FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[Jensownzoo]

Has anyone tried giving chickens other fermented foods? Kombucha? I have a ginger bug that I'm using the liquid from to make ginger ale, would the hens eat the solids or would too much ginger hurt them?

Mine occasionally get yogurt.

Ginger is okay in moderation. When supplemented in powdered form at the correct rate 10-15g/kg feed), it can actually boost egg production. No idea how that would translate to your situation, but you can always try a little bit at a time to see how they react.

 

[Molpet]

Has anyone tried giving chickens other fermented foods? Kombucha? I have a ginger bug that I'm using the liquid from to make ginger ale, would the hens eat the solids or would too much ginger hurt them?

people feed the extra mothers to them

 

[Tikkijane]

Instead of backslopping, you could start your ferment fresh each time, which would give you a lightly fermented product the first day and so on and so forth.  Then I'd just keep the batches to a size where you can feed it out before it gets too rank. 

I feed mine the upchuck horrific stuff anyway and they act like it's caviar all the same. 

X2

 

[Kangasox]

Instead of backslopping, you could start your ferment fresh each time, which would give you a lightly fermented product the first day and so on and so forth.  Then I'd just keep the batches to a size where you can feed it out before it gets too rank. 

I feed mine the upchuck horrific stuff anyway and they act like it's caviar all the same. 

Yes, this. We are in the south, and I've definitely had to change the way I do it this summer. I either start fresh or leave only a tiny amount in the bottom when I start over. I get yeast 2x daily, just mix it in, and I only make enough to feed 3 days at a time.

 

[TexasLisa]

I live SW of Houston, TX. Our temps are hitting between 100-102. I make my fermented feed up maybe once every week and a half. I use Eggmaker pellets, scratch, oregano, garlic powder, and red pepper. I stir it at least twice a day. I keep it covered with a wire grate inside the smithy out of the sun. If I am lucky, I will get maggots (fly larvae). My flock loves me when that happens.

 

[Meadowchick]

Great Big Southern: "Thanks Y'all!" to Beekissed and EVERYONE else who chimed in on my plea for help with my FF efforts! I was afraid that the really yucky stuff was too far gone & not good for them.
I guess I will just crank up a new batch and keep on letting it "cook"...the maggot thing was something I didn't consider, but Hey! Free Protein...Thanks for that tidbit too (pun intended).

 

[Meadowchick]

Changing the subject...I make my own ACV. I started it a year or two ago when we got some free apples from a friend in S. Dakota. So, being the tight-wad that I am, I just had to try making ACV...easy-peasy. I have also made vinegar with pears from our Biscamp pear trees here. It is milder, but the process works great, forming a mother quite quickly. Our trees are loaded with fruit this summer, so I will probably have gallon pickle jars sitting everywhere with batches brewing for a while...Having home-made ACV/PCV to use in my flock's water has saved me a good many $$$.

I did read that vinegar in the water during Summer is not a good thing for chickens...that we should use a soda/salt (electrolyte) solution to reduce heat stress

...Whatta ya know bout that?

Here is some "finished" ACV/PCV from a batch in 2014, with the mother on top, before I bottled it...The cloudiness settles to the bottom, but I do put a smidge of the mother in each bottle.

 

[TexasLisa]

I have only been raising chickens for 5 years so I am NOT an expert. I've used the ACV year round and have not had any problems at all. I use a glug of ACV when I fill their water containers. The only problem I have are VARMINTS!

 

[Tikkijane]

For everyone using the fermented feed, would you say ur chickens are less prone to diseases and illness and more robust and healthy?

Mine have always been good, but I'd say yes.

 

[Tikkijane]

I live SW of Houston, TX.  Our temps are hitting between 100-102.  I make my fermented feed up maybe once every week and a half.  I use Eggmaker pellets, scratch, oregano, garlic powder, and red pepper.  I stir it at least twice a day.  I keep it covered with a wire grate inside the smithy out of the sun.  If I am lucky, I will get maggots (fly larvae).  My flock loves me when that happens. 

Yes! The babies especially love the wiggly protein served right up!