Fermented Feeds

[bowen012]

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

Just ask for 'food grade' buckets. They probably sell them - Lowes does. If you have a 'Firehouse Subs' near you, they sell 5g Food Grade Buckets for $2 - the money goes to a good cause to boot.

 

[Debstar1204]

Just a question about fermented feeding. Is it possible to make your chickens sick if you don't get the ferment levels right?
I started fermenting weeks ago and I have 1 sick chook just trying to rule things out that may have contributed to her illness.
I remember thinking my fermented feed stank.. So I added ACV to it to correct the levels. Just not sure if this could be my fault or not.

 

[katyvart]

I am loving this thred. I am thinking to try this.

So I can buy regular food.
Put it in a bucket with ACV, mother, and water (1 inch or so over the top of the seed) - continue to check water level
Stir

It should smell good - not acidic

correct?

I have 6 - pullets:
2 - 4 week old EEs
2 - 3 week old Wyandottes
2 - 3 week old barred rocks

Thanks,
Katy

 

[chickeemama]

Just a question about fermented feeding. Is it possible to make your chickens sick if you don't get the ferment levels right?
I started fermenting weeks ago and I have 1 sick chook

just trying to rule things out that may have contributed to her illness.
I remember thinking my fermented feed stank.. So I added ACV to it to correct the levels. Just not sure if this could be my fault or not.

My fermented feed smells like pickled - sour dough type. I never add any ACV to mine. I originally started with ACV with feed and water. Now I just add dry feed to the fermented to make it the consistency I want (stiff mashed potatoes), I feed that to the birds, then add water to the pot of feed to cover it completely, give a stir and repeat the next day. I am feeding 90 + birds, breeding cages, meaties, turkeys, 4 -6 week olds...have not had any problem. I think as long as you keep the ferment covered with water, no mold will grow, don't think it was you that made her sick! Good luck with her.

 

[Debstar1204]

Thank you for the reply I always had it covered with a tea towel. I didn't think it was this but trying to get to the source of what's wrong with her.
My fermented mix had like a growth on top of the water. I'd scoop it off before feeding is that normal?

 

[chickeemama]

That growth is normal....it is the mother.

 

[SigningChickens]

I have a over grown mother from some kombucha that I forgot to feed. It is all vinegar now. Can I use that mother and vinegar to make fermented feed? The kombucha came from tea.

 

[gypsy767]

TSC has 40 lbs lbs BOSS right now for $20...best price I have found.

 

[RoosterLew]

I have a over grown mother from some kombucha that I forgot to feed. It is all vinegar now. Can I use that mother and vinegar to make fermented feed? The kombucha came from tea.

Don't know what kombucha is? You do not NEED to add anything to make FF. I have read that using something as a "starter" speeds up the process, but honestly I could not tell the difference much when using ACV. It will ferment on its own in a day or so. Once started, just adding more food as you use it keeps it going.

 

[SigningChickens]

It is fermented tea that grows a SCOBY or "mother" and that reproduces into "babies."