FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[Crs1]

Oh. So it’s not that the feed will go bad cuz I’ve never experienced that or the exploding. I use a 5 gallon bucket to feed 50 pullets hens and roosters and just keep blackslopping

 

[scawthon74]

We hadn't thought of using FF, but I'm ready all this information and think we may very well benefit. We'd like to use our current mix, not sure what to do to get started. Unfortunately, I'm one of those who need very clear step by step instructions. We currently feed a 1/3 mix of scratch, layer, and grower.

 

[Aerliss]

We hadn't thought of using FF, but I'm ready all this information and think we may very well benefit. We'd like to use our current mix, not sure what to do to get started. Unfortunately, I'm one of those who need very clear step by step instructions. We currently feed a 1/3 mix of scratch, layer, and grower.

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

^^^ One of the best things you'll read on FF. You'll need to experiment to find the right system for you, but the basics are;

Mix feed and water.
Let it sit for several day.
Feed.

You can have several batches going at once in different tubs, or reuse the same tub, leaving a little of the last batch in to kickstart the new batch and it will be ready within 24 hours. You can feed a little every three days, some every day, all FF with no dry... There's no set way of doing it. You need to work out your own best way of doing it for you.

A note on chlorinated water; my water is chlorinated (though I believe in the UK our levels are lower, I'm not sure so don't quote me), and I just use it straight from the tap.

 

[scawthon74]

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

^^^ One of the best things you'll read on FF. You'll need to experiment to find the right system for you, but the basics are;

Mix feed and water.
Let it sit for several day.
Feed.

You can have several batches going at once in different tubs, or reuse the same tub, leaving a little of the last batch in to kickstart the new batch and it will be ready within 24 hours. You can feed a little every three days, some every day, all FF with no dry... There's no set way of doing it. You need to work out your own best way of doing it for you.

A note on chlorinated water; my water is chlorinated (though I believe in the UK our levels are lower, I'm not sure so don't quote me), and I just use it straight from the tap.

I have read this, but biggest thing is I have a hard time picture what something is suppose to look like from just words. I really could use some pics of the multi-bucket idea. Also, one thing that I didnt see asked and answered, do you stir before feeding or drain water of the top before feeding it there is water on top. Also, saw where someone said you can use brown sugar instead of ACV.

 

[llombardo]

I started doing this. The first two batches were eaten by my german shepherd, he really likes it. I put out dry food and they really don't touch it if I put the fermented stuff out there. I filled a 2 lb container with dry like almost two weeks ago, most of it is still there.

On my last two batches I added acv, garlic, bee pollen and Spirulina. They all liked that too.

 

[Perris]

I have read this, but biggest thing is I have a hard time picture what something is suppose to look like from just words. I really could use some pics of the multi-bucket idea. Also, one thing that I didnt see asked and answered, do you stir before feeding or drain water of the top before feeding it there is water on top. Also, saw where someone said you can use brown sugar instead of ACV.

I scoop it out of the container with a slotted spoon. I ferment mixed grain, and when done it still looks like grain but plumper, brighter, and some grains have started to sprout. Sometimes you get a white film on the top; apparently that it a sort of yeast that is not harmful, if unsightly. Scoop it off or stir it in, as suits you. You don't need (want?) AVC or brown sugar in it; just grain and water and time - like french bread!

 

[Molpet]

I have read this, but biggest thing is I have a hard time picture what something is suppose to look like from just words. I really could use some pics of the multi-bucket idea. Also, one thing that I didnt see asked and answered, do you stir before feeding or drain water of the top before feeding it there is water on top. Also, saw where someone said you can use brown sugar instead of ACV.

in this method the water is soaked in
I stir and put in my feed bucket, if it is too runny I add a little feed to thicken it up.

there is a two bucket method where one bucket has holes in it inserted into another bucket.. it is covered with water, and strained through the bucket with holes.
most of us have gotten away from that because it is too much work for the same results
I have several buckets going because I have 50+ chicken and 20 turkeys.

there are pics in the link

 

[Aerliss]

@scawthon74 I know you said you need exact instructions but unfortunately that's not something you'll get for FF. Everyone has their own methods that work best for their circumstances. You have to work out which way is best for you. It's kind of like cooking. Ask a room full of people the perfect way to make an omelette. There will be no consensus**.

