FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[AquaDuck]

Surface area makes a huge difference in how much the fermentation process alters the chemical composition of the food. Ground meal makes a much better fermentation target than whole grains as the bacteria has a lot more surface area to eat into. Same reasoning as pulping grapes for wine rather the simply using raw/half grapes.

If you are fermenting, then chicken feed is the far better target. You can add scratch grains, but don't count on a high percentage of it to be consumed during the fermentation process.

Thanks!
I have a whole barrel full of barley that won't sprout, so I'm trying to find ways to use it. It will be of SOME more use as food when it's soaked and fermented than just dry, right?
So time is not an issue, it's not going to increase in value the longer it sits in the fermenting-bucket?

 

[Dayrel]

Sorry, I don't have details on how much more digestible it will be than non-fermented barley. I'm sure there will be some benefit, just significantly less than ground meal. In other words, it won't hurt. Go ahead and use it if you want.

If you have a way to grind up the barley before fermenting, you should increase it's benefit considerably.

 

[AquaDuck]

Sorry, I don't have details on how much more digestible it will be than non-fermented barley. I'm sure there will be some benefit, just significantly less than ground meal. In other words, it won't hurt. Go ahead and use it if you want.

If you have a way to grind up the barley before fermenting, you should increase it's benefit considerably.

Yeah, I've thought about grinding it. Think I tried before with some redneck method without much success. lol! Might be easier with just a little bit at a time though. Hm...

Yep, tomorrow's project will be to create a grinder.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Yeah, I've thought about grinding it. Think I tried before with some redneck method without much success. lol! Might be easier with just a little bit at a time though. Hm...

Yep, tomorrow's project will be to create a grinder.

I wouldn't waste time grinding what you have. Who needs the extra work. I just wouldn't buy whole in the future for this purpose or whatever. Stinks that it won't sprout... then you could sprout first then ferment! Barley is, I think about 14% protein. Make sure you are adding it to a balanced formula that you aren't diminishing the protein value too much. Not less than 16% in general for layers. It's the amino acids in the protein that is important.

Yes, I think the amount of time you ferment DOES matter. So, the whole barley takes a little longer to ferment than if it were ground. You could get your barley soaking an extra day before adding it to your ferment, or experiment with extra dayS. Even un-fermented, barley is better than corn all day long! So use it up. I just recommend not going overboard on whole grains, as many of them are missing key nutrients and much lower in protein than most formulated rations.

Oh, and welcome to fermenting!!

If you haven't already seen it, check out the link in my signature line about FF. It might be helpful.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Sorry for another post, just thinking... get your barley started with a little back slop from your other feed. Pay attention until a good day or more after it start bubbling, bubbles are the FIRST sign of ferment. After it's good and fluffy then you will know how long it takes to reach the stage you like to feed out and you can start it that much farther ahead.

Otherwise, yes I think even some ferment, as in no extra effort than adding it to the mix, SHOULD increase the digestibility SOME. Good luck!

 

[AquaDuck]

I wouldn't waste time grinding what you have. Who needs the extra work. I just wouldn't buy whole in the future for this purpose or whatever. Stinks that it won't sprout... then you could sprout first then ferment! Barley is, I think about 14% protein. Make sure you are adding it to a balanced formula that you aren't diminishing the protein value too much. Not less than 16% in general for layers. It's the amino acids in the protein that is important.

Yes, I think the amount of time you ferment DOES matter. So, the whole barley takes a little longer to ferment than if it were ground. You could get your barley soaking an extra day before adding it to your ferment, or experiment with extra dayS. Even un-fermented, barley is better than corn all day long! So use it up. I just recommend not going overboard on whole grains, as many of them are missing key nutrients and much lower in protein than most formulated rations.

Oh, and welcome to fermenting!!

If you haven't already seen it, check out the link in my signature line about FF. It might be helpful.

I would never have bought whole grains for feeding purposes, but I got this for free by cleaning out of a barn after they'd send the rest to processing. Free food, who can say no, eh?

I'm feeding mostly chicken feed, and they free range so I think they'll be ok nutrient wise. It'll just be a crop-filler on top of the rest.

I'll take your advice and start a batch with JUST barley and starter-water from the other batches. I'm guessing molding won't be as much of a problem with whole grains as crumble, so it can't hurt letting it stand for a week.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I would never have bought whole grains for feeding purposes, but I got this for free by cleaning out of a barn after they'd send the rest to processing. Free food, who can say no, eh?

I'm feeding mostly chicken feed, and they free range so I think they'll be ok nutrient wise. It'll just be a crop-filler on top of the rest.

I'll take your advice and start a batch with JUST barley and starter-water from the other batches. I'm guessing molding won't be as much of a problem with whole grains as crumble, so it can't hurt letting it stand for a week.

Mold doesn't seem to be much of a problem as the as the ferment has something to feed on and you stir at least once a day.

 

[3riverschick]

Oh don't get me started. yeah ,I know I'm a hundred eighty degrees from fermented feed.why would I want to feed my birds half ucky feed when there's all this nice Fresh Feed and fresh vegetables to feed them. nope , never going to be converted.
Karen

 

[Dayrel]

Oh don't get me started. yeah ,I know I'm a hundred eighty degrees from fermented feed.why would I want to feed my birds half ucky feed when there's all this nice Fresh Feed and fresh vegetables to feed them. nope , never going to be converted.
Karen

The fresh vegetables are fine for the most part, but grains and beans both contain anti-nutrients (chemicals that prevent nutrient absorption and/or actually do damage). Fermenting breaks down a lot of those chemicals into more tolerable and/or beneficial ones. Eating fermented foods is actually good for humans as well.

Although this article is about human nutrition, it should offer you some insight on why anti-nutrients are a problem and what can be done to help yours and your flock's nutrition.

As an alternative, another "anti-nutrient fixer" mentioned in that article is sprouting, which is another way to improve the nutrition in whole grains and beans. Again, good for humans and animals.

PS- If you try it, you might be surprised how much your birds like it. Mine dove in right away when I first made FF.

 

[GC-Raptor]

Oh don't get me started. yeah ,I know I'm a hundred eighty degrees from fermented feed.why would I want to feed my birds half ucky feed when there's all this nice Fresh Feed and fresh vegetables to feed them. nope , never going to be converted.
Karen

Yeah, I hear yea, it's nice just filling the feeder once a week, cleaning once a month and not having it freeze in winter. I have zero waste with pellets. If a pellet falls on the floor my girls immediately pick it up. I don't feed greens, my girls free range, 2 hours before sunset daily, weather permitting.
It's so much easier to get someone to just collect eggs daily, than it is to get someone to feed twice a day and collect eggs.
My feeder easily lasts a week, and the same with my waterer, which I clean once a week. GC