FERMENTED FEEDS...anyone using them?

[lazy gardener]

I ferment only 24 hours worth at a time during the warm months. As for getting birds to try the "Scary new blob" in their feed dish, you can put some dry on top of it. Make sure it is not too wet. I make mine about the consistency of mashed potato. You could also try mixing a bit of scratch grain into the ferment to start. And don't give them a whole lot.

 

[proudmommie31]

I tried FF last week. My girls would not touch it. I have 2 Buff Orpingtons 23 weeks old. I never smelled the "sweet smell",I fermented it for 4 days. We are using the layer crumbles by Purina.
I also have 2 Cochin chicks that I FF with chick starter that did smell sweet and used it 3 or 4 days then it smelled very bad... Is it supposed to go bad that soon?
Also since its just those 2 Buffs eating it, I have no clue how much to make per day.. If they don't eat it all (out of the container) can I use it for a few days then add to the mix? Will any leftovers in the batch go bad within a few days?

I have fermented Purina Flock raiser and it never smelled sweet. And could get pretty strong after a few days (my husband gagged lol but it wasn't a rotting smell), I'm guessing that whats happened to yours. My experience with Purina Flock raiser was it smelled bad fermented. I now use Nutrena NatureWise and right from the opening of the bag it has a sweet grain smell and never loses it, even when fermenting. I like it so much better. I make a big bucket using the back slop method. The first time ever I fermented it for 3 days, now I use from the bucket until theres maybe a cup left, re-fill it with feed and water again, mix and the next day it's ready to be fed out to the chickens. Ive had no issues with mold or anything like that, but it can get stronger smelling as you reach the bottom of the bucket, especially if its hot out. You can certainly sprinkle a little dry over the FF but just make sure that's the only food you give them. They'll get hungry and eat it. I've not met a chicken that won't eat all kinds of crazy stuff when they are hungry. They just aren't used to it. I started my second flock right off on it and they come running whenever they see the bucket......unless they just decimated the flower bed and are full

 

[igorsMistress]

I've been fermenting pigeon feed and giving it as scratch. When the scratch is gone I separate most of the liquid and add to feed for a couple days while I ferment some more. They seem to enjoy this as a change of pace.

 

[HazelandPearl]

I have fermented Purina Flock raiser and it never smelled sweet. And could get pretty strong after a few days (my husband gagged lol but it wasn't a rotting smell), I'm guessing that whats happened to yours. My experience with Purina Flock raiser was it smelled bad fermented. I now use Nutrena NatureWise and right from the opening of the bag it has a sweet grain smell and never loses it, even when fermenting. I like it so much better. I make a big bucket using the back slop method. The first time ever I fermented it for 3 days, now I use from the bucket until theres maybe a cup left, re-fill it with feed and water again, mix and the next day it's ready to be fed out to the chickens. Ive had no issues with mold or anything like that, but it can get stronger smelling as you reach the bottom of the bucket, especially if its hot out. You can certainly sprinkle a little dry over the FF but just make sure that's the only food you give them. They'll get hungry and eat it. I've not met a chicken that won't eat all kinds of crazy stuff when they are hungry. They just aren't used to it. I started my second flock right off on it and they come running whenever they see the bucket......unless they just decimated the flower bed and are full

For 2 chickens should I ferment like 3 cups and serve them one cup a day? Not sure how much they need... thanks for the awesome reply!!!

 

[lazy gardener]

The standard is .25 - .3# of dry feed per chicken per day, assuming that they have no other feed material available. How much have you been feeding them?

For 2 chickens, I'd ferment in a container that holds approximately 2 qt. This will give you the expansion room you need, and you can play around with it to see how much they do eat in a day.

 

[HazelandPearl]

They have a homemade automatic feeder... so I have no clue!

 

[proudmommie31]

For 2 chickens should I ferment like 3 cups and serve them one cup a day? Not sure how much they need... thanks for the awesome reply!!!

That would be a good place to start I think. I don't so much pay attention to how many cups, but I have 18 chickens lol. I just kept playing around with how much I needed to put in the pan that would disappear by tomorrow ( I feed once a day). So yeah, start with 3-4 cups, after you've fermented it, dish out a cup. See how long it takes them to eat it. If they always act starved they need more, if they take 2 days to get through a dish, they need a little less. I aim for them to finish their pan in a 24 hour period. Do they free range at all? If not, you'll find out how fast they go through it and how much they'll eat in day. Mine free range too so they don't go through as much right now since its summer and they are out and about looking for bugs and other tasties. I did notice just recently that, even through we went through a insane heat wave for MI, they didn't go through a ton of water and never acted dehydrated, due to the extra water in the feed. They are also super healthy, bright eyes and quite active. I think once your chickens get used to it, they will love the fermented stuff. They just aren't big fans of change lol

 

[HazelandPearl]

View attachment 1468586 View attachment 1468587 View attachment 1468588 Just started a batch for the big girls and the babies. Also do y’all use the ACV with the mother in the fermenting?
Hopefully hey eat it this time. Should I not open the container until day three or 4? I open and stirred quite a bit last time. Maybe I’ll cover their feeder and see if I can get them to eat this. They free range in our medium sized backyard for the better part of the afternoon. But we are fencing off a part for them because they are pooping on our nice pavers!
By the way here’s our girls! Hazel Pearl Thelma and Louise!

 

[lazy gardener]

No need for the ACV. The surrounding air will provide all of the necessary microbes. If you have ACV with the mother, you can certainly put a tsp. in, but it is totally not necessary. You should not keep the container covered. When getting started with the fermenting process, it's especially important to have good air circulation. If you are concerned about insects, you can lay some cheese cloth or a tea towel across the top. After my ferment is going well, I cover it loosely with a lid to keep insects out. But, it's often left open as well.

 

[proudmommie31]

I stir mine once a day, sometimes twice. I cover it with a cheesecloth otherwise to keep stuff from landing in it. Def don’t cover it tightly with anything, it will explode! The gases caused by fermenting need to be able to escape. I don’t use anything but feed and water.