FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[Bridebeliever]

Do chickens hardly eat any feed when they free range? Mine are outside from 8am-7pm and I can't remember the last time I filled their food! They do have feed available to them in their coop and I know they eat a little of it when they wake up but that's about it! Egg production is not really fine and I see them throughout the day with full crops so I was just wondering. They were eating machines during the winter so I wasn't expecting this!

 

[Molpet]

Do chickens hardly eat any feed when they free range? Mine are outside from 8am-7pm and I can't remember the last time I filled their food! They do have feed available to them in their coop and I know they eat a little of it when they wake up but that's about it! Egg production is fine and I see them throughout the day with full crops so I was just wondering. They were eating machines during the winter so I wasn't expecting this!

if there is enough for them to find, they will... my ground is still cold so not many bugs or weeds right now..it was 25 last night

 

[Bridebeliever]

if there is enough for them to find, they will... my ground is still cold so not many bugs or weeds right now..it was 25 last night

Yes, our temps are around 38 at night and 55-65 during the day. The robins are back, worms are plentiful and grass and weeds have begun to grow. I just didn't think they would choose so much to "live off the land" as they have. Their egg yolks have gotten exceptionally dark and rich. I guess I will save fermented feed for fall and winter.

 

[Tikkijane]

Do chickens hardly eat any feed when they free range? Mine are outside from 8am-7pm and I can't remember the last time I filled their food! They do have feed available to them in their coop and I know they eat a little of it when they wake up but that's about it! Egg production is fine and I see them throughout the day with full crops so I was just wondering. They were eating machines during the winter so I wasn't expecting this!

Mine do. Fwiw.

 

[Tikkijane]

Yes, our temps are around 38 at night and 55-65 during the day. The robins are back, worms are plentiful and grass and weeds have begun to grow. I just didn't think they would choose so much to "live off the land" as they have. Their egg yolks have gotten exceptionally dark and rich. I guess I will save fermented feed for fall and winter.

Consumption varies, of course, but I feed FF year round.

 

[Beekissed]

Consumption varies, of course, but I feed FF year round.

Me too! Even if I get down to just giving a cup and a half of feed for the entire flock, they get the FF. Hey, Tikki....did you know they are calling the one bucket FF method the TikkTok method now?

You have become an FF guru, officially.

 

[Tikkijane]

Me too!  Even if I get down to just giving a cup and a half of feed for the entire flock, they get the FF.    Hey, Tikki....did you know they are calling the one bucket FF method the TikkTok method now?     You have become an FF guru, officially.   

That just makes me laugh! They really ought to call it "Bee's Fault"

or "I'm Lazy " or the "BYC" method. Really, it was such a collective effort. I just wanted to stop having to answer all the same questions over and over.

But ya. I still feed twice a day. Some don't stick around for it in the morning {places to go and bugs to find!}, but usually everyone grabs a few mouthfuls in the evening before bed. It's a good way for me to count heads and observe; just to have an eye on everyone.

 

[Beekissed]

That just makes me laugh! They really ought to call it "Bee's Fault"

or "I'm Lazy " or the "BYC" method. Really, it was such a collective effort. I just wanted to stop having to answer all the same questions over and over.

But ya. I still feed twice a day. Some don't stick around for it in the morning {places to go and bugs to find!}, but usually everyone grabs a few mouthfuls in the evening before bed. It's a good way for me to count heads and observe; just to have an eye on everyone.

You deserve some kind of medal for all you've done for the method, so I'm well satisfied with the TikkTok Method....it even has a cute ring to it! I refer any and all questions on BYC and even outside of BYC to your site, as it has the most accurate and comprehensive explanation of the method of anywhere on the net. For that, I thank you sooooooo much!!! You've saved me tons of typing and frustration, so you are most decidedly NOT the lazy one here. You are an FF hero!!!!

 

[Molpet]

You deserve some kind of medal for all you've done for the method, so I'm well satisfied with the TikkTok Method....it even has a cute ring to it! I refer any and all questions on BYC and even outside of BYC to your site, as it has the most accurate and comprehensive explanation of the method of anywhere on the net. For that, I thank you sooooooo much!!! You've saved me tons of typing and frustration, so you are most decidedly NOT the lazy one here. You are an FF hero!!!!

So true ...when I first read about FF I thought " I do not want to mess with 2 buckets and straining " .. but when I read this thread and the one bucket method I thought that was not so bad... and to have it all in one doc and not wade through the whole thread , well it is wonderful to give to people. .. I have shared it in so many FB groups

 

[lazy gardener]

K, I finally read it. Still convinced it's the best way to feed a flock. I will go on to add my testimonial: My FF fed girls lay sooner and better than those of my neighbors and friends who have birds of the same age, from the same source!