Fermented Feeds

[Rhinoman]

I would assume if it makes sense to ferment feed than it makes very good sense to ferment the feed for chicks.

I make my own food from equal parts: cracked corn, rolled oats, barley, wheat bran, alfalfa with 5% fish meal and 5% BOSS. The mixture ferments for three days and is fed to 23 chickens and 2 ducks. I keep the old water and use it for my new bucket. Grit and oyster shell are freely available.

This spring when I receive my heritage chicks I plan to grind this mixture, use the same fermenting routine and feed it to my chicks.

I'm very nervous about doing this. The chickens I have now where all started on medicated feed. I only read about fermented feed and natural methods when they were a few months old, than I switched to fermented feed.

The chicks I will be receiving this spring are important to me and my breeder. How do I know if my food is good? 20 mixed hatchery hens are giving me 8-10 eggs a day with a real hard shell. We live in NH it's been fairly cold. Can I assume my hens must be healthy and hence the feed fermented and not spoiled.

 

[LindaB220]

I would assume if it makes sense to ferment feed than it makes very good sense to ferment the feed for chicks.

I make my own food from equal parts: cracked corn, rolled oats, barley, wheat bran, alfalfa with 5% fish meal and 5% BOSS. The mixture ferments for three days and is fed to 23 chickens and 2 ducks. I keep the old water and use it for my new bucket. Grit and oyster shell are freely available.

This spring when I receive my heritage chicks I plan to grind this mixture, use the same fermenting routine and feed it to my chicks.

I'm very nervous about doing this. The chickens I have now where all started on medicated feed. I only read about fermented feed and natural methods when they were a few months old, than I switched to fermented feed.

The chicks I will be receiving this spring are important to me and my breeder. How do I know if my food is good? 20 mixed hatchery hens are giving me 8-10 eggs a day with a real hard shell. We live in NH it's been fairly cold. Can I assume my hens must be healthy and hence the feed fermented and not spoiled.

This sounds like a perfect mix. Exactly what I'm going to do with my new babies coming Dec 16. I'm new but have done a lot of reading on the big FF threads. Lots of pages but sooo much info available. Good luck with yours.

 

[Brada Puhi]

Aloha, I feed FF to my babies.

aloha, Puhi

 

[Brada Puhi]

Aloha kākou,

As my flock gets bigger and older, Iʻm gonna have to graduate to the 5 gallon bucket system. These buggers are hungry!

Aloha, Puhi

 

[mlongworth]

Quick question. I started my first small test batch today. Should it be covered in water or just wet. Thanks.

 

[Pooman]

Covered, I have a good couple of inches of water before u hit feed. Should smell like a yoghurt factory or bread after a few days

 

[LindaB220]

Aloha kākou,

As my flock gets bigger and older, Iʻm gonna have to graduate to the 5 gallon bucket system. These buggers are hungry!

Aloha, Puhi

Brada, that just makes sense. It lasts for weeks and you can just keep adding to it. One lady uses a plastic trash can and uses a canoe paddle to stir it.

 

[LindaB220]

Quick question. I started my first small test batch today. Should it be covered in water or just wet. Thanks.

Keep check after a few hours and add more water if needed. It ends up looking like thick oatmeal

 

[Rhinoman]

This sounds like a perfect mix. Exactly what I'm going to do with my new babies coming Dec 16. I'm new but have done a lot of reading on the big FF threads. Lots of pages but sooo much info available. Good luck with yours.

Are you going to grind it up?

I found a grinder at Premier 1 for $389. I figure I'd grind the dry mix than ferment as I do with the regular whole grains.

 

[LindaB220]

Are you going to grind it up?

I found a grinder at Premier 1 for $389. I figure I'd grind the dry mix than ferment as I do with the regular whole grains.

No need to. In fact It's better if the grains are whole. They are so soft after fermentation that grinding them would create a soupy mush. Think dry like wet cement. Unless you just want to buy a grinder, don't do it.
Google/books has a lot of old poultry and raising chickens books available FREE. Check them out. So much info by the true experts 100 yrs ago or more. I have found a goldmine.