FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[nevergiveup]

I actually don't use DE.    Interested to hear what others think about it.  

still getting used to this technology .... See my comments above re DE and FF.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I actually don't use DE. Interested to hear what others think about it.

Jut for the building not in feed here.

My concern with fish anything is passing the taste on. Had a friend feed the omega-3 feed which came from fish oil and her eggs tasted so badly fishy they couldn't eat them. Gross....

The only time I add fishmeal is for chicks or molting birds and they won't be laying eggs. If layers get some, it's less than 5% which won't add flavor according to a poultry nutritionist we spoke to.

...
This grit thing is turning out to be quite a puzzle for me. I'm not home at the moment so I can't do any local research, but the Internet searches I am doing come up blank. Can I use builders gravel/sand do you think ? We have one here that is sand and gravel mixed called recia. You mention your Chickies are eating your driveway... it kind of indicates to me that, that builders 'recia' might be OK.....at least until I can do more research.

There are only 2 things to consider with grit. It needs to be insoluble (as opposed to oyster shell that's soluble) and the size has to be appropriate for the size of the bird.
Small enough to pass through the esophagus but large enough to get lodged in the gizzard. Even insoluble flint or granite will eventually dissolve in the acidic environment which is why it needs to be replenished from time to time.
I'm actually surprised by how much they eat. Sharp edged helps too rather than rounded stones.

This is a quote from 'Scratch and Peck's' web site.

"Grit is necessary for the healthy development of a chicken’s gizzard. The gizzard aids in digestion, and allows for maximum nutrient benefit from whole grain feeds. Grit comes in different sizes for different birds depending on size and age.
Made up of insoluble crushed rock, grit remains in the bird’s gizzard to help with digestion. Grit is an essential part of your bird’s diet and should always be provided, especially if there is no access to small, sharp rocks (like a gravel driveway)."

The building supply should be able to provide something based on the following sizes.
#1 (1/16”) 1.5 mm, day 1 - 3 weeks
#2 (3/16”) 0.5 cm, 3-8 weeks
#3 (5/16”) 0.8 cm, over 8 weeks

I have read that once the diatomaceous earth is 'coated' with water it becomes ineffective, so mixing in with fermenting feed might be a waste of time. Although I have no experience is does make sense as its the prickly bits on the grains that cut into the exoskeleton s of the bugs. I also had some thoughts re the bigger bugs that I am hoping my chickens will forage......they'll be killed too if I use it as a mite preventative, for example??. And what about the helpful bugs ie bees, ladybirds. We dont have enough of them. I certainly dont want to kill them.nHaving said that, it is recommended for keeping various critters from eating your chicken food or anything dry you might be storing for yourself. Just mix it in. It is harmless to us and the chicken. And if I do get a mite nfestation I will sprinkle it on the chickens or into nooks and crannies in the chicken shed.

My thoughts as well. I only sprinkle it around the coop, on roosts and nests after I do a cleaning, especially in nooks and crannies, cracks and crevices.

 

[subhanalah]

Perhaps if some surfacant like Basic H were added to the DE, breaking the surface tension, it may work for internal worming? Though...I've read people use JUST the Basic H for this purpose...haven't tried it, but I am curious about it.

 

[nevergiveup]

Jut for the building not in feed here.

The only time I add fishmeal is for chicks or molting birds and they won't be laying eggs. If layers get some, it's less than 5% which won't add flavor according to a poultry nutritionist we spoke to.

There are only 2 things to consider with grit. It needs to be insoluble (as opposed to oyster shell that's soluble) and the size has to be appropriate for the size of the bird.
Small enough to pass through the esophagus but large enough to get lodged in the gizzard. Even insoluble flint or granite will eventually dissolve in the acidic environment which is why it needs to be replenished from time to time.
I'm actually surprised by how much they eat. Sharp edged helps too rather than rounded stones.

This is a quote from 'Scratch and Peck's' web site.



"Grit is necessary for the healthy development of a chicken’s gizzard. The gizzard aids in digestion, and allows for maximum nutrient benefit from whole grain feeds. Grit comes in different sizes for different birds depending on size and age.


Made up of insoluble crushed rock, grit remains in the bird’s gizzard to help with digestion. Grit is an essential part of your bird’s diet and should always be provided, especially if there is no access to small, sharp rocks (like a gravel driveway)."

The building supply should be able to provide something based on the following sizes.
#1 (1/16”) 1.5 mm,  day 1 - 3 weeks
#2 (3/16”) 0.5 cm,  3-8 weeks
#3 (5/16”) 0.8 cm,   over 8 weeks

My thoughts as well. I only sprinkle it around the coop, on roosts and nests after I do a cleaning, especially in nooks and crannies, cracks and crevices.

Ever so helpful, chicken canoe.....thanks very much !

 

[kpgoldstar]

You know, Tikkijane, I had forgotten about Bee one-bucket cooler. I probably should be using that down here in La. I think I will give it a try. Sold my first ever chicken today. New layer Delaware for $15. Win-win Everybody happy. The buyer was so excited about how healthy the girls are looking. Fermented feed from day 1.

Congrats on the chicken sale! I use the one-bucket method but I keep mine in the house. It is WAY too hot where I live to think about leaving it outside. Does anyone ever hear from Bee? She sure is missed on this thread

 

[kpgoldstar]

Found out my organic Scratch n Peck has a 20% soy free Layer feed so i got that and am fermenting it. (this is also a fish protein based feed instead of soy)

They're still not crazy over it, been about 5 days but that's what they're getting, they're starting to look a little ratty! Feathers everywhere so they must be molting...

Some fish based feeds can impart a horrid smell when fermented. I mean really, really bad like vomit so just beware. My juveniles went through a couple of molts too before they grew up. Feathers EVERYWHERE!

 

[kpgoldstar]

My thoughts as well. I only sprinkle it around the coop, on roosts and nests after I do a cleaning, especially in nooks and crannies, cracks and crevices.

I do the same.

 

[LindaB220]

Way to go! Will the buyer continue to ferment?

I'm up to 2 68 qt coolers {or are they 62 qt?? I'd have to go look} now. I may have to get another one when this batch of keets is ready for FF full time. {I do give them dry food at night because as littles, it wasn't safe for them unsupervised....} We'll see.

Funny you should ask. I just found her this morning on a fermented feed thread.

Yeah, babies gotta have dry also, just in case..

 

[subhanalah]

Oh, she's been around, posting, but not under that name.

 

[ReillyJ]

Some fish based feeds can impart a horrid smell when fermented. I mean really, really bad like vomit so just beware. My juveniles went through a couple of molts too before they grew up. Feathers EVERYWHERE!

Hmmm, no icky smell here, just smells sour!

Anyone still have chickens that will eat it but are kind of MEH about it even after being on it awhile? I'm not going back unless they look like they're really losing vitality or something but good grief you bratty picky birds!

They DO like the organic moistened so the fines stick to the grains but still..i am not sure they are getting all the nutrition that way as i don't know if they consume all the fines.

EDIT:

Is it alright for FF to be very dry? Instead of grinding the fines/grains together this time, i just mixed up some of the 20% protein Layer feed into the FF and mixed well (i stir at least twice a day) and it's dry and crumbly like oatmeal cookie dough, they LIKE IT A LOT better, just wondering about enough water dispersing the "SCOBY" so to speak..but if they like it this way???