FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[Molpet]

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 Way outdated.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!

if they are organic seeds they might be ok.... a lot of seed from way back was treated

 

[OilyChick]

ahhh yes, I hadn't considered they might be treated. Stinkin chemicals on everything!

 

[Chicken Cake]

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.

Is there any benefit of fermented once a day with 24 access to dry? It’s just not feasible for my chicken sitters to feed on a schedule twice daily. The regular dog and cat sitter will collect eggs and check on them during her visits but she’s got her hands full feeding the other animals what most probably consider odd, fussy meals. I can’t ask her to take on the chickens, too. LOL

Right now I’m giving them a tub of soaked food mid-day but I could easily ferment that in individual servings to keep things simple for everyone.

 

[Kangasox]

Is there any benefit of fermented once a day with 24 access to dry?  It’s just not feasible for my chicken sitters to feed on a schedule twice daily.  The regular dog and cat sitter will collect eggs and check on them during her visits but she’s got her hands full feeding the other animals what most probably consider odd, fussy meals.  I can’t ask her to take on the chickens, too. LOL

Right now I’m giving them a tub of soaked food mid-day but I could easily ferment that in individual servings to keep things simple for everyone.

What I've read says any is better than none. When we go away I plan to leave dry, just for ease and access, expecially when the sitter is only coming once a day.

 

[Jensownzoo]

Is there any benefit of fermented once a day with 24 access to dry?  It’s just not feasible for my chicken sitters to feed on a schedule twice daily.

If nothing else, it is a great probiotic. Otherwise you get a selected nutrient boost from both production by the microbes as well as increased bioavailability.

But if it's a short term hiatus for a vacation, I'd probably just keep things simple and stick with dry.

 

[krazychickylady]

I am trying my first round with fermented feed. My question is about amount of feed.. I have a flock of 15 that currently eat 3 to 4 pounds of feed per day, depending on how much they forage. SOOoooooo... when I ferment the feed, will they still eat 3 to 4 pounds of fermented feed, even though I know that the finished fermented feed will actually take less "dry" food to make the fermented. Do I still measure it out about the same??

 

[Molpet]

I am trying my first round with fermented feed. My question is about amount of feed.. I have a flock of 15 that currently eat 3 to 4 pounds of feed per day, depending on how much they forage. SOOoooooo... when I ferment the feed, will they still eat 3 to 4 pounds of fermented feed, even though I know that the finished fermented feed will actually take less "dry" food to make the fermented. Do I still measure it out about the same??

I feed 2x a day what they eat in 20 min if there is a lot left I cut back... if there is none I give them more.
https://tikktok.wordpress.com/2014/04/13/fermented-feed-faq/

 

[crawford-3546]

Mine free range all day. Right now, 1/2 cup per chicken is too much. I feed once in the evening and they have leftovers in the morning.

 

[bobw189]

I'm new to FF, but a local brewery is giving me 4-600 lbs of spent grains a week. I've been trying to dry it to make a mixed feed but it normally molds before I can get it dry enough to save for my livestock. This week I decided to try something new and ferment 1/2 of it in a big plastic trash bin. I mixed in some ACV added some more cracked corn and water and now it sits. My only real concern at this point is that these grains were mixed with yeast, sugar and other stuff to make beer, should I be concerned about getting my chickens drunk?

 

[Siggie]

I feed 2x a day what they eat in 20 min if there is a lot left I cut back... if there is none I give them more.
https://tikktok.wordpress.com/2014/04/13/fermented-feed-faq/

Is it normal for them to act like they are starving when you feed them? Mine go crazy when I put the fermented seed down like I haven't fed them in days???? They eat it all in about 30 - 40 minutes time (I have 22 4 week old chicks right now)