FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[Mom2Sav]

Thanks Beekissed. Do you have any opinion on pellets versus the feed type and higher quality organic (new country organic) versus the lower quality organics from TSC? I want to feed the NCO but the shipping is $20. How long do you think a 50 lb bag will last 8-10 RI Reds in the winter time?

 

[Beekissed]

Thanks Beekissed. Do you have any opinion on pellets versus the feed type and higher quality organic (new country organic) versus the lower quality organics from TSC? I want to feed the NCO but the shipping is $20. How long do you think a 50 lb bag will last 8-10 RI Reds in the winter time?

I'm hoping someone else will chime in on that one....I don't feed anything but layer mash I buy fresh at the local mill, so have very little experience with name brand feeds or organic feeds. Also not sure on how long feed will last you as everyone seems to feed in a different manner and different amounts. I only feed my flock once each morning in the winter, usually averaging 1/2 cup wet feed per bird each day. Never really kept track on how long a 50 lb bag will last at that rate as I buy 150# at a time and store it all in a big ol' garbage can.

 

[ShanandGem]

I'm hoping someone else will chime in on that one....I don't feed anything but layer mash I buy fresh at the local mill, so have very little experience with name brand feeds or organic feeds. Also not sure on how long feed will last you as everyone seems to feed in a different manner and different amounts. I only feed my flock once each morning in the winter, usually averaging 1/2 cup wet feed per bird each day. Never really kept track on how long a 50 lb bag will last at that rate as I buy 150# at a time and store it all in a big ol' garbage can.

I feed pretty much exactly the same amount of FF per bird as Beekissed, and the only ones who feel the need to snack on dry pellets between feedings are my Brahmas.
Edited to add: I ferment my own mix of whole grains, roasted peas and seeds, so different product, but same amount served.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

@bullets I tried many different kinds of feed in the beginning, including game bird starter (28%). I do remember an alcohol smell with some batches, but not recently with Purina Flock Raiser (20%). The smell definitely varied from batch to batch with different feeds. I can't remember if the smell changed over the days or not. I did feed it out though and haven't had issues, yet.

 

[bullets]

@bullets I tried many different kinds of feed in the beginning, including game bird starter (28%). I do remember an alcohol smell with some batches, but not recently with Purina Flock Raiser (20%). The smell definitely varied from batch to batch with different feeds. I can't remember if the smell changed over the days or not. I did feed it out though and haven't had issues, yet.

Okay cool. I did go ahead and feed it out tonight anyway. I'm glad to hear that it should be okay. Thanks!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Thanks Beekissed. Do you have any opinion on pellets versus the feed type and higher quality organic (new country organic) versus the lower quality organics from TSC? I want to feed the NCO but the shipping is $20. How long do you think a 50 lb bag will last 8-10 RI Reds in the winter time?

Hi, welcome to BYC!

I feed 50 birds 200 # of feed per month, free choice fermented with unlimited free range from sun up to sun down. That may very with the weather. So that's about 4 # per bird per month. As stated though, everyone's situation is different. That will be a lot less when they are chicks though.

Wish I could afford NCO too.

I have raised many different broods of chicks. 8-10 is actually a comfortable size that seem most manageable for me and beneficial for their development. I might suggest going for the lower #, not less than 5 (for me), so you have room to grow and add more breeds as your interests grow. Watch out for chicken math!

Say next year add 5 new layers that won't molt at the same time as this group. Also, it IS nice to be able to tell the girls apart and their eggs... So maybe consider getting more than 1 breed. Plus it makes for nice eye candy in the yard.

RIR are spry little girls, and probably not as heavy of consumers on the feed bill as some larger breeds.

Best wishes!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Okay cool. I did go ahead and feed it out tonight anyway. I'm glad to hear that it should be okay. Thanks!

I meant to say... Sorry to hear about your bird.

I will be interested to hear the details, for educational purposes of course.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Let's say it's 45 degrees, how many days do you think the first batch would take to ferment? We are getting the chickens within 2 weeks. I'm ordering the organic feed which may take a few days. And then I need to start the ferment. So I'm wondering if I should order the feed now? Any thoughts?

I keep my FF outside where the temps are around 45 during the winter.... I leave a big back slosh and it is usually ready within 4-5 days and I feed out within about 7 days after that. Basically I keep 2 batches going and go back and forth weekly.

I would go ahead and order the feed. Shipping sometimes get's delayed. Storing for a few extra days shouldn't hurt it and it's ALWAYS nice to be prepared.

 

[Mom2Sav]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Of course now my head is spinning but I'll figure it out. Does anyone think there is any point in fermenting produce scraps if I'm going to ferment the feed? I do plan on giving them fruit I use for my 2nd ferment when I make Kombucha. I figured that would be a nice little treat for them. Sorry to ask so many questions. But would be unheard of to swap out feeds or mix them? And is there anything that might be missing in the layer feed that I might need to include in their diet? Are the pellets a complete diet? Ugh, thanks for all your help everyone. This Newbie Hippee Chickee really appreciates it.

 

[lazy gardener]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Of course now my head is spinning but I'll figure it out. Does anyone think there is any point in fermenting produce scraps if I'm going to ferment the feed? I do plan on giving them fruit I use for my 2nd ferment when I make Kombucha. I figured that would be a nice little treat for them. Sorry to ask so many questions. But would be unheard of to swap out feeds or mix them? And is there anything that might be missing in the layer feed that I might need to include in their diet? Are the pellets a complete diet? Ugh, thanks for all your help everyone. This Newbie Hippee Chickee really appreciates it.

I would not ferment produce scraps. I'd simply toss them to the birds as they are. As for swapping feeds: are you talking about using a bag of one brand this month, followed by an other brand with your next purchase? I do that all the time. I buy my feed based on who is offering the best price or best coupon when ever I buy feed. For the most part, it boils down to purchasing from one of 2 local competitors. I like the feed from one store better, but, my wallet dictates where I go. As far as layer feed vs: starter, or multi-flock: IMO layer feed is an inferior product. Any chicken, when given a choice will choose the higher protein feed. But, if you don't use layer, you definitely need to offer oyster shell on the side for the extra calcium. I also think it's a good idea to offer OS on the side, especially if birds don't get to free range, even when you are using only layer. Again, I use layer most of the time b/c it's easier on my wallet. When I have chicks in the yard, I switch the whole flock to starter or multi-flock.