FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[igorsMistress]

I've been fermenting feed a few months now. I've finally gotten to the point where I don't have to weigh and measure to get the right consistency. I no longer wash the crock I'm fermenting in before I backslop and start a new batch, and if the feed separates a bit I add a little dry oatmeal to soak up the liquid in their bowl.

I was so cautious when I started out, didn't want to make my birds sick and all that. Didn't want to waste food either. Now it's so easy!

Thanks to @lazy gardener and @Molpet especially, but to everyone on this thread that answered all my questions. I appreciate all the help from everyone here!

 

[lazy gardener]

I've been fermenting feed a few months now. I've finally gotten to the point where I don't have to weigh and measure to get the right consistency. I no longer wash the crock I'm fermenting in before I backslop and start a new batch, and if the feed separates a bit I add a little dry oatmeal to soak up the liquid in their bowl.

I was so cautious when I started out, didn't want to make my birds sick and all that. Didn't want to waste food either. Now it's so easy!

Thanks to @lazy gardener and @Molpet especially, but to everyone on this thread that answered all my questions. I appreciate all the help from everyone here!

YVW. To all others who are curious but not quite ready to take the FF plunge: Why not try fermenting a qt. or even a pint of feed. Play with it, see how your birds like it (remember, chickens hate change). Then you will be in a position to decide whether you want to ferment your feed. You can make an informed decision, as you will be familiar with the process, and have actually used FF!

 

[Rubestmar]

YVW?
We are giving a go, tried about 2 months ago and trying again with our hens. Ducks prefer dry mash. So far doing well with our hens, adding dry layers mash to soak up excess moisture

 

[igorsMistress]

Yvw is you're very welcome

 

[Rubestmar]

Yvw is you're very welcome

I knew that!...Honest! x

 

[igorsMistress]

Of course you did! We all have those moments

 

[FlyWheel]

Has Purina changed the formulation of their Flock Raiser brand feed? I just bought a new bag and when I mixed it with water the resulting mash was a light yellowish green (usually it's an olive drab) and the chickens don't seem to like it. They used to finish their mash by the afternoon, now there's still half a day's ration left in their trough the next morning. Even dry they'll eat it only reluctantly. This started the very first day I gave it to them.

 

[aart]

Has Purina changed the formulation of their Flock Raiser brand feed? I just bought a new bag and when I mixed it with water the resulting mash was a light yellowish green (usually it's an olive drab) and the chickens don't seem to like it. They used to finish their mash by the afternoon, now there's still half a day's ration left in their trough the next morning. Even dry they'll eat it only reluctantly. This started the very first day I gave it to them.

What't the lot and MFG date?
The one I just bought was over pulverized(dusty) and had some gray clumps in it as well as a few unbroken pellets..... seal band printed with (1?)7SEP19 MFI1

 

[tigger19687]

Anyone Ferment the Green Mountain crumble NON-GMO ?

 

[blackdog043]

Has Purina changed the formulation of their Flock Raiser brand feed? I just bought a new bag and when I mixed it with water the resulting mash was a light yellowish green (usually it's an olive drab) and the chickens don't seem to like it. They used to finish their mash by the afternoon, now there's still half a day's ration left in their trough the next morning. Even dry they'll eat it only reluctantly. This started the very first day I gave it to them.

@aart I have the same issue with Dumor Starter/Grower. (Made by Purina) I bought this bag about 3 weeks ago and when fermenting, it is not as dark and my chickens don't finish it every day. The code on the seal band is: 7AUG30STA(2?) It looks like a 2 at the end. Since I started feeding this bag, I am only getting 2 or 3 eggs a day, when I was getting 5 - 7 a day. I know the days are getting shorter, with light but this happened since this bag of feed. I'm wondering if a protien ingredient was left out.