FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[KiminPA]

I started my new chicks on FF day 1 and they eat it just fine but I do have dry starter in there too, is that ok?

 

[Beekissed]

I started my new chicks on FF day 1 and they eat it just fine but I do have dry starter in there too, is that ok?

It's okay, to be sure, but not sure why you'd want it there if you want to feed FF and gain the benefits thereof.

 

[KiminPA]

It's okay, to be sure, but not sure why you'd want it there if you want to feed FF and gain the benefits thereof. 

I really don't know why, I guess I just want to make sure they have plenty of food. I'm guessing if I take it out and they are hungry they will let me know? How many times a day should I freshen up the FF?

 

[Beekissed]

The FF is adequate nutrition and they shouldn't get any more hungry eating that than they would eating the dry, so you could remove it. I usually feed chicks twice a day on the FF. Contrary to popular belief, chicks don't have to have continuous feed in front of them in order to thrive, so twice a day gives them full crops several times over in that day.

 

[KiminPA]

The FF is adequate nutrition and they shouldn't get any more hungry eating that than they would eating the dry, so you could remove it.  I usually feed chicks twice a day on the FF.   Contrary to popular belief, chicks don't have to have continuous feed in front of them in order to thrive, so twice a day gives them full crops several times over in that day. 

Ok thank you

 

[Jensownzoo]

That and it doesn't really go "bad." Just the outer part may grey up and dry out a bit...stir it back up and it's like new!

 

[Siggie]

I am just starting with feeding FF and the last couple of posts answered one of my questions, I was placing two feeders in the brooder with dry feed and was only feeding the FF in the morning...I can change to twice a day with the FF and remove the dry feed but they seem to be eating the dry gone as well during the day? I just don't want them going hungry...they always act hungry!

I have 22 chicks who are 26 days old, how much FF should I be giving them at each feeding ? Maybe I am not giving them enough of the FF? I also give them fresh greens and scratch in the evenings.

My second question is I was mixing probiotics, brewers yeast and garlic powder into the dry feed mix, should I mix that into the FF or just eliminate all the extra stuff because the other food is fermented? I am very new at owning chickens and want to make sure I am not overdosing them on stuff they don't really need! THANKS!!

 

[Jensownzoo]

I am just starting with feeding FF and the last couple of posts answered one of my questions, I was placing two feeders in the brooder with dry feed and was only feeding the FF in the morning...I can change to twice a day with the FF and remove the dry feed but they seem to be eating the dry gone as well during the day?  I just don't want them going hungry...they always act hungry!

   I have 22 chicks who are 26 days old, how much FF should I be giving them at each feeding ?  Maybe I am not giving them enough of the FF?  I also give them fresh greens and scratch in the evenings.

My second question is I was mixing probiotics, brewers yeast and garlic powder into the dry feed mix, should I mix that into the FF or just eliminate all the extra stuff because the other food is fermented?  I am very new at owning chickens and want to make sure I am not overdosing them on stuff they don't really need!  THANKS!!

The fermenting process makes the feed into a probiotic, so you won't need that. Also creates B vitamins, so you can stop the brewer's yeast although it won't hurt anything. Garlic may kill the fermenting microbes, so definitely stop adding that to the feed.

When my chicks are that little, I make sure that they have FF in their bowl/trough all the time. When they get kicked out of the brooder to outside, I feed twice daily--I want enough for everyone to be able to fill up their crops in the initial onslaught with a bit leftover for them to snack on through the day (or at night to provide a morning appetizer before I get out to feed). Once they get to a size where I am comfortable with them free-ranging then they get FF in the evenings only to get them back into the pens...they'll eat any leftovers in the morning.

I have a little different situation than a lot of people in that my chickens aren't located at my house. I have to drive to a different property, so it means they don't get fed until I get out there. That's why I make sure they have a bit leftover at night to tide them over until I arrive.

 

[Siggie]

The fermenting process makes the feed into a probiotic, so you won't need that. Also creates B vitamins, so you can stop the brewer's yeast although it won't hurt anything. Garlic may kill the fermenting microbes, so definitely stop adding that to the feed.

When my chicks are that little, I make sure that they have FF in their bowl/trough all the time. When they get kicked out of the brooder to outside, I feed twice daily--I want enough for everyone to be able to fill up their crops in the initial onslaught with a bit leftover for them to snack on through the day (or at night to provide a morning appetizer before I get out to feed). Once they get to a size where I am comfortable with them free-ranging then they get FF in the evenings only to get them back into the pens...they'll eat any leftovers in the morning.

I have a little different situation than a lot of people in that my chickens aren't located at my house. I have to drive to a different property, so it means they don't get fed until I get out there. That's why I make sure they have a bit leftover at night to tide them over until I arrive.

Great thanks! Saves a little on the pocket book

not having to buy all the extra stuff since I am feeding organic !

 

[OilyChick]

I just found some old vegetable seed from years ago. Way outdated. Is there anything wrong with trying to ferment it along with "regular" chicken seeds/grains or sprout it and feed to chickens? Mostly carrots, kale, spinach, lettuce.thanks!