed eggshells, diced vegetable scraps (peppers, spinach, etc) as well as small amounts of home made cooked beans and other food scraps. I read that you can ferment whole hard boiled eggs but I haven't tried that yet. I supplement them with grass clippings, chickweed, and marigold leaves and flowers. I think my girls are a bit spoiled. [/COLOR] [COLOR=333333]
- Your overall review of this method of feeding? I have 6 chicks and they are all thriving. My neighbor has 5 Buff Orpingtons that are about 5 months old now. He complains about the volume, smell and wetness of the poop in his pen, and how much food his girls waste. My chicks' poop is dryer, more formed and a more tolerable smell and volume. I'm pretty sure it's because of the fermented feed. The chicks attack the bowl in the morning even though they've already had access to a small amount of dry feed in their coop. Their feathers are shiny and well oiled. The photo shows them attacking their fermented breakfast. [/COLOR] [COLOR=333333]
- The only thing they like more than the fermented feed is when I dig up any kind of worm or grub from the compost heap. That's like feeding them "crack". [/COLOR]
- [COLOR=333333]
[/COLOR]
- [COLOR=333333]
- Anyone doing it? Yes [/COLOR] [COLOR=333333]
- How long have you been doing it? One month, which is how long I've had my chicks. I have 6 hen chicks, each one is a different breed. [/COLOR] [COLOR=333333]
- Your methods? I tried a 2 quart mason jar, but it was too hard to spoon out the feed. Each time I took feed out, I added a similar amount of new feed in to ferment. But when I took out the next scoop it hadn't been in there the full 36 hours to ferment. So, now I use several 24 or 32 ounce mason jars. Each day I empty a jar between the morning and afternoon feeding, and then use the liquid as the starter for the next batch by adding more dry feed enough filtered water to ensure the feed has an inch or more water on top. I have 4 or 5 jars "brewing" at any time. I put a small amount of Probiotic Electrolyte and Lactobacillus powder (I bought it at Tractor Supply) into the jars to start them with the right bacteria. You definitely don't want to use pickle juice, or yeast as they are the wrong type bacteria. I periodically add too much feed and have to take some back out of the jar once it expands. It is vital to keep all the feed submerged so it ferments and doesn't go rancid. [/COLOR] [COLOR=333333]
- Grains/feeds used in this manner? I started with the Chick Starter Feed that I purchased. This fermented nicely and the chicks made the transition quickly. Now I use a variety of grains: oats, barley, wheat berries, bran, flax seeds, wheat germ, sunflower seeds that I buy at the local health food store (I buy organic if the price is acceptable). I try to keep the protein level high enough to ensure good growth. I've also tossed in crushed eggshells, diced vegetable scraps (peppers, spinach, etc) as well as small amounts of home made cooked beans and other food scraps. I read that you can ferment whole hard boiled eggs but I haven't tried that yet. I supplement them with grass clippings, chickweed, and marigold leaves and flowers. I think my girls are a bit spoiled. [/COLOR] [COLOR=333333]
- Your overall review of this method of feeding? I have 6 chicks and they are all thriving. My neighbor has 5 Buff Orpingtons that are about 5 months old now. He complains about the volume, smell and wetness of the poop in his pen, and how much food his girls waste. My chicks' poop is dryer, more formed and a more tolerable smell and volume. I'm pretty sure it's because of the fermented feed. The chicks attack the bowl in the morning even though they've already had access to a small amount of dry feed in their coop. Their feathers are shiny and well oiled. The photo shows them attacking their fermented breakfast. [/COLOR] [COLOR=333333]
- The only thing they like more than the fermented feed is when I dig up any kind of worm or grub from the compost heap. That's like feeding them "crack". [/COLOR]
- [COLOR=333333]
