FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[ak rain]

I don't add to water. It's enough of a fight to keep in bowl w ducks and keep unfrozen.
Ak

 

[cjwaldon]

I was wondering about fermenting alfalfa pellets...Can it be done? Can they be mixed in with my fermenting layer feed? Are the benefits the same as fermenting regular food, ie is it worth the effort?
I have search the forums for information but didn't find any detailed info, just people who said they have done it. I did not have the patience to read through the huge fermenting threads that also came up in my search. Any info is very appreciated.
@Beekissed As the fermenting guru, any thoughts?

Yes, I add alfalfa pellets to every bucket.

 

[ak rain]

I have old sprout seeds I've sprouted and sprinkles on ff they seem to enjoy the little extra greenery

 

[Honey B]

@cjwaldon

Thank you! Any recommendations on percentage in relation to layer feed?

 

[cjwaldon]

@cjwaldon

Thank you! Any recommendations on percentage in relation to layer feed?

Mine are getting approximately 3 1/2% (dry measurement before fermenting) of their rations is alfalfa. My Cemanis don't like it and I often find the alfalfa left behind in their food troughs. I don't know how they do that when it's all fermented together. All the other birds suck it up though.

 

[Honey B]

@cjwaldon

Thank you again. I started fermenting my chicken feed three days ago. I am finally seeing bubbles and am excited to serve it up for the girls. I will be adding alfalfa to the next batch using your recommendations. I can't get the girls to eat the dry alfalfa pellets but hopefully when they're mixed in with the feed and fermented the chickens will gobble them up.

 

[elizmartin]

Great thread, posting to add to my watch list…..

 

[MamaRudey]

OK all you FF, I need some assistance. I am getting new chicks, can I ferment there chick feed and if so I have read so many conflicting ways, do I use Braggs and feed in a day or just water and wait 4?! Also, can I ferment alfalfa pellets, would it essentially be like Chaffhaye? Anyone? I feed a grain, alfalfa pellets, and some BOSS to my girls when they are older. Can I ferment that? I read the first dozen pages and skimmed several more but am still a little befuddled. LoL

 

[Honey B]

I am really new to fermentation but I am happy to share what I know...I can't give any advice on the chick feed, but I do know you can ferment the grains, alfalfa pellets, and BOSS. I started my fermenting process without ACV, it took three day for bubbles to start appearing. Make sure to use dechlorinated water to start the process. I used tap water but I let it sit in an open container for 24 hours so the chlorine would evaporate out. My girls really love the fermented food and I am hopping to see a difference in egg quality in a few weeks. Hope it goes well for you!
@MamaRudey

 

[MamaRudey]

Awe

I am really new to fermentation but I am happy to share what I know...I can't give any advice on the chick feed, but I do know you can ferment the grains, alfalfa pellets, and BOSS. I started my fermenting process without ACV, it took three day for bubbles to start appearing. Make sure to use dechlorinated water to start the process. I used tap water but I let it sit in an open container for 24 hours so the chlorine would evaporate out. My girls really love the fermented food and I am hopping to see a difference in egg quality in a few weeks. Hope it goes well for you!
@MamaRudey

Awesome. Thanks. I will try fermenting the chick feed! If anything I only wasted a bit of it.