Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[Robert M]

Well hey! Welcome back! Since you haven't read far enough through the thread to reach it, you do NOT need to cover your mix with water! You do NOT need to strain the mix to feed it! You do NOT need panty hose (who wears those anymore?) to cover it! Don't worry about dirt/bugs getting into it... should that happen, the birds won't care in any case. They eat bugs, so a little added protein, & they scratch around and eat their own poop!

Just mix it up to the consistency of a loose oatmeal. Too soupy? add a bit more feed/grain. Too dry? add a bit more water. Then just stir/mix it up and let it set! You can stir it a few times if you want, but not really necessary... In 3-4 days (less if warm/hot, more if cool/cold) you'll be good to go. The grains will absorb most of the excess liquid and it should be like a firm oatmeal when you serve it. no muss, no fuss, no straining, and your birds will love you for it! When the bucket is almost empty, (leave a couple cups as a "starter" for the next batch) just add more water and feed/grain, give it a good stir/mix, and overnight it will ferment and be ready to go for breakfast!

How about adding a packet of dry yeast to the water (at 110°) before mixing. When you save a bit, it will be a better starter.

 

[lazy gardener]

The idea is good, but it's the wrong kind of yeast. (I think)

 

[Robert M]

The idea is good, but it's the wrong kind of yeast. (I think)

No, it's wine yeast. Bread yeast isn't good for fermenting as much as Red StarMontrachet, but it'll work. I make beer, wine and applejack, so I keep tuned in. Wine yeast is more pure than Fleishmann's.
But, ahhhhh, maybe you don't want your chickee-boos to get inebriated. LMAO

 

[katbriar]

You don't need to add anything to start the fermentation (bread yeast, wine yeast, brewers yeast, kefir, buttermilk, sauerkraut juice, kombucha, yogurt, sourdough starter). Not one other thing but feed and water. There are naturally occurring agents floating around in the air that will start a balanced process for you.

(And yes, this thread has had all those starter suggestions and more.) no need to do anything hard!

 

[Latestarter]

Egg-zactly... what ^ she said. It will ferment regardless and in spite of you

 

[Robert M]

Egg-zactly... what ^ she said. It will ferment regardless and in spite of you

OR, there is NO "in spite" I just made a suggestion. If you don't like it, take it back to the bus, mate!

Aufwiedersehen...

 

[katbriar]

OR, there is NO "in spite"  I just made a suggestion.  If you don't like it, take it back to the bus, mate!

Aufwiedersehen...

Are you being grumpy or did that mean something I didn't understand?

 

[h2oratt]

Ok I am going to try this. The easy way.

 

[Robert M]

Are you being grumpy or did that mean something I didn't understand?

ME? No, not being grumpy, just a little levity. Sorry, I guess it came across wrong. Thing that makes me "grumpy" is stupidity... and I see NO stupid people here, just those that know and those who wish to learn.

Be well and have a good one.

Bob

 

[eviemethugh]

I wish I could read all 1700 pages here, but... I've read the first few pages and a few things here and there...I am *kind of* interested in fermenting feed. We do use grain based. So I have two questions: with the intense summer heat, our area has not had any rain and it's getting pretty hard on the meaties. They never run out of water, but the grass is dried up and there just isn't much escape from the heat even in the shade (which they do have all day long.) so my first question is, does this add any moisture benefit that would help them find comfort in the summer? I feel like I've read that...but can't remember where.
Second, if this increases protein, do I need to mix their ration with something like oatmeal to lower the protein to normal levels?
Thanks everyone! I'm going to keep on reading while I wait to hear.