Fermenting chicken feed, Good idea?

Have you heard of fermented feed?


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I have been doing ff for a few months now and love doing it for my four birds. I have two coffee cans and only ferment for 48 hours (I live in florida )so make one can a day and alternate them. I also use a one gallon paint strainer and I just lift it out drain it and pace it in the dog bowel also feed black soldier fly larva most days they wait to eat the ff if they think I going to give the the bsf larva
Pete
 
I have been doing ff for a few months now and love doing it for my four birds. I have two coffee cans and only ferment for 48 hours (I live in florida )so make one can a day and alternate them. I also use a one gallon paint strainer and I just lift it out drain it and pace it in the dog bowel also feed black soldier fly larva most days they wait to eat the ff if they think I going to give the the bsf larva
Pete

Envious of your BSF - I gave it a try this year, but it got too hot, cooked everything. Moved my barrel composter to a cooler, more shaded, area but haven't restarted yet - letting the greener finish going to seed first before I mow it down and add it to the barrel with scraps to attract the BSF to the compost.
 
Yeah, it's just also a lot of effort to ferment and egg hens do well without the constant probiotic boost so I don't think the benefits are worth my time. Much better instead to put my effort towards more tangible projects like treat balls and the like IMO.
What effort?? Put feed in a container - Add water - Stir - Wait 2 days.
 
I'll see if I can scrounge up another jar from somewhere, but thanks for the suggestion!
I would recommend starting a small batch first to get the ferment started. It's the same principal as sourdough bread - maybe you have tried that? Regarding the "smell" ... I love it!
 
I did FF only for a flock of 82.. for 2+ years.. because of all they hype..

I saved NOT ONE dime.. and wasted a whole lot of time. :rolleyes:

It was fun to try though. If saving money is your goal.. there are better ways in my experience.. Just going to the right store can save me more than $2 a bag. But I'm gonna include some FF links.. with lots of discussion including why it's a waste to me for your review instead of giving my spew again..

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fermenting-feed-and-protein-levels.1274554/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fermented-feed-is-it-really-a-superfood.1277016/

https://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.com/p/fermented-feed.html?m=1

https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajb/article/viewFile/60378/48610

Hope you find good information and have a good time along the way! :)
I like FF and I find it no effort, minimal time. As to saving money... firstly they eat about the same amount of food, I use layers pellets and it swells up 3 to 4 times volume but that just means they eat 3 to 4 times as much. secondly... they don't flick it about so none gets wasted in that way. thirdly...Love that sourdough smell!
 
FF can be eaten at any stage (just like sauerkraut) I do not drain, if it's too sloppy I add more pellets. I take what I need each day and then top up with more water and more pellets. Every week or less I use a new container with some of the original ferment as a starter. And every few weeks I start a new ferment. Only problem I've had is that one of the birds keeps getting his beak caked up.
 
My advice on these things.. go small and enjoy them for what they are enrichment for us and them. A value in it's own right.. despite not being $ saving per say.
YES! I love trying new things. Not all of them work or save money or are worth the time or effort, but I learn from them. That is one of my goals too.
 

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