Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[Lacy Blues]

Thank you Costa Rica Art for the pics. Nice system you have there. I think I will go back and find Beekissed's photo of her system for a larger system.

Kassaundra, you just threw in an apple to your mix to make ACV in it? How did that work out? Can you smell it in there?

How long does it take for botulism to develop? I made some food night before last (the first night) with my hens' ration and the next day didn't use it all up. Then last night I added to it. It was kind of dry so I added water, yogurt and more ACV. I would absolutely pass out it I killed my birds with botulism... or anything else for that matter... except for an axe when the time is right.

 

[Kassaundra]

Thank you Costa Rica Art for the pics. Nice system you have there. I think I will go back and find Beekissed's photo of her system for a larger system.

Kassaundra, you just threw in an apple to your mix to make ACV in it? How did that work out? Can you smell it in there?

How long does it take for botulism to develop? I made some food night before last (the first night) with my hens' ration and the next day didn't use it all up. Then last night I added to it. It was kind of dry so I added water, yogurt and more ACV. I would absolutely pass out it I killed my birds with botulism... or anything else for that matter... except for an axe when the time is right.

Yes, silly I know. The ferment had been working for some time (several months) already then I kept reading about ACV to ferment grains, but I had never added anything so I just threw in an apple. I would see it bob every once in a while for a month or so, but I haven't seen it in a long time so guess it's gone now.

Not sure how long it takes to develop to toxic levels in food, but if a chicken has ate contaminated food (several natural ways they can get it in found food) it will kill them in less then a day, it paralizes them basically.

 

[Lacy Blues]

Yes, silly I know. The ferment had been working for some time (several months) already then I kept reading about ACV to ferment