FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[igorsMistress]

@Chickassan you'll get used to it

 

[tigger19687]

@igorsMistress Mine do that too, I try to sneak out with out it creeking.
I have 4 so 1/4 # each should be 2 pounds of FF since it looks like mine doubles in size.
Once I get the Yard fixed and the new coop set up I will have room in there to keep the feed.

I wonder if I can find a round scoop that holds 1 pound FF so it would be easier feeding... Like a soup ladel... hmmmmm Off to the $1 store tomorrow

 

[igorsMistress]

@igorsMistress Mine do that too, I try to sneak out with out it creeking.
I have 4 so 1/4 # each should be 2 pounds of FF since it looks like mine doubles in size.
Once I get the Yard fixed and the new coop set up I will have room in there to keep the feed.

I wonder if I can find a round scoop that holds 1 pound FF so it would be easier feeding... Like a soup ladel... hmmmmm Off to the $1 store tomorrow

It doesn't quite work that way for me. I use more water than feed so 22 oz dry feed plus water to 4 lbs feeds for two days. I usually allow 1/3 lb feed per bird because some days they eat a little more than others.

 

[tigger19687]

hmmm, I still need to weigh and measure feed/water to see if I can get more out of the feed.
Right now I fill to the 400 mark with feed then fill with water. It usually swells to almost the top. Some times to the top, makes it messy. Hence why it is still on the deck and not the counter
I think I need to find a small bucket with lid so I can make more in one batch. I only have the 5 gal buckets and that is a lot of extra room. Would rather have 2 small buckets
Mine also free range during the day.

 

[lazy gardener]

If you are mixing your feed according to using x# of ounces, be sure to remember that dry ounce measurement does not = weight measurement. In other words, a cup of dry feed would fill an 8 ounce measuring cup, but it would weigh less than 8 ounces.

 

[tigger19687]

Sorry I should clearify, I just filled feed to the line of 400 on the quart jar, then filled with water to top (stirred then to top at end of adding water). The end weight of it all is 2 pounds. So I am still feeding my weight I am not really measuring by weight & measurements.
It has been rainy here on and off for the last week so I haev not had time to do proper measure. Plus the 25th was my B-day and Today is my daughters B-day. So I was pre-occupied and not actually using the weight machine.
I admit, we came back form the New England Aquarium at 5 this evening and I just finished feeding the pigs. Filled quart jar with water to the 500 mark and then feed and stirred just to see how much would swell when I check at 7pm. I will then see if I need to add more feed to get oatmeal thickness or just onder that and let it sit for 3 days then see how thick it is.
I do always weight the jars before feeding.

My weight machine is inside and I can't bring it out in the rain Tomorrow afternoon will be good and I can do some weights then

 

[lazy gardener]

Can I ask why you feel the need to weigh your feed?

 

[tigger19687]

I want to make sure I am not underfeeding them.

 

[orchardflock]

I think I'm calling quits on my first round of fermented feed. I made way too much because it swelled up to at least 3 times the volume of dry feed filling a 5 gallon bucket to the very top. The side of the bucket now has mold growing on the sides :-(. I think I'm going to bleach everything and then start again hopefully in a smaller bucket. The chickens loved it for about the first 4 days, but then their appetite for it dropped dramatically.

How much in your experience would you make for approximately 20 chickens? While I love the weighing idea, I don't think that is practical given my numbers and vastly different sized breeds and ages.

 

[tigger19687]

What about figuring out how much each should eat per day and have several buckets going?