FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[evemfoster]

Okay, maybe a silly question!

I feed twice a day since I do FF. But pretty soon, it'll start getting dark before I get home from work. What do you all do in these situations?

I would give a larger feeding in the morning. When my chickens were still growing I had FF on had all day long and they did just fine.

 

[SavageDestiny]

I would give a larger feeding in the morning. When my chickens were still growing I had FF on had all day long and they did just fine.

I'd have to give them a double serving to cover their morning and evening amounts, and there's no way they could eat all that in one go. At least not without exploding their crops. If it's cold enough I'd also worry about the feed freezing since it's wet and they couldn't eat it all.

 

[GerbilsOnToast]

Okay, maybe a silly question!

I feed twice a day since I do FF. But pretty soon, it'll start getting dark before I get home from work. What do you all do in these situations?

My evening feeding is always after dark, because I want them out there eating bugs until the last minute, and that's where it fits into the chore rotation. They start hopping down as soon as the big outside door opens - by the time I get the feed out & to their apartment, they're climbing over each other at the feeder. The hens will quit eating when the food level gets low, (there's indirect light at that time - and their crops are already pretty full) and go back on the roosts, the capons (who sleep on the floor anyway) will stay with it until it's empty, light or no light!

 

[evemfoster]

I'd have to give them a double serving to cover their morning and evening amounts, and there's no way they could eat all that in one go. At least not without exploding their crops. If it's cold enough I'd also worry about the feed freezing since it's wet and they couldn't eat it all.

The chickens stop eating when they are full.

I have found when i divide the feed into morning and evening feedings they try to gobble it all down in one setting because they know it will run out soon. When they have a big bowlful a full days worth in the morning at all times they eat a bit and wander off to free range. Then come back later to eat a little more 3-4 times a day.

Its not uncommon for flock to walk past the feed and only one or two hens come over for a few bites before following the rest of the flock. When i divide the feed up into two feeding they get the same amount in the day but seem to fight over it more. When i give a full days feeding in the morning there is usually a little bit left in the dish at night and i bring the dish in for refilling and to keep the food away from pests. But, some days they have polished it off and other days the free ranging was extra good and half of it is still in the bowl. I've stopped worrying about it and just top off the bowl in the morning.

I been thinking of getting them a heated dog bowl for the icy weather.

 

[Rainier]

The chickens stop eating when they are full.

I have found when i divide the feed into morning and evening feedings they try to gobble it all down in one setting because they know it will run out soon. When they have a big bowlful a full days worth in the morning at all times they eat a bit and wander off to free range. Then come back later to eat a little more 3-4 times a day.

Its not uncommon for flock to walk past the feed and only one or two hens come over for a few bites before following the rest of the flock. When i divide the feed up into two feeding they get the same amount in the day but seem to fight over it more. When i give a full days feeding in the morning there is usually a little bit left in the dish at night and i bring the dish in for refilling and to keep the food away from pests. But, some days they have polished it off and other days the free ranging was extra good and half of it is still in the bowl. I've stopped worrying about it and just top off the bowl in the morning.

I been thinking of getting them a heated dog bowl for the icy weather.

I do the same thing. When they first come out of the coop everyone heads for water then a bite to eat. They head out to forge through the area they have to free range in. They come back to the food several times through out the day and then fill up before heading to bed.

 

[Meeka3]

I do the same with mine, I leave a couple of bowls out all day, but I've been a bit worried about it going rancid and have been throwing a lot out each night. I won't throw it out anymore if your chooks have been ok with just topping it up, I'll do the same. I have a couple of bowls so the timid chooks at the bottom of the pecking order have somewhere to feed without harassment. I do top up a little bit through the day because it tends to dry up a bit, I'm forever moving it to chase the shade.

 

[Rainier]

I do the same with mine, I leave a couple of bowls out all day, but I've been a bit worried about it going rancid and have been throwing a lot out each night. I won't throw it out anymore if your chooks have been ok with just topping it up, I'll do the same. I have a couple of bowls so the timid chooks at the bottom of the pecking order have somewhere to feed without harassment. I do top up a little bit through the day because it tends to dry up a bit, I'm forever moving it to chase the shade.

I don't know about it going bad if left out but it makes sense to me that it would be fine.I've got mine pretty much figured out so have very little left over from the previous day. I currently rinse out the feeders every morning before refilling them.

 

[evemfoster]

I do the same with mine, I leave a couple of bowls out all day, but I've been a bit worried about it going rancid and have been throwing a lot out each night. I won't throw it out anymore if your chooks have been ok with just topping it up, I'll do the same. I have a couple of bowls so the timid chooks at the bottom of the pecking order have somewhere to feed without harassment. I do top up a little bit through the day because it tends to dry up a bit, I'm forever moving it to chase the shade.

When mine gets a bit dry i just add a little water and stir. The hens think its new fresh food when i stir it up and come gobble it like they were starving.

 

[ReillyJ]

Geez i wish mine acted like they love it but i think they eat it ok, i think it would be better if it was pellets fermented instead of organic seeds and fines as the seeds stay intact but it seems they are eating it ok

Been feeding FF for almost 3 weeks and honestly don't see a jump in health or esp body weight or glossy feathers, i think they've been going through a mild molt though.

Also, anyone weigh in but i think i may need a bigger bucket for FF. I have 4 hens and i do it now in a plastic rectangle bin and i have to add new feed about every 3 days which i think is too soon? Probably be better if it was larger and once a week so it ferments well??

Also i have never seen white or brown stuff or bubbles or ANYTHING like that..i stir well at least twice daily and keep it covered w/newspaper, all i can tell if it's fermented is it has a sour smell to it. Probably going to get an actual bucket today and try things like that.

Also it seems like they like it on the drier side, like dry oatmeal cookie dough, hope that's ok

Wish i could see a "beautifying" in my hens like everyone else seems to and especially wish they would go nuts over it like everyone else seems to experience But they do eat it..... (they also free range and get worms and BOSS)

 

[kpgoldstar]

Geez i wish mine acted like they love it but i think they eat it ok, i think it would be better if it was pellets fermented instead of organic seeds and fines as the seeds stay intact but it seems they are eating it ok

Been feeding FF for almost 3 weeks and honestly don't see a jump in health or esp body weight or glossy feathers, i think they've been going through a mild molt though.

Also, anyone weigh in but i think i may need a bigger bucket for FF. I have 4 hens and i do it now in a plastic rectangle bin and i have to add new feed about every 3 days which i think is too soon? Probably be better if it was larger and once a week so it ferments well??

Also i have never seen white or brown stuff or bubbles or ANYTHING like that..i stir well at least twice daily and keep it covered w/newspaper, all i can tell if it's fermented is it has a sour smell to it. Probably going to get an actual bucket today and try things like that.

Also it seems like they like it on the drier side, like dry oatmeal cookie dough, hope that's ok

Wish i could see a "beautifying" in my hens like everyone else seems to and especially wish they would go nuts over it like everyone else seems to experience But they do eat it..... (they also free range and get worms and BOSS)

I have 4 hens and use a 2 gallon bucket. I refresh about every 4-5 days. The drier consistency is fine, but you may not be getting a full ferment with the smaller bucket. Be sure there is a good amount left in the bucket when you add new food and water so that the already fermented feed has a chance to innoculate the addition. Mine is really dry and I get a very slight white film over the top but I also live where it is very warm and I keep mine in the house with a lid that snaps on but still allows it to breathe. The first noticeable change should be much more firm, solid poos and a drastic reduction in poo smell. They will still have the cecal (black, yucky, runny) poos on occasion but far less often than when fed dry.

I also mix BOSS right into my FF and darn if those little buggers can pick every single one out before chowing down on the rest of the food!