Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[kian]

I just started the first bucket of dog food. I need another bucket and then I am going to do cat food. For both dogs andcats I use "Evolve" brand, no soy,corn or wheat. I am interested to see how it works out.

 

[Kassaundra]

I just started the first bucket of dog food. I need another bucket and then I am going to do cat food. For both dogs andcats I use "Evolve" brand, no soy,corn or wheat. I am interested to see how it works out.

I am a bit confused fermenting grains is a way to "predigest" the grain products to make the nutrition more bio-available to monogastric eaters, so what purpose would fermenting a non-grain based food? I understand fermenting the more grain heavy dog foods, but not the meat heavy dog or cat foods. Am I missing something?

 

[aoxa]

I am a bit confused fermenting grains is a way to "predigest" the grain products to make the nutrition more bio-available to monogastric eaters, so what purpose would fermenting a non-grain based food? I understand fermenting the more grain heavy dog foods, but not the meat heavy dog or cat foods. Am I missing something?

Looking into it more:



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Fermentation not only preserves food and their nutrients, it breaks them down into more easily digestible forms.
Fermentation breaks down complex proteins into readily digestible amino acids. According to the united nations food and Agriculture Organization which actively promotes fermentation as a critical source of nutrients worldwide, fermentation improves the bio availability of minerals present in food.
Fermentation also creates new nutrients. As they go through their life cycle, microbial cultures create B Vitamins, including Folic acid, Riboflavin, Niacin, Thiamin, and Biotin.
Some ferments function as antioxidants, scavenging cancer precursors known as free radicals from the cells of the body.
Lactobacilli create Omega 3 fatty acids essential for cell membrane and immune system function.
Fermented foods boost the culturing process, generates copious amounts of naturally occurring ingredients like SOD, (Superoxide dismutase), GTF Chromium, detoxifying compounds like glutathione, phospholipids, digestive enzymes and Beta1, – 3 compounds. Fermentation makes food more nutritious.
Fermentation also removes toxins from foods. In the tropical regions of Africa and Asia, the Tuber Cassava containing high levels of cyanide are poisonous until they have undergone a soaking fermentation. The fermentation process eliminates the cyanide rendering the Cassava, edible and nutritious.

Bacteria are not germs, but the germinators – and fabric – of all life on earth – Stephen Harrod Buhner
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Fermentation also removes toxins from foods. All grains contain a compound called phytic acid which can block absorption of zinc, calcium, iron magnesium and other minerals and leads to mineral deficiencies.
Nitrites, prussic acid, oxalic acid, nitrosamines and glucosides are some other potentially toxic chemicals found in foods that can be reduced or eliminated by fermentation.
Reported in the journal Nutrition, Micro Biota ( formerly known as micro flora) prevent disease because they compete with potential pathogens for the receptor sites at the mucosal cell surfaces of the intestines and proposes a treatment strategy of ecoimmunonutrition (eco-immuno-nutrition). It recognizes that an organisms immune function occurs in the context of an ecology, an ecosystem of different microbial cultures and that it is possible to build and develop that cultural ecology in the intestine through diet.

There's a lot more info on the net about Fermented Dog Food than FF for birds. Check it out



Quote: Can I note that since my dogs keep getting into the chick FF their breath has improved? Also their teeth. What's up with that?

 

[countrygirl74]

I'd be happy to find bulk pasturized acv and make my own for lots cheaper but I can only find small bottles at one chain store.
I did try it with the litre size bottle and U-ACV and it worked. I should log that under 'things that excite me' ( I know I need a life lol)

Check with www.azurestandard.com and see if they have a co-op drop in your area. That's how I get organic chicken feed without shipping and bulk ACV.

 

[Lacy Blues]

Aoxa, Wow! That is great information. I wonder if I could incorporate some fermented stuff into my own diet. I always seem to be lacking one thing or another and have to take tons of vitamins.

 

[TamTurkey]

This is what my thoughts were also. Why use it if not needed. Might be good to keep in the medicine cabinet and give if they just look down and you want to perk them up. I am ordering seeds. Going to plan oregano and mint. Use to have a lot of mint growing wild but the numbers are decreasing considerably.
I have a rabbit to stir up my chickens>>>>>>>>>>>>WHAT????????????

LMAO I raise meat bird for show and I work so I can't keep them stirred up so they will keep walking around and eating so the rabbit moves around and so they get up lol

 

[kian]

Aoxa answered better than I could ever have even tried! Thank you for all of that good info!

 

[delisha]

Quote: Make your own..

next time you make an apple pie, save all the skin and cores..stuff them in a clean 1 qt glass jar. Make sure you have enough to fit tight under the lip so they do not float. Boil 2 1/2 cups of water and 1 tbs of sugar. Cool to hot but not boiling and pour over the apples. Set on the counter for 48 hours with a light cover.(towel). Put the ring and lid on and store in a dark place for 1 month. You can purchase cheap apple cider in the gallon container and than add the ho-made to it after you see a slight film start to develope. Just keep purchasing more of the gallons and add from the old.

 

[countrygirl74]

I am attempting fermented feed for the 1st time... I used to use crumbles but have now switched to an organic feed that is a mash. I put in 6 inches of water, several cups of mash (about 9 or so I think) and about 3/4 to 1 cup of ACV. It has been sitting for 48 hours. I stir it 2x's daily. There seems to be a lot of water and the mash has all settled like mud in the bottom. It is not actively bubbling like I've seen some do on youtube... is it fermented? Does the temperature affect it much? It is cold in my house at night (about 50-55) and about 60-65 during the day. Should I wait longer or is it ready to feed? Seems like I might need a "tighter" strainer since it is sooo mushy. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Last question... when you go on vacation or are gone at all, do most of you just have someone come twice a day to feed fermented food or do you just give a bunch of dry in automatic feeders just for the time you are gone? I love my chickens and ducks but feeding the fermented feed twice a day can be very time consuming and I might need to be gone for an entire day or two with work, etc.

 

[colburg]

I am attempting fermented feed for the 1st time... I used to use crumbles but have now switched to an organic feed that is a mash. I put in 6 inches of water, several cups of mash (about 9 or so I think) and about 3/4 to 1 cup of ACV. It has been sitting for 48 hours. I stir it 2x's daily. There seems to be a lot of water and the mash has all settled like mud in the bottom. It is not actively bubbling like I've seen some do on youtube... is it fermented? Does the temperature affect it much? It is cold in my house at night (about 50-55) and about 60-65 during the day. Should I wait longer or is it ready to feed? Seems like I might need a "tighter" strainer since it is sooo mushy. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Last question... when you go on vacation or are gone at all, do most of you just have someone come twice a day to feed fermented food or do you just give a bunch of dry in automatic feeders just for the time you are gone? I love my chickens and ducks but feeding the fermented feed twice a day can be very time consuming and I might need to be gone for an entire day or two with work, etc.

Everything sounds good. Just need to give it some time. It took mine about 96 hours(4 days) to start bubbling. Also, the water on top isn't necessary. You can add some feed till it's an oatmeal consistency. Or not, it's up to the fermenter, but the oatmeal consistency FF doesn't require any draining or straining.

There are quite a few pics on here of water levels, etc.

Happy fermenting.