Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[aoxa]

If it has moisture it probably will, thats why Bee was talking about putting hers inside hay bales .   I know it would freeze here so I'll keep mine inside. and probably use a heated dog bowl for outside feeding. I can't even smell mine anymore but my son just got here and I have some draining he said what is that smell, so I guess I'm just use to it. But honestly It really doesn't smell bad even when i could smell it. 

For how much feed I go through, having it indoors would not work. Hmm.. Maybe I can figure something out. This interests me, because I'd like to save on feed, and someone sent me here saying they consume less.

Just weighing my options!

 

[Island Roo]

Quote:
Thanks everyone.

I was carrying some baggage from outside this thread when I came here yesterday so it didn’t take much to get me worked up.

Everyone is allowed to have a stupid moment once in a while – that was one of mine. This is a great thread – I'm not going anywhere

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks everyone.

I was carrying some baggage from outside this thread when I came here yesterday so it didn’t take much to get me worked up.

Everyone is allowed to have a stupid moment once in a while – that was one of mine. This is a great thread – I'm not going anywhere

 

[Miss Lydia]

For how much feed I go through, having it indoors would not work. Hmm.. Maybe I can figure something out. This interests me, because I'd like to save on feed, and someone sent me here saying they consume less.
Just weighing my options!

Another option is waiting till spring and starting then, I had 2 5gal. buckets going but fed up the one and am going to just keep 1 going through winter. That way if for some reason It doesn't work out to feed through the winter I just have the one bucket to finish then start again in the spring.

 

[Lacy Blues]

I'm getting my feed barn built. We can't afford to insulate the whole thing so what I'm going to do is build one little "room," more like a closet, that will be all insulated, floor included because my barn will be raised off the ground in an attempt to keep mice out. Anyway, I'm going to build this little room on the south-facing wall and I will put a big window in there. During the day, the window will be able to receive direct sunlight. At night, I will close the window covers which will also be insulated. I'm going to have three 20 gallon buckets sitting in there, each with their own type of grain. When we feed from one, we'll add back in some dry crumbles and fresh grain. This will keep some semblance of variety in their diet. Right now, I feed from two 5 gallon buckets. There's always a little left over so adding a different fresh grain each time I feed is tending to blend together so that they're still getting the exact same thing every day!

Plus, if I use the larger buckets, I will be able to ferment a bit longer between uses.

So, guys, just making a suggestion. You don't have to be building a new barn to add an insulated room and perhaps a window to the south facing wall of your old barn.

 

[Maggiesdad]

Thanks everyone.

I was carrying some baggage from outside this thread when I came here yesterday so it didn’t take much to get me worked up.

Everyone is allowed to have a stupid moment once in a while – that was one of mine. This is a great thread – I'm not going anywhere

 

[Missa Chickabee]

Just a quick report from a Newbie newbie-fermenter:

After I added 'active mother' of ACV, the ferment took off. Put buckets into a darker warmer place, too....in the basement pantry room.
It's gonna get waaay too cold here for me to think about leaving the buckets outside.

SO. 4th day into their new feed. The girls LOVE it! AND.....MY COOP DOESN'T STINK!!!!

19 chickens going for this. I am watching for the increased size of yolks.

Going to save bigtime on the chicken feed bill.

Thanks so much to you all! So grateful...to Americans and Canadians alike.

In fact, I feel so grateful it makes me wanna shed a tear or two... but then, well, I admit it.....I'm Candian-born too!

Dually.

Hugs to all.

PS: If I had the tendonitis in my right arm that my hubby has, I might borrow His electric paint stirrer....but I'm doing fine with the spoon...at least for now. Just wish I wasn't so sloppy down there in the pantry with this stuff. It will help when I rig the hook and chain up today for draining the inner bucket.

PPS: Maggie's dad!....where did you get this very cool emoticon?(group hug one)

 

[Gryphon]

Miss Chickabee, you should take pictures of the eggs you have right now from your hens and then take comparison photos a week from now, see what specific changes occur when switching to f.f.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Just a quick report from a Newbie newbie-fermenter:

After I added 'active mother' of ACV, the ferment took off. Put buckets into a darker warmer place, too....in the basement pantry room.
It's gonna get waaay too cold here for me to think about leaving the buckets outside.

SO. 4th day into their new feed. The girls LOVE it! AND.....MY COOP DOESN'T STINK!!!!

19 chickens going for this. I am watching for the increased size of yolks.

Going to save bigtime on the chicken feed bill.

Thanks so much to you all! So grateful...to Americans and Canadians alike.

In fact, I feel so grateful it makes me wanna shed a tear or two... but then, well, I admit it.....I'm Candian-born too!

Dually.

Hugs to all.

PS: If I had the tendonitis in my right arm that my hubby has, I might borrow His electric paint stirrer....but I'm doing fine with the spoon...at least for now. Just wish I wasn't so sloppy down there in the pantry with this stuff. It will help when I rig the hook and chain up today for draining the inner bucket.

PPS: Maggie's dad!....where did you get this very cool emoticon?(group hug one)

That is so cute...

 

[Island Roo]

I think that stirrer is a great idea, especially for those who may find it painfulon their hands and wrists to manually stir. Of course, I think it's a good idea because I mentioned it a few weeks ago.

I dont recall that but i found your post. I guess i owe you royalties when i get rich from selling fermented poultry feed mixers (patend pending) LOL