FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[Percheron chick]

I'm sceptical that a fish tank heater will heat fermented sludge. Did you look at heated flatback buckets (5 gal)? Either way, I would make an insulated box with lid to put it in.

 

[lazy gardener]

What is that fish tank heater made of? Glass? Or metal? If metal, the metal will leach out into the feed. I fear that there would be excess heat around the heater, and it wouldn't dissipate through the mix very well, leading to an unsafe situation. Then, again... it just might work. Glad you're trying it and not me, though!

 

[Leigti]

I personally would not use the fish tank heater. For one thing they are metal. At least the ones I've had have been. And I don't think they would keep anything but what is directly touching them warm. A 5 gallon bucket is large enough to feed a lot of chickens. It doesn't take up much room.

 

[knjinnm]

I agree a 350W aquarium heater will end up with baked FF on it then over heat and burn out. The thermostat should work for another plug-in heat source such as light bulb in an insulated box.

 

[dolfi]

I was just wondering., I use two five gallon buckets for my ff. This way one is fermenting and the other is fermented. My question is how much feed is enough. I have 11 adult birds and about 30 two four months old chicks. After feeding all I normally use a 3/4 of the 5 gallons. Am I over feeding?

 

[Percheron chick]

If they are cleaning it up, no. You should be going through about 8-10# dry feed a day.

 

[aart]

If they are cleaning it up, no. You should be going through about 8-10# dry feed a day.

Would that be wet weight or dry weight?

 

[Beekissed]

I was just wondering., I use two five gallon buckets for my ff. This way one is fermenting and the other is fermented. My question is how much feed is enough. I have 11 adult birds and about 30 two four months old chicks. After feeding all I normally use a 3/4 of the 5 gallons. Am I over feeding?

I used to use that much to feed 54 meat birds and they eat considerably more than regular birds, so it may be a bit much....are they cleaning it up fully each day or are you having some left behind each day?

 

[dolfi]

I used to use that much to feed 54 meat birds and they eat considerably more than regular birds, so it may be a bit much....are they cleaning it up fully each day or are you having some left behind each day? 

No they eat it all up. It takes all day but I check my babies every night and it's all gone. My concern is that I might be over feeding. They usually have a big ball on neck

 

[Leigti]

I was just wondering., I use two five gallon buckets for my ff. This way one is fermenting and the other is fermented. My question is how much feed is enough. I have 11 adult birds and about 30 two four months old chicks. After feeding all I normally use a 3/4 of the 5 gallons. Am I over feeding?

I use the one container method and it seems to ferments overnight. I wonder if it would still ferment overnight when you're doing that much at a time. Does anybody know?