Fermented Feeds

[strssdmom]

i would do a half and half between scratch and layer with a good handfull of seeds perserving sot hey get an extra treat thats good for them

Very new to chickens and fermenting food. When you say 1/2 and 1/2 scratch and layer...do you mean layer PELLETS??? Wouldn't that turn into a mushy mess?

 

[chickeemama]

Very new to chickens and fermenting food. When you say 1/2 and 1/2 scratch and layer...do you mean layer PELLETS??? Wouldn't that turn into a mushy mess?

Yes use 1/2 layer pellets or granules and half scratch (whole grains).
It does turn into a mushy mess. I just add more dry to the "fermented pot of mush", until it is about the consistency of stiff mashed potatoes...I feed that. Then add more water to what is left in the "ferment pot". Next day it is bubbling and repeat with more dry.
I will have to say I have 12 turkey poults, 66 chicks about 2 weeks old, and breeder birds. Everybody LOVES it....I put dry crumbles in the brooder too, they do not touch them until the fermented feed is gone. My meaties do not smell nearly as bad either!
I am sold...total convert...bit of a mess, a little more work, but I think it will have many benefits.
Like they can not scratch it out of the feeder, all over the floor! Less waste.

 

[fogandcopper]

Be careful with fermented feeds because too much alcohol can cause very drunk chickens. I have seen them for myself and it is not good. We couldn't eat the eggs for a week.

 

[RoosterLew]

Be careful with fermented feeds because too much alcohol can cause very drunk chickens. I have seen them for myself and it is not good. We couldn't eat the eggs for a week.

If you use proper fermenting methods you do not make alcohol.

 

[chickeemama]

Be careful with fermented feeds because too much alcohol can cause very drunk chickens. I have seen them for myself and it is not good. We couldn't eat the eggs for a week.

Fermenting causes lactic acid or acetic acid depending on the method.......not alcohol.

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

Hi there! I've been reading & reading, tomorrow (Fri) I'm going to start up FF in 2- 5gal buckets. Ok, here's where I'm a little confused. If Fri's 1st batch won't be ready to feed until Sun, do I need to start another bucket on Sat to have a batch ready for Mon.
...Or if just add more dry feed on Sun after I take out what I feed the flock, then that newly added feed should ferment faster than the first batch. Help please. Thank you, Holly

 

[moomoodiddy]

add more feed as u take it out

 

[chickeemama]

Yup, just keep adding feed, if it is where the temp is 70 or so, it ferments very well in 24 hrs by just adding to the leftovers.
I have been using this method for several weeks now. A bit more time consuming, however by birds love it. The best part, I am raising 44 broilers, 5 weeks old today, they don't even stink!!!! they are gaining weight and look great, but very little smell, that is a plus. Besides my birds do not go thru nearly as much water, because their feed is already very moist.

 

[elmtree]

Does anyone know if the Home Depot buckets are safe for FF?

 

[jsp28504]

Would someone please post a photo of the Bloom on top of the FF? I think I may have to scratch the batch I have now, but I want to be sure before doing so. I think it's gone moldy...