Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[Triple Willow]

@mithious... take a deep breath, you are waaay overthinking it all.

 

[Beekissed]

Thank you Beekissed

and for ALL the info you have given us all!!! I'll be darned, the plain water feed I started last night is BUBBLING already

Beekissed, can I add some more feed, now that it is fermenting so that it is more of an oatmeal consistency? I left abut an inch of water on top of the mixes since last night, stirred regularly and it is bubbling like it's on the stove. They seem to like it much better when it's not so soupy. Will that still keep the fermenting going and keep out that bad bacteria? I did put the covers on tight last night, should I leave them a tad open now that it is fermenting if I make the FF more oat mealy as there won't be that water layer on top to protect from the air? Or???? Thanks

Why are you trying to protect your feed from air?

I see Bekissed went somewhere else? So anyone? I have two big batches going and don't want to have it go bad on me and late day feeding is coming up soon. Will it be ok to make it like an oatmeal mix and not get bad bacteria in it, without that water layer on top and should I leave the tops open now if I do that? Thanks

You all had be busting up laughing on those stories you told ROFLMBO

Here's a new twist. Just cooked up some scrambled eggs for the chicks. The 2 week olds devoured it. The 4 week olds, turned their nose up at it and went back to JUST the FF. That says to me, the 4 week olds are getting all they need just from the FF. Even the higher protein and I am just using the starter crumbles fermented for the chicks, and layer pellets for the year olds until they get used to it.

I did remove the 4 week olds dry feeder last night, JUST removed the 2 week olds dry feeder a bit ago. I am keeping some FF in their brooders at all times to make sure they get what they need as they are in my living room, with my cat here also, no rodents/pests can get at the feed.

So far, I am liking what I am seeing already

Same question...the air is the good guy and it is from the air you will get your wild yeast to inoculate your feed mix. You cannot protect your feed from air in a simple bucket system, no matter how tight you put on a lid or cover it with water. I know what blog site you've been reading for that info and let me just tell you they are very confused....the LABs can reproduce without air because they get oxygen from the organic materials on which they feed, not because you deny them air, which you cannot do anyway because they can reproduce anaerobically.

This might help you...man, I wish folks would not try to find info about FF on that blog. It causes more confusion and misinformation!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_anaerobic_and_aerobic_digestion

Please don't worry about the "harmful bacteria" in the air unless you live in a toxic cesspool and so do your chickens. You don't have to keep water over your feed, a lid on your feed or any other such nonsense. Just relax and keep it simple, let the feed ferment and build some good cultures there and then you can keep your feed at a thicker texture...and no, you don't need water over it. I keep mine like a moist crumble when feeding chick starter and like granola with a smidge of milk in the bottom of the bowl when feeding layer mash. Been doing it that way for 2 years now and not a harmful bacteria one, that I can tell.

Here's another little something to help you determine between molds and yeasts and a nice little page one of our FFers have put together for FAQs:

pdirt gave us this info:

Quote:

And Tikk Tok gave us the FAQs, which is still in progress but pretty darn good so far:

http://tikktok.wordpress.com/2014/04/13/fermented-feed-faq/

 

[mithious]

@mithious... take a deep breath, you are waaay overthinking it all.

OK

Still though, I can't afford to mess up this much feed though. So oatmeal consistency is ok? It won't go bad without a water layer on top now that it is fermenting? Just need a yeah or nay from all of you that are the experts at this.

Shhh don't tell anyone I asked again, k?

 

[mithious]

HUGE thank you Beekissed!!!!!

Off to read the links and add more feed now! Was a tad afraid after turning that test batch to alcohol

All lids are now open by the way

 

[Beekissed]

OK

Still though, I can't afford to mess up this much feed though. So oatmeal consistency is ok? It won't go bad without a water layer on top now that it is fermenting? Just need a yeah or nay from all of you that are the experts at this.

Shhh don't tell anyone I asked again, k?

I won't tell.....

Fermented feed doesn't "go bad" unless someone has been foolish and added all sorts of weird things or killed their good scoby in some weird, caused by their own meddling way. Here's my best tip or example....I NEVER keep water over the feed. Ever. Never. EVER. That's my "yeah" on the matter.

And I'm no expert, nor do I think there are any here, so you'll just have to take our word on it.

 

[Beekissed]

HUGE thank you Beekissed!!!!!

Off to read the links and add more feed now! Was a tad afraid after turning that test batch to alcohol

All lids are now open by the way

Hallelujah!

 

[MargaretYakoda]

OK

Still though, I can't afford to mess up this much feed though. So oatmeal consistency is ok? It won't go bad without a water layer on top now that it is fermenting? Just need a yeah or nay from all of you that are the experts at this.

Shhh don't tell anyone I asked again, k?

Ours hasn't gone bad. We don't always have it oatmeal consistency... but I like it thicker since it's a bit easier to scoop and feed.

 

[Chad Cool]

Day 4 for my Cornish X's!!! they are still all alive and doing well as of this morning. They seem to love the FF. I have them in a brooder right now when should i move to chicken tractor?

 

[armorfirelady]

Quote: I would give them enough so that they finish it. A pound of raw ground beef fed 8 grown hens. I am sure if I gave them more they would eat more. I would just try a little & give them a little more when they finish it. I don't like it to sit out esp since its warmer out. Plus if you cooked it it will last longer in the fridge

Quote: I liked my layer pellets thicker when I used them & never had a problem. I use grains now so its always thick

 

[Triple Willow]

Hi Chad. Congrats on the CX! Bee turns her chicks out to free range with the adult chickens on week three. I have turned mine (first bunch of CX) out at about week four and they are doing great. Ohh yeah, they go nuts for the ff! Where did you get your CX chicks? Do you have pics...???