Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[jeepgirl13]

Thank you. That was very well written. This being my first attempt the picture and description were very helpful. This isn't something I want to let sit out in the feeder all day is it? I don't free feed it, ill have to feed them measured amounts right?

you will see the fermentation in the fact that you should have a carbonization effect, and (some) develop a light film over the top. Mine looks like this: That's a film of carbonization (buncha air bubbles) with a clear hooch under it. I never get a "gray whitish coating" - just the 'foam' as shown in the photo. Under that hooch, and on top of the feed, there will be a slimy layer of "gunk"...that gunk is the mother growing and is your best friend. As for 'overnight'...yes and no. Yes, you will begin to ferment within hours (especially here where our days are hitting in the mid 80s or higher, already); but, letting it go for a good bit is beneficial. You'd really be better suited to have two buckets if you are feeding twice a day instead of just once. 24 hours is good to help ensure the probiotics are going full swing, the phytic and oxalic acids have been broken down and all the other good things that come from fermenting are well underway...and, really, most recommend at least two days for oxalic and phytic acid breakdown.

 

[Zootopia]

Have other people had problems with chicks walking all over the FF and getting big clumps building up on their toes?  Now a few of my chicks look like they have bumblefoot from the constant irritation of the crusted feed on their toes.  I've lifted all the feeders up to hang on the side of the brooder but they still manage to get up there and dig around in it.  I dont know what else to do and am considering going back to dry feed until they are older!

What do you have on the floor of the brooder? I find that as much as I hate shavings in the brooder, it does keep them from getting toe balls and dirty feet

 

[ocap]

thanks to all who convinced me to use fermented feed. My chicks are doing well. I started mine with Kefir.

 

[Kilsharion]

Thank you. That was very well written. This being my first attempt the picture and description were very helpful. This isn't something I want to let sit out in the feeder all day is it? I don't free feed it, ill have to feed them measured amounts right?

You can put it out and let it sit all day. There's nothing wrong with that. The only problem is if your feed has a binder in it that makes the FF set up hard. Pellets seem to be the worst offenders where that's concerned. I use a mash and custom mix so I don't have a problem with it. Of course, the FF is generally gone in no time flat; but, in the brooder it takes a while longer for it to be eaten - generally just getting cleaned up by the end of the day.

My confined birds get fed twice a day (runs and brooders). However, my free rangers get fed once a day - I short feed them to encourage them to forage. They get a snack time in the evening with scratch; but, not much.

You cannot use a standard, hanging feeder with FF, though. It would cause you no end of grief. You're better off with a trough solution (or a bowl/pie tins/etc).

thanks to all who convinced me to use fermented feed. My chicks are doing well. I started mine with Kefir.

I'm glad to hear it's working well for you.

 

[SeattleLeah]

What do you have on the floor of the brooder? I find that as much as I hate shavings in the brooder, it does keep them from getting toe balls and dirty feet

I had them on sand which really just added to the feed caking up on their toes. They are back on wood shavings now. Too bad because the sand was awesome to clean!

Also, I dont think I will try to ferment pellets again. The binder just makes it too sticky. I just found a new source for a inexpensive whole grain feed and I think that will solve a lot of the sticky feet problems.

 

[SeattleLeah]

thanks to all who convinced me to use fermented feed. My chicks are doing well. I started mine with Kefir.

cool, I have just started making kefir, Im going to add a few sponfulls to my FF!

 

[SeattleLeah]

Thank you. That was very well written. This being my first attempt the picture and description were very helpful. This isn't something I want to let sit out in the feeder all day is it? I don't free feed it, ill have to feed them measured amounts right?

Because its fermented it wont really go off in a day or two. The only problem might be it drying up and caking if you are using pellets. I often fill the trough the night before for the ladies to eat in the morning if I wont have time to feed them in the morning.

 

[jeepgirl13]

This was my first bag of pellets and I don't really like them. I prefer the crumbles after using the pellets. After reading about these problems with the binders I have another reason to switch back. Thank you.

Because its fermented it wont really go off in a day or two.  The only problem might be it drying up and caking if you are using pellets.  I often fill the trough the night before for the ladies to eat in the morning if I wont have time to feed them in the morning.  

 

[SunnysMama]

What do you have on the floor of the brooder? I find that as much as I hate shavings in the brooder, it does keep them from getting toe balls and dirty feet

I have had all of the chicks I have ever raised on shavings and they always get the little toe balls so I think it's the feed and not the bedding material.

I just put mine on straw yesterday because I have so many chicks that they are soaking the shavings in a few hours.

 

[countrygirl74]

Zootopia - I use this for my brooders every time. I stir it up daily and then clean it out 1-2 times per week, depending on how many chicks there are and how bad it is. It's kind of like a deep litter for your brooder. It's basically a pine crumble. Then they get pine shavings when they go outside.