FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[evemfoster]

I hadn't considered that. To be honest I didn't know that I'd have to feed dry over the winter although "winter" down here in south Texas really isn't cold.

Thanks for the help!
RichnSteph

I know that a lot of the people who feed FF just keep feeding it through the winter. I decided to feed dry because it gets so cold here. January through February the daily high is usully around 20 below. I just didn't want to be thawing out blocks of FF a few times a day.

 

[ReillyJ]

Mine are getting a bit MEH on it, also. Not eating as much of it. I've also begun feeding a dry organic pellet that they LOVE, in addition because of a conversation on another thread about the possibility of my feed being less than ideal for my hens (Scratch n Peck organic Layer feed-no soy no corn) so i added an organic layer pellet with both soy and corn to ensure that they are getting enough of everything they need.

IDK if it's because i installed new feeding trays that they cannot tip over and smoosh the FF all over the ground or what (they seem to eat out of it) but their consumption of FF has slowed down. i won't take away the pellets though.

 

[Meeka3]

My chooks ( except 2 ) just stopped eating their mushy FF, so I just threw out a whole bucket full and have decided to just concentrate on fermenting seed which they still love. I still ferment the finisher crumbles for my babies which I mix with some seed and they love it. They all have full access to their dry food all day, so they are still getting those vitamins as well. I was reading a different web site on FF for chooks and this lady puts all types of food with her seeds, so I have started to put pecan nuts, eggshells for calcium, grass for the babies who can't get out yet, and I'm going to get some extra oats.

 

[kada6305]

when I let them out today only half of the FF was ate and after the ducks left the chickens attacked the FF. So I am thinking the ducks aren't letting them eat any at night. But the Ducks are getting their own coop starting tonight or tomorrow night so that will stop. The FF it a HUGE hit with everyone. Everytime I go outside they think I have to refull their FF bowl. I just use a medium dog bowl. and it seems to work. I put the FF ontop of the chicks feed the past 2 feedings and they have been eating it. So happy we started the FF

 

[LindaB220]

I am about to go back and read through this thread but it might take a few years (531 pages!!) I just started fermenting. we are on day 2, fed them some. heard it helps to get them used to it before feeding them fully fermented feed. So far the chickens and ducks love it. The chicks? not so much lol. I have them on sand and they tend to peck at the sand instead so going to put them on paper towels until they get the idea. They are 1 week old. I have 2 buckets going the bucket that is on day 2 I am using the 2 bucked straining method. The second one I am using 1 bucket with hot water, just started it like an hour ago. I have a smaller mason jar for the chicks feed and its on day 2 as well. How do I get the chicks to eat it? I am going to try the paper towels and see if they take to it. Also, how much do you feed adult chickens.ducks? I've been feeding about 4 cups a day. seems like they destroy it in the mornings but at night they let it sit. o thre the remaining away this morning and refilled with fresh. Didn't think it's be okay sitting for that long?

That was one of the hard part for new people that wanted to try this. So many pages. Tikktoc has a fact page that she has made to answer any questions you may have on the best and easiest way to do it. Sooooooo worth it.

http://tikktok.wordpress.com/2014/04/13/fermented-feed-faq/


For the chicks, I had to take away all dry food. They are okay and won't starve. Now they won't eat anything else.

 

[kada6305]

That was one of the hard part for new people that wanted to try this. So many pages. Tikktoc has a fact page that she has made to answer any questions you may have on the best and easiest way to do it. Sooooooo worth it.

http://tikktok.wordpress.com/2014/04/13/fermented-feed-faq/


For the chicks, I had to take away all dry food. They are okay and won't starve. Now they won't eat anything else.

oh thank you!!

The chicks destroy the FF now nd leave any dry food jut sit lol so they are getting 100% FF now. the Ducks are offically seperated from the chickens now so we will see how much they eat during the night. Although they think the new coop makes the perfect place to lay their eggs

if its not one thing its another lol

 

[RichnSteph]

I put out some pellets for them this afternoon and they ate those up.... and then went back to eating the FF. I swear they are so fickle. *laugh* Still love them though.

 

[kada6305]

ours will have to have dry feed next weekend when we go visit our parents unless we find someone who can do it for us. I hope they eat the dry..Well I guess they wouldn't starve themselves, right? They finish their FF them come on the porch making a fuss because they want more. So far the FF has proved to be easy to make and maintain. Moving everything down to the basement today- DH doesn't like the smell of the FF in the kitchen LOL

 

[Tikkijane]

I am about to go back and read through this thread but it might take a few years (531 pages!!) I just started fermenting. we are on day 2, fed them some. heard it helps to get them used to it before feeding them fully fermented feed. So far the chickens and ducks love it. The chicks? not so much lol. I have them on sand and they tend to peck at the sand instead so going to put them on paper towels until they get the idea. They are 1 week old. I have 2 buckets going the bucket that is on day 2 I am using the 2 bucked straining method. The second one I am using 1 bucket with hot water, just started it like an hour ago. I have a smaller mason jar for the chicks feed and its on day 2 as well. How do I get the chicks to eat it? I am going to try the paper towels and see if they take to it. Also, how much do you feed adult chickens.ducks? I've been feeding about 4 cups a day. seems like they destroy it in the mornings but at night they let it sit. o thre the remaining away this morning and refilled with fresh. Didn't think it's be okay sitting for that long?

It's better to wait until you have about a single serving left and then backslop and refresh. By constantly adding new, you can weaken the ferment.

Adults need 1/2-1 cup FF 1-2 x a day.

Sprinkle some dry on top to get the chicks started.

 

[Tikkijane]

I hadn't considered that. To be honest I didn't know that I'd have to feed dry over the winter although "winter" down here in south Texas really isn't cold.

Thanks for the help!
RichnSteph

I feed FF year round. They especially love it in the winter because it steams and is warm when they eat it {like hot cereal almost}.