Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[Turk Raphael]

I have a question but first a statement: Like many chicken keepers, there is almost always more eggs than a small family could even force themselves to eat, so again, like others, we boiled the eggs and fed them back to the birds. To the question: Would there be any cons to submerging the whole pealed boiled egg into the ff 'broth' for a few days?

I have considered washing an onion bag to keep them all together and be able to pull them out at will. It might be a border-line stupid question, but you might want to get used to those from me.

 

[Kassaundra]

I have a question but first a statement: Like many chicken keepers, there is almost always more eggs than a small family could even force themselves to eat, so again, like others, we boiled the eggs and fed them back to the birds. To the question: Would there be any cons to submerging the whole pealed boiled egg into the ff 'broth' for a few days?

I have considered washing an onion bag to keep them all together and be able to pull them out at will. It might be a border-line stupid question, but you might want to get used to those from me.

For what purpose?????? The egg is perfectly designed to be easily digested by most all animals including chickens. Fermenting grains makes them more digestible so the monogastric animals can get the maximum nutrition from them, eggs do not need this to be digestible. IMO you are just increasing the possibility of introducing bacteria your ferment can't overcome, or stressing them out, making them work harder to fight off other microbes for their "share of the space"



The protein % question .................................................... FERMENTING NEVER ADDS PROTIEN TO ANY FOOD, EVER ................................................ it maximizes the available protein in such a way that the body can better use it, so more is absorbed in digestion less is pooped out. A grain that has 12% protein will not get more protein by fermenting, but a higher percentage of that 12% protein will be useful to the animal and digested.

 

[thedude]

Yes but it allows your chickens to absorb more the nutrients that would otherwise end up in the poop. The smell is so much better and by fermenting you save a lot of feed that would be lost. Win Win

Oh I wasn't considering stopping FF, it was just a bummer that it only increased the protein by a small percentage. I'm all on board with less stinky poop, less food, etc. etc. I'm already seeing a very significant reduction in feed for both my hens and meat birds. That alone is enough for me.

I was hoping to be able to use the cheaper lay pellets that have 16% protein and ferment to get the higher protein. I suspected that it wasn't going to be as easy as adding the numbers and getting the 28% protein that's why I posted.

Thanks!

Quote:
From this thread and others I've read that the fermenting increases the protein by 12%. Adding protein would take a supplement to do that - fish meal, etc.. But my take on all the info presented was that the bacterial action broke down the grains, etc. and increased the protein available in the existing feed by 12%. My mistake was "hoping" you just added the 12% to the 16% of the lay pellets to get super food!

I knew in my gut that wasn't likely correct so that's why I posted the question.

 

[thedude]

Well, 12 percent of 16 is 1.92, 12% of 20 is 2.4. So it just depends.

Ok, got it. It's a math thing, always hated math......

 

[LindaB220]

Oh I wasn't considering stopping FF, it was just a bummer that it only increased the protein by a small percentage. I'm all on board with less stinky poop, less food, etc. etc. I'm already seeing a very significant reduction in feed for both my hens and meat birds. That alone is enough for me.

I was hoping to be able to use the cheaper lay pellets that have 16% protein and ferment to get the higher protein. I suspected that it wasn't going to be as easy as adding the numbers and getting the 28% protein that's why I posted.

Thanks!


From this thread and others I've read that the fermenting increases the protein by 12%. Adding protein would take a supplement to do that - fish meal, etc.. But my take on all the info presented was that the bacterial action broke down the grains, etc. and increased the protein available in the existing feed by 12%. My mistake was "hoping" you just added the 12% to the 16% of the lay pellets to get super food!

I knew in my gut that wasn't likely correct so that's why I posted the question.

Yeah, it would be nice.

I bump mine up by feeding meat and food scraps or boss along with the FF. Not at the same time. Or adding Boss to the FF A lot of weeds and seeds. They get enough. And are happy.

 

[Triple Willow]

I have a question but first a statement:  Like many chicken keepers, there is almost always more eggs than a small family could even force themselves to eat, so again, like others, we boiled the eggs and fed them back to the birds.  To the question:  Would there be any cons to submerging the whole pealed boiled egg into the ff 'broth' for a few days? 

I have considered washing an onion bag to keep them all together and be able to pull them out at will.  It might be a border-line stupid question, but you might want to get used to those from me.  

Don't you know any elderly folks that could use some good nutrition that you could give the eggs to??? Maybe a family that is having a hard time???

 

[Turk Raphael]

Don't you know any elderly folks that could use some good nutrition that you could give the eggs to??? Maybe a family that is having a hard time???

'Guilt Trip' ? We give plenty to charity, thank you so much ...but it didn't answer my question.

I'm forgetting the onion bags. Since we're painting the whole interior of the house, I just found a box full of nylon paint strainer bags which should hold at least 2 dozen large eggs.

Fermented eggs should not be anything but good for adult birds but I'm wondering for in the long haul, if they would help/harm/ chicks.

Turk

 

[LindaB220]

'Guilt Trip' ? We give plenty to charity, thank you so much ...but it didn't answer my question.

I'm forgetting the onion bags. Since we're painting the whole interior of the house, I just found a box full of nylon paint strainer bags which should hold at least 2 dozen large eggs.

Fermented eggs should not be anything but good for adult birds but I'm wondering for in the long haul, if they would help/harm/ chicks.

Turk

Not a guilt trip, just a suggestion, but to answer you question. Why not put a few boiled eggs in a bag and ferment it. See if it's worth your time and effort. My family goes through 1 1/2 doz a week. It's going to increase dramatically. Stuffed eggs, morning egg casseroles, quiches. Endless ideas. Still won't be enough. I have 14 pullets that are going to start in 8 wks at least 10 a day. So yeah, I'll be feeding a lot to my chickens and also sending some around to friends and neighbors. I lived at an elderly apt complex a couple of years ago. They would be thrilled to see me and my extras.

 

[Turk Raphael]

Not a guilt trip, just a suggestion, but to answer you question. Why not put a few boiled eggs in a bag and ferment it. See if it's worth your time and effort. My family goes through 1 1/2 doz a week. It's going to increase dramatically. Stuffed eggs, morning egg casseroles, quiches. Endless ideas. Still won't be enough. I have 14 pullets that are going to start in 8 wks at least 10 a day. So yeah, I'll be feeding a lot to my chickens and also sending some around to friends and neighbors. I lived at an elderly apt complex a couple of years ago. They would be thrilled to see me and my extras.

I'm certain Triple Willow meant no harm and I certainly didn't take it that way. I don't mind someone suggesting helping the less fortunate/elderly but I was hoping there might have been just a little effort to shed some light on my question in the post.

I really hate to begin giving eggs to people because they learn to expect them and when the time comes that I'm don't have them, I feel bad for the people and I don't like to feel bad. As I said, we give a lot of resources to help the elderly and other unfortunate people. In fact, If I posted what we do, It wouldn't be believed. That's it.

Turk

 

[Triple Willow]

I have a question for the ff old timers. Is this mold? Is it bad? Is it questionable? I let an almost empty (about 2" of ff) bucket sit for about four days and when I opened it I found this.