FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[EggSighted4Life]

I tried it this summer and they didn't take to it at all. I used mesh and they just ignored it. I don't think they knew that it was food. How do I Introduce it to them. Can ducks eat fermented food too? I just want to ask to make sure. Thanks for any help!

It usually took my flock a few days when switching over to figure out it was food. But then it was on! Smaller less adventurous flocks could take a tad longer. I would remove the dry feed, they won't starve I promise.

Chickens are creatures of habit, so anything new might seem a little suspicious to them at first. You might put it in a colorful dish to attract them. If you stick with it, soon you'll be posting "wow I can't believe the difference in poo and they really love this stuff!"

 

[carol goins]

I have been using femented food for past year! My chickens love it. I use 1 1/2 cups of their feed1 cup of scratch and filtered water to top , stir add more wateras needed in large jar. Cover with lid and stir couple times a day, ready in 3 days. Keep 2. Jars going at all times. Also keep lentils sprouts going in jars also!

 

[CrazedCowgirl]

Sorry if my questions have already been answered but I'd like some further info and help when it comes to fermented feeds.

I currently have 5 laying hens and 12 new chicks. Currently hens are on layer pellets and chick are on chick crumbles. I'd love to start giving everyone fermented feed but I've seen and heard mixed "reviews" on it. I still have a few questions that I haven't gotten clear answers on.

1) Can I feed chicks (less then a week old) fermented feed?

2) Do you have to use special feeders or can I just add it into their gravity feeder they have now.

3) Can I make fermented feed out of store bought chick starter or layer pellets or is it best to make it out of plain grains?

I've received some pretty harsh feedback from other chicken people when I mention fermented feeds and it sounds like everyone here has some great knowledge to share!

 

[Molpet]

Sorry if my questions have already been answered but I'd like some further info and help when it comes to fermented feeds.

I currently have 5 laying hens and 12 new chicks. Currently hens are on layer pellets and chick are on chick crumbles. I'd love to start giving everyone fermented feed but I've seen and heard mixed "reviews" on it. I still have a few questions that I haven't gotten clear answers on.

1) Can I feed chicks (less then a week old) fermented feed? YES I start at day 1

2) Do you have to use special feeders or can I just add it into their gravity feeder they have now... Yes.. Gravity will not work.. also no metal.. I use plastic trough or bowels

3) Can I make fermented feed out of store bought chick starter or layer pellets or is it best to make it out of plain grains? What ever they are use to eating is fine.

I've received some pretty harsh feedback from other chicken people when I mention fermented feeds and it sounds like everyone here has some great knowledge to share!

https://tikktok.wordpress.com/2014/04/13/fermented-feed-faq/

 

[TexasLisa]

1. You can start your chicks on fermented feed from the time they hatch.

2. It is best to use a feeder that is not metal. Acid from fermented feed will react with metal.

3. Everyone has their own preference on what kind of feed to give their flock. Experiment and don't go expensive.

Good luck and stay away from people who give harsh advice. Raising chickens should be fun and NOT stressful.

 

[lazy gardener]

Sorry if my questions have already been answered but I'd like some further info and help when it comes to fermented feeds.

I currently have 5 laying hens and 12 new chicks. Currently hens are on layer pellets and chick are on chick crumbles. I'd love to start giving everyone fermented feed but I've seen and heard mixed "reviews" on it. I still have a few questions that I haven't gotten clear answers on.

1) Can I feed chicks (less then a week old) fermented feed?

2) Do you have to use special feeders or can I just add it into their gravity feeder they have now.

3) Can I make fermented feed out of store bought chick starter or layer pellets or is it best to make it out of plain grains?

I've received some pretty harsh feedback from other chicken people when I mention fermented feeds and it sounds like everyone here has some great knowledge to share!

Sorry you've been blasted in the past. Not very nice people! Unfortunately, folks who speak the most negatively about it are the ones who've never tried it.

1. Yes, you can feed chicks FF. What I like to do is start them with crumble on the floor of the brooder, and perhaps a little feeder full of crumble. I do this simply b/c hatchlings need that experience of picking at little bits that they see here and there. Once they are eating, I put out some FF. Again, I like to put it on the floor, perhaps a little plop of it on a piece of cardboard, or a paper plate, or a jar lid. I make it kind of stiff, and make sure there's not enough of it so that if they do a face plant in it, they won't suffocate themselves. They should take right to it well.

2. After they are eating well, I simply stop offering dry feed. Always be sure it's in a container that they can't get mired down in, or trampled into. Your gravity feeder won't work. But, I sometimes use the little plastic feeder that is designed for a qt. jar to screw onto to put the FF in, and leave the qt. jar off.

3. You can use your chick starter. Don't give them fermented layer. When I have chicks, I simply put the entire flock on starter. I never buy medicated feed. If you're using medicated chick crumble, you may not want to let your layers have that.

I've been using FF for about 4 years now, and can tell you that my birds lay sooner, lay more and are better looking than the birds of my friends and neighbors who have gotten their birds from same location at the same time (often, I've provided them with chicks from my flock). These folks buy their feed at the same feed stores. Only difference is that my girls get FF. (and sprouts in the winter).

 

[bullets]

How much sooner would you say your chooks lay than others of the same age? Also, can you go into more detail on the comparison if your friends/neighbors chooks to yours of the same age? This intrigues me. I've had my entire flock on FF since the very beginning and I have nobody to compare to.

 

[redsix]

For fermented feed - make a trough type wooden feeder by putting two boards together in edge to edge in a "V" shape and using two more small boards to cap the ends. I ferment layer feed (either crumbles or pellets). I've never bothered to feed the chicks fermented starter and grower feed. Always seemed easier just to use the jar type feeders for the chicks.

 

[ImportTheBest]

So in that link with the FAQ on FF it basically says if you have chloramines in your tap water to not bother with FF unless you can filter it out. I looked up what is needed to filter out the chloramines and well, that's just not going to happen.

They're going to be getting the city water for drinking, that's just the way it is going to have to be. Is it really pointless trying to FF with the city water? Will it 100% not work? I was really excited to FF with my new birds and the meat birds to keep poop smells down and keep my ladies healthy and happy.

 

[redsix]

So in that link with the FAQ on FF it basically says if you have chloramines in your tap water to not bother with FF unless you can filter it out. I looked up what is needed to filter out the chloramines and well, that's just not going to happen.

They're going to be getting the city water for drinking, that's just the way it is going to have to be. Is it really pointless trying to FF with the city water? Will it 100% not work? I was really excited to FF with my new birds and the meat birds to keep poop smells down and keep my ladies healthy and happy.

I guess the thinking is that the chlorine will kill the bacteria that causes the fermenting process. I think if you leave the water in an open container for 24 hours, most of the chlorine will go away. You could always catch rain water.