Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[Beekissed]

I keep a lid on my feed bucket with just one side snapped down and one side slightly open. I only feed twice a day, so there is no feed for flies to get on by the time the CX are through...heck, I'd dare a fly to light on that stuff while they are around. He wouldn't live to fly another day...

If any manage to get inside the feed bucket and into the mix, I count them as extra protein and feed them along with the FF.

If you don't want to keep a lid on it, you could rubber band a piece of cloth or nylon screen over the bucket.

Here's something to try in your coop/pen. I know it sounds funny and I thought so too when I heard it on here but it actually works like a charm. The vanilla pine tree shaped air fresheners will keep the fly population down a good bit in the coop and in your house or car. I lived where they spread chicken and turkey litter filled with fly maggots on the fields next to me and they all hatch and come to my place to live twice a year. It normally looks like Lord of the Flies is being filmed on my porch, in my coop and in my house and truck...until I started using the vanilla trees.

I tried using vanilla fresheners of another kind and brand but they didn't work the same...it was the trees and they worked great!

 

[galanie]

I use the "panty" part of an old pair of panty hose with the legs tied off over the top of the bucket to keep the flies out. This is a 5 gallon bucket. Works like a charm. There are still flies all over feeder even if they clean up all the feed. But none around the fermenting bucket since they can't get in it.

 

[doubleatraining]

I just sat here and read 23 pages of posts. Now I'm off to find a SUPER small drill bit, buckets, lid and that bag of cracked corn I thought I would have to throw away. Going to mix 50/50 grower mash and corn until I can find another whole grain source.

So....has anyone tried beet pulp in the fermented mix for the birds?

 

[Beekissed]

Here are a few studies or articles done on it:

http://jcsp.org.pk/index.php/jcsp/article/viewFile/516/215

http://www.livestrong.com/article/550599-beet-pulp-vs-rice-bran-for-weight-gain/

 

[doubleatraining]

Here are a few studies or articles done on it:

http://jcsp.org.pk/index.php/jcsp/article/viewFile/516/215

http://www.livestrong.com/article/550599-beet-pulp-vs-rice-bran-for-weight-gain/

 

Thank you for the articles. I use to use beet pulp for my horses when I had a rescue that needed to put on weight. I think I'll grab a bag to put some in with the grain and corn until I get a hang of this. I'm going to take pictures and post them on my blog and I will share updates. I'm going to feed the fermented feed to the chicks, cornishX, and my Delaware quad.

 

[blueferral]

very cool info, thanks

 

[Beekissed]

Thank you for the articles. I use to use beet pulp for my horses when I had a rescue that needed to put on weight. I think I'll grab a bag to put some in with the grain and corn until I get a hang of this. I'm going to take pictures and post them on my blog and I will share updates. I'm going to feed the fermented feed to the chicks, cornishX, and my Delaware quad.

That would be wonderful! I'll look into the prices of beet pulp myself and see if it something that is economical and can add to the variety of nutrients that I now feed. I'm also thinking of incorporating some alfalfa even though these birds have forage...I'd really like to see if that increases the available protein/nutrients and extends the feed even more.

 

[myhubbycallsmechickeemama]

So when you incorporate alfalfa into your feed are you going to ferment it also or just add it to it when you feed? I'm also curious about grit...should I just add it into the feed when I get ready to feed them. They do need grit with the grain, correct?

 

[Beekissed]

I'll ferment it. I'll go slow with it and see how it goes and if they are receptive to it. The other day I crushed egg shells and fermented them and these crazy birds picked all around them and didn't eat them the first go round but the shells were finally cleaned up in subsequent feedings.

I wouldn't place grit in the feed but you can offer it free choice if they aren't free ranged and can obtain their own. I gave my chicks some free choice when I switched to the whole grains and they really attacked it at first but barely partook of it thereafter so I'm assuming they are finding appropriate grit out on their foraging jaunts.

 

[doubleatraining]

I figure I'll drop 2-3 alfalfa cubes in per batch and see how that goes. I don't plan on tweaking with the "recipe" until I make sure they are going to do well on it. I'll save egg shells to put in batches for my layers.

I just came in from starting my first batch. Its going to take me a little longer since I don't have any UP/ACV and don't plan on dumping my UP Milk in there....gag a maggot!

FRIENDLY TIP:
When filling your buckets the first time put PLENTY of water in the bottom bucket, set the top bucket of feed, fill with water. It will push some of the water out of the bottom bucket...thats ok. It will make the top bucket sit on TOP of the water and you won't have 2 buckets GLUED together. UGH LOL