Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[Beekissed]

Depends on your ambient temps, type of water used, grains used, method used (adding a jump start or not), etc. It varies by hours to days, depending on these variables. I always tell folks it will take as long as it takes.

Sort of like when folks ask when their chickens will lay...the variables are enough that I usually tell them they will know when they are laying by when they find eggs in the nests.

 

[RoseMarie1]

About how long does it take for the FF to be ready?

It varies due to the temps. Mine was bubbling by that evening but it was hot outside to. But it wasn't a good ferment yet as in, good vitamins and stuff but it was starting.





edited to add: now I see Bee answered the question. Didn't see it before.

 

[kuntrygirl]

I think Bee touched on rice previously too, and it can be used, its a starch so it can be a benefit on lowering protein levels too. I know someone who cuts there game bird feed with rice to feed their layers and it works out great.
And Hogster160 is right, if they're are thriving Great! Don't over think it, a base line idea is good to have in case an issue does arise you can diagnose it and make adjustments if feed is suspected but they'll let you know if somethin is up usually by observation or drop in egg production.
I save by Fermenting what's on hand (lotsa trades for feed recently lol but free of spending) what's on sale when I buy and cutting with 3 to 4 grains scratch type mixes. (got a lot to feed? Buy grains individually and mix your own n save even more cost over buying premixed)

I just use my all flock pellets and add to it some scratch, about 1/2 and 1/2.  Since winter is coming in, and they are in molt atm (layers), I have been adding some BOSS.  The chickens and I seem to like it a little thicker. Like oatmeal.  The pellets will break down to mush.  The scratch does swell up too.   The chick starter is crumble, ends up the same as pellets.   I don't really worry about the protein %.  They are eating, flying,  growing and loving life.   I watch the flocks a lot.  See how they are doing.  That's what I've learned here, from so many helpful people.  They will let us know they need something more.  I just have to be observant enough to see.  Then I will change things up if I need to.  But so far, all is good.

Not sure about rough rice as I've not had a chance to use it.  I would wait on Bee and ask her.

Sounds good.

I currently feed all of my chickens 26% gamebird but I add corn and other ingredients to get that protein down for them (layers specifically).

 

[Angelicisi]

Depends on a lot of things (temp/stirring initial batch/starter like ACV or no starter)...usually 48 hours. My smaller batches are ready in 24, sometimes 3-4 days for large batches I do but that's rare here. Kadsandra has a great LARGE batch going too in a barrel I think, Bee kissed also I think does big batches?

About how long does it take for the FF to be ready?

 

[kuntrygirl]

Ok, I'm searching this thread for the recipe/ingredients. Does anyone know the Post # for the recipe, so that I can print it out?


Can rough rice be used as part of the FF recipe? I know I will use crumble and corn. Does anyone use pellets and how well do pellets break down to mash? Is it better to use crumble instead of pellets? Would 26% protein be too high for broilers? Although after adding corn, it will bring the protein percentage down.


Thanks

I'm not sure about the rice as I have never used it.  There is no recipe, just whatever feeds you currently use.  If you are using a higher than 16 % for layers, it's a good idea to cut it a little with a lower percentage protein grain, as the FF will increase proteins, making it a much richer feed.  For broilers, I'd cut a 26% protein ration WAY down...probably to 20% if you want them to have a slower, more natural growth.  I'd be worried about renal, liver and cardio problems with a high pro feed such as that, even for the short time they will be on it....such is the source of "flip", leg joint problems, etc. from excess protein in the diet that cannot be fully metabolized by such a young animal. 

The whole idea with increasing the proteins with the use of FF is so that you can take a feed with a certain protein, cut it with a cheaper grain, and still have the same feed proteins you originally bought with the use of fermentation...and thus how one saves on feed costs by diluting the expensive feed with cheaper grains.  There are some feed cost savings associated with having to feed less total feed, but to get the full savings, one can cut the expensive feed with a cheaper one to get the same nutrition as using 100% of the expensive feed.  It doesn't do much good to feed a high pro expensive feed, ferment it, feed it as is~without utilizing a cheaper feed to bring the proteins down~ and never gain the advantage of saving on the feed.  That's just taking a high pro expensive feed and making it even more high pro..which will increase health risks to the bird and still not save you much on money. 

Makes sense to me. I understand.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Depends on a lot of things (temp/stirring initial batch/starter like ACV or no starter)...usually 48 hours. My smaller batches are ready in 24, sometimes 3-4 days for large batches I do but that's rare here. Kadsandra has a great LARGE batch going too in a barrel I think, Bee kissed also I think does big batches?

About how long does it take for the FF to be ready?

I would have to keep it in the garage where the temps are warmer because inside the house is cold because of the wine that I make.

 

[RoseMarie1]

I would have to keep it in the garage where the temps are warmer because inside the house is cold because of the wine that I make.

lol put one on one side of the house and the other one on the other side of the house. I do milk kefir and have read if you also do breads to put them at least 10 or so feet apart. So my ff is in the utility room and the kefir is on the cabinet far away from the ff.

 

[Beekissed]

I would have to keep it in the garage where the temps are warmer because inside the house is cold because of the wine that I make.

Nah...yer in LA. You could keep it right out at your coops in large cans like that, much like Kassaundra...she leaves hers out all winter and even gets a little ice rim on it and it ferments well there. It has longer to sit and ferment in large batches like that. Mine is fermenting well in my coop right now and we are in 30s-50s weather right now...when we get into the steady 30s and since mine is in a smaller container, I'm thinking I'll switch mine to a heated bucket and leave it right there in the coop where living~and feeding~is easy.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Can someone direct me to Kassaundra's link so I can see how much feed/grains, water, ACV, etc that I need to start off with for the 30 gallon trash can batch?

And how much of all of those would I need for a 5 gallon bucket? How much water? ACV? Feed/grains?

 

[Angelicisi]

Exactly...for the meaties anywhere inbetween should work great

Sounds good.

I currently feed all of my chickens 26% gamebird but I add corn and other ingredients to get that protein down for them (layers specifically).