The only exact instructions you can really get are;

Use a food grade container.
Use whatever feed you are using now.
Add water.
Let it ferment.
Feed.

Within that are billions of variations and no one can tell you what will be right for you. You have to just jump in, start experimenting, and tweak what you're doing until you find a method that suits.

I really could use some pics of the multi-bucket idea.

I don't want to sound rude here but... have you tried Google image search?

This article might be what you're after; http://www.theeasyhomestead.com/fermented-chicken-feed/

But as TikkTok said in their article; that method is overly complicated. Why make life more complicated?

Also, one thing that I didnt see asked and answered, do you stir before feeding

I give it a good big stir before I feed, so it's all nice and even. But that's up to you and your methods. I give my tub a poke whenever I'm near it as well, as it lives in the kitchen and I'm terrible at leaving things alone.

or drain water of the top before feeding it there is water on top.

That's again up to you. How do you want to feed it, wet or not? How do the chickens prefer it? Soupy, mushy, as dry as possible? It's just experimentation.

I started with the very wet method, but it was a pain in the butt draining it, and the chickens didn't like it soupy. So I use the method explained in the article I linked, where you don't have lots of buckets, and lots of water. Just one bucket, a water to feed ratio of 1:1, and a spoon.

There are no hard and fast rules except feed + water + time. The rest is up to your own preferences.

Also, saw where someone said you can use brown sugar instead of ACV.

Don't use sugar, you'll give yeasts and "bad bacteria" a head start. Don't use ACV, you're just wasting your ACV. As the article I linked said; the bacteria you want is in the air. The feed is what it will consume. You just need feed, water, and time.

I'd take pictures of my incredibly simple setup but I'm currently using an in feed wormer, so I'm fermenting slightly differently.

**I like Spanish style over French style (eugh, runny, luke warm eggs). Onions fried off before hand, then mixed into the egg, with grated cheese and a bit of water, salt and pepper, and then all of it cooked in butter. Peppers are optional. Ketchup is a must. Don't tell me ketchup doesn't go with eggs.

 

[scawthon74]

@scawthon74 I know you said you need exact instructions but unfortunately that's not something you'll get for FF. Everyone has their own methods that work best for their circumstances. You have to work out which way is best for you. It's kind of like cooking. Ask a room full of people the perfect way to make an omelette. There will be no consensus**.

The only exact instructions you can really get are;

Use a food grade container.
Use whatever feed you are using now.
Add water.
Let it ferment.
Feed.

Within that are billions of variations and no one can tell you what will be right for you. You have to just jump in, start experimenting, and tweak what you're doing until you find a method that suits.



I don't want to sound rude here but... have you tried Google image search?

This article might be what you're after; http://www.theeasyhomestead.com/fermented-chicken-feed/

But as TikkTok said in their article; that method is overly complicated. Why make life more complicated?



I give it a good big stir before I feed, so it's all nice and even. But that's up to you and your methods. I give my tub a poke whenever I'm near it as well, as it lives in the kitchen and I'm terrible at leaving things alone.



That's again up to you. How do you want to feed it, wet or not? How do the chickens prefer it? Soupy, mushy, as dry as possible? It's just experimentation.

I started with the very wet method, but it was a pain in the butt draining it, and the chickens didn't like it soupy. So I use the method explained in the article I linked, where you don't have lots of buckets, and lots of water. Just one bucket, a water to feed ratio of 1:1, and a spoon.

There are no hard and fast rules except feed + water + time. The rest is up to your own preferences.



Don't use sugar, you'll give yeasts and "bad bacteria" a head start. Don't use ACV, you're just wasting your ACV. As the article I linked said; the bacteria you want is in the air. The feed is what it will consume. You just need feed, water, and time.

I'd take pictures of my incredibly simple setup but I'm currently using an in feed wormer, so I'm fermenting slightly differently.

**I like Spanish style over French style (eugh, runny, luke warm eggs). Onions fried off before hand, then mixed into the egg, with grated cheese and a bit of water, salt and pepper, and then all of it cooked in butter. Peppers are optional. Ketchup is a must. Don't tell me ketchup doesn't go with eggs.

Thank you very much for all of the input. I will probably start a batch this evening and see how it goes.

 

[CuriousQueen]

I started a batch yesterday.