Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[Gryphon]

:umps fist:: Awesome! My plans of carefully planting information are finally showing results!

 

[B J Hopkins]

I was talking w/an older friend today about FF. She recalls in her younger years she Bought a feed called "Shorts", which they added water to and fed to the hogs and chickens alike. It would ferment and she said it never froze in the winter because of it heat the fermentation created. She grew up in Missouri. They don't seem to sell "Shorts" anymore, but hopefully our FF won't freeze either. I do intend to use the barrel in the hay idea myself.

 

[armorfirelady]

Ok Bee this one is for you........I went to stir the FF today and found this:

I am guessing the white stuff is the Mother ?......it had bubbles as well that are hard to see. It didnt smell bad just like it always does. So I stirred it up & dumped what was in my 2nd bucket system in here with the liquid and stirred it all up real well. I added some alfalfa pellets as well.

And for the winter I made these shelves up to hold the 2 heated dog dishes. One for FF (plastic bowl will sit inside dog bowl for easier feeding) & one for water. I hooked these up to a timer so that it comes on before dawn so water can melt & will stay on till dark.

I used leftover paneling from wainscoting I just put up in my living room & the old chair rail as a lip so the hens dont knock them over. I love to reuse stuff !!!

 

[Beekissed]

This grey mold is what we often shove to one side to get kraut or pickled corn out of a crock...won't kill ya but I wouldn't want to eat it. I'd probably keep it more moist, feed it more and stir it more often to avoid this type of mold on top....just not sure about it at all. I found something similar on the back of my scoop, down in the handle of it...

We'll have to do some research on this, huh?

Here's a pic I took this evening of two large, grade A store bought eggs in the same bowl with one small New Hampshire egg...kudos to the FF! Look at the difference not only in the yolk size and color, but in the difference of the clarity of the whites.

 

[bruceh]

ok. i have finally po'd myself. after cleaning up my coop area from switching back to fermented feed. which took over an hour to do. cleaning chicken poop is just a thrill but necessary. a lot of the cornish x were huddled in an empty feed pan, when there were two full gutter feeders outside the coop area. well i chased the birds off to remove the empty pan and i found a smothered bird at the bottom of the mass. i am just wondering how dumb can these birds be. i chased them out of the coop area so they knew where the feeders were and the idiots ran right back in. just a frustrating day. these are the dumbest birds i have ever worked with and have raised cornish x before. i feel like calling the hatchery and sending this batch back.
i know they had or have a dear abby. i wonder if i could use bee kissed as one for chickens. i can read it now.

dear bee,
i am a frustrated chicken guy. first my chickens xxxxxxxxx. and my rooster xxxxxx.

yours truly,

frustrated

 

[Beekissed]

Dear Frustrated, have you considered chicken therapy or counseling?

Too funny, Bruce! Sorry about your chicken, though.

 

[jeapa]

This grey mold is what we often shove to one side to get kraut or pickled corn out of a crock...won't kill ya but I wouldn't want to eat it.  I'd probably keep it more moist, feed it more and stir it more often to avoid this type of mold on top....just not sure about it at all.  I found something similar on the back of my scoop, down in the handle of it...

We'll have to do some research on this, huh? 

Here's a pic I took this evening of two large, grade A store bought eggs in the same bowl with one small New Hampshire egg...kudos to the FF!   Look at the difference not only in the yolk size and color, but in the difference of the clarity of the whites.

That is a great photo Beekissed. I think our chickens are on steroids...LOL

 

[Miss Lydia]

This grey mold is what we often shove to one side to get kraut or pickled corn out of a crock...won't kill ya but I wouldn't want to eat it. I'd probably keep it more moist, feed it more and stir it more often to avoid this type of mold on top....just not sure about it at all. I found something similar on the back of my scoop, down in the handle of it...

We'll have to do some research on this, huh?

Here's a pic I took this evening of two large, grade A store bought eggs in the same bowl with one small New Hampshire egg...kudos to the FF! Look at the difference not only in the yolk size and color, but in the difference of the clarity of the whites.

Now that one on the right is the one I'd want to eat. I haven't bought store bought eggs in so long I forgot how sickly they look.

 

[finnfur]

Well I have read this tread up to page 90 or so and couldn't stand the suspense so impatient me went to the last page[188 at the time] and started reading backwards.
But its moving constantly and wanted to take the time to thank beekissed and all those that have contributed.
I have 19 blackbroilers [ship 8/29] on the fermented for three weeks. At the same time I moved them to grass. Noticed big drop in feed intake some of which I presume is
related to forage. I notice when I feed they all run to the trough but after a minute most are back to forage.
So far 50# of chick starter , 50 scratch , 25 corn . 25 wheat [ still have 5 gal bucket left and feeding my 19 eggers 3 scoops of same daily [ my scoops are a garden hand trowel packed high ]
BTW the paint stirrer is great . I have been using it for years to mix grain for my deer/turkey food plots. It actually mixes easier when dry then after water is added.

Again thanks to all for the contribution and as I learn I hope to add.

 

[Taniamax]

I use it for sheep, rabbits and cattle...it improves the wool and hair quality, it helps them gain weight, helps overall health and it keeps their rumen balanced and stools nice, firm and shiny. Also gives me more female offspring.

Does it give you more female chicks too? I Wonder why,