Fermented water in chicks drinking water

[pibb]

Anyone ever use the fermented water from fermenting grains in chicks drinking water?

I don't plan on giving them the grains, just the water part. I have some cracked corn that I can ferment and strain the water off. Can I use it straight or do you need to cut it with water? How much?

 

[azygous]

I see no reason not to give it a try. But I suggest you go easy with it in order to observe the consequences rather than to put it in their drinking water.

Just provide a small waterer, such as a chick water bottle, and give no more than a quarter cup per chicken, then let them sample it free choice.

Observe their poop for possible diarrhea, not to say you can expect it, but it's one reason to ease into this a little at a time.

 

[pibb]

I haven't found any information on this method of giving probiotics.

 

[azygous]

I haven't heard of this method either. Not to say that it doesn't have merit because we haven't heard of it. Others may be along to say they are doing it. Threads can grow like that with all sorts of information from people with different experiences.

Another thing I would suggest is to give the ferment water fresh each day separate from their regular clean water. This would be to avoid bacteria growth in the ferment water from the chickens beaks and saliva.

Please keep your thread updated with the results of this little experiment. You may be on to something.

 

[pibb]

The only thing I can compare this to is ACV in water for chicks for pasty butt. I have given them 2 tsp ACV per quart of de-chlorinated water which is acetic acid bacteria. So maybe I can give them 2 tsp of lactic acid bacteria per quart of de-chlorinated water which is this fermented feed water (FFW).

I'm thinking give them 2 tsp per gallon of de-chlorinated water for one day, every 3 days.

 

[azygous]

It's your science experiment. Let us know how things go.

 

[pibb]

I fermented 1/2 cup cracked corn per 1 cup of water for 3 days in my closet. I didn't need much liquid but I guess that gives an ideal of the potentcy of the lactic acid bacteria.

I poured 2 tsp of the fermented water in a quart of drinking water for a little less than a day because they drank it all. That was their only water source. Everything seemed to go fine. Didn't notice any diarrhea or anything else for that matter. I have another round fermenting and will give it in a few days.

 

[pibb]

I've given 3 tsp of the fermented water per quart the past couple times and everyting seems fine.