FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[andreanar]

Another newbie question, I plan to scoop out the FF that I need each day. When it gets low, can I just add more feed to the container or do I need to start all over again?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Just add more feed and water. Leaving some in there is called back slopping and it keeps your ferment going nicely so you don't have to wait 3 days or so every time.

 

[andreanar]

Just add more feed and water. Leaving some in there is called back slopping and it keeps your ferment going nicely so you don't have to wait 3 days or so every time.

Thanks, that makes things much simpler!

 

[lazy gardener]

My smaller gutter is hanging by string.. you know, the kind you can use to tie your stuff into your truck, provided at Home Depot. Or actually, it may be from the strings around the hay.. I like to re-purpose free stuff! I'm planning to switch to chain and put S hooks up higher, so I can just lift the feeder and hook on the S in order to combat rodents. Right now I cover my 8 ft feeder with a 2 x 4.

I need to cut some lids for my troughs as well. I have some laminate flooring that I think I'll use. Raising them at night is also a wonderful idea.

My ONLY local grocers are Walmart and Safeway (tried Subway to). We also stopped at a Fred Myers in Oregon. All either said no we can't do that or they sell them for $3 each. So I bought my watering bucket at Wally, white/food safe.. for around $3. No left over staining or pickle smell. Time is $ and all the thought and time put into asking for free buckets was a waste in my area... But hey, I LOVE the redwoods and wouldn't change my location for all the free buckets in the world!!!! [/QUOTE]

Well, $3 is still less than you might pay elsewhere. Do they come with lids???

Another newbie question, I plan to scoop out the FF that I need each day. When it gets low, can I just add more feed to the container or do I need to start all over again?

I like to leave about a cup of ferment in the bottom of my bucket to kick start the next batch. But after you get your ferment going, it's amazing how very little culture is required to get the next batch going. Sometimes, all I have left in the bucket is the stuff clinging to the sides, and the next batch ferments very well. If I find myself filling my bucket late afternoon or in the evening, I use warm water. That will make the culture grow very fast, so it's ready to feed out the following morning.

 

[andreanar]

I got my ff started this morning, it's grower feed, some scratch and some meal worms with filtered water. Cap is just sitting on top of container loose.

 

[mobius]

nicely done. don't need meal worms. or scratch. just grower feed will do nicely. don't overthink this

 

[FlyWheel]

I got my ff started this morning, it's grower feed, some scratch and some meal worms with filtered water. Cap is just sitting on top of container loose.
View attachment 1078742

I hope that lid isn't screwed on tight, or you may be waking up to a fermented mess!

 

[andreanar]

I hope that lid isn't screwed on tight, or you may be waking up to a fermented mess!

No, The cap is just sitting on top!
@mobius I think I was trying to make it more desirable, Ive read where some birds wont eat it so I was hoping the extra yummies would entice them.

 

[Dayrel]

Fermentation is really to make the grain-based meal more digestible. My ladies took to the FF right away, but you can always add meal worms on top if yours are reluctant.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

No, The cap is just sitting on top!
@mobius I think I was trying to make it more desirable, Ive read where some birds wont eat it so I was hoping the extra yummies would entice them.

The birds only hesitate to eat the FF when they are first introduced to it because they are creatures of habit. After the first few introductions, once they realize it's food... they go crazy for it!