Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[Beekissed]

So today is day one of feeding my 2 week old CX chicks the fermented feed. I am not sure that it has really fermented much yet but it was certainly wet. The chicks were not really thrilled with it at first but seem to be warming up to it quite well. I had some issues with my bucket system and the starter mash plugging up the holes so the liquid wouldn't drain. I am not sure I have it right, but some modifications have made it drain better. I am thinking I might try a pair of stockings to put the feed in so I can just lift the whole thing out and let it hang. Additionally, does anyone ferment their scratch grains? I can only assume that there would be some benefit to this even if it was just the soaking effect to soften the grain.

Although the 2 bucket system was originally designed by me for draining off the fluids in order to feed out to CX birds, I've since stopped using it for straining and am now using it for storing the scoby in the reservoir. Thus, no more straining....I just mix the FF to a desirable thickness that does not require straining and that means the water is not standing over the feed at all times. After the adding of the water to fresh grains and it absorbs over night, I do not add any more liquid but just stir in the mix each day so that it will be moistened well in the liquid level below the feed.

It usually stands at least 4 in. below the top of the mix. Especially with fine ground mixes like crumble or pelleted feeds, it's easier to mix to a peanut butter consistency so that you won't need to strain it. No straining, no plugging of the holes...then the two bucket system is used as a reservoir for your scoby, which mixes with the fresh water when it is added and seeps UP into the grain bucket as the water rises. Stir it good and let the good things happen.

Yes, I ferment whole grains that are often found in scratch and it is of enormous benefit as those grains are fermented as well. BOSS seems to take longer for the fermented fluids to penetrate the shell, but it eventually gets there. All the other scratch grains ferment very well unless there is wheat in it...it has a hard shell casing as well and takes a long, long time to soften and ferment fully.

If you are cutting your ration to the CX with some whole grains, just provide some grit free choice as well so that they can grind them fully. I did the same for my CX and they were able to eat and digest the fermented whole grains just fine.

 

[Triple Willow]

If you are cutting your ration to the CX with some whole grains, just provide some grit free choice as well so that they can grind them fully.  I did the same for my CX and they were able to eat and digest the fermented whole grains just fine. 

Good morning Bee! This is good to know - now I can take it off my list of things to be paranoid about. lol I need to build a couple of free-choice grit feeders.

 

[DaveMorey]

Thank you for the ideas. I should have been a little more clear about the scratch grains. They aren't for the chicks but for my laying flock. I was thinking I could soak the grains overnight for them.

 

[Beekissed]

Thank you for the ideas. I should have been a little more clear about the scratch grains. They aren't for the chicks but for my laying flock. I was thinking I could soak the grains overnight for them.

You can ferment them fully, if you wish, and not just an overnight soak but a full on fermentation...the more, the better, for whole grains.

 

[Triple Willow]

Thank you for the ideas. I should have been a little more clear about the scratch grains. They aren't for the chicks but for my laying flock. I was thinking I could soak the grains overnight for them.

I thought that might be the case. What breed of layers do you have?

 

[DaveMorey]

They are mostly Red Stars with a few New Hampshire mixed in for good measure. I bought a red pullet mix.

 

[Triple Willow]

They are mostly Red Stars with a few New Hampshire mixed in for good measure. I bought a red pullet mix.

Ahh sounds good! Did they come from McMurray's? I believe they say their Red Stars are their most productive brown egg layer. I really like the New Hampshires too.

 

[DaveMorey]

I bought this bunch from TSC. I don't think I will do that again since I ended up with birds I didn't really want too. I think I will get my next ones from McMurray or from Purely Poultry. I have had good luck with both.

 

[DaveMorey]

I bought this bunch from TSC. I don't think I will do that again since I ended up with birds I didn't really want too. I think I will get my next ones from McMurray or from Purely Poultry. I have had good luck with both.

 

[Beekissed]

I bought this bunch from TSC. I don't think I will do that again since I ended up with birds I didn't really want too. I think I will get my next ones from McMurray or from Purely Poultry. I have had good luck with both.

I often wonder about that....many people buy straight run of mystery breeds and then spend the rest of the time trying to figure out the breeds they bought, which ones are roosters(because they cannot have those where they live and that leaves the question, "Then WHY did you buy them???"), how to get rid of the roosters, why my breed isn't laying well, why is she always broody, why doesn't she have feathers on her back, why won't they let me pet them, etc?

Why do they start out making things difficult for themselves right away instead of carefully studying breeds, ordering such breeds from a hatchery and ordering the sexes they wish to have? I've never had a hatchery send me the wrong sexed bird yet, so chances of that happening must be pretty slim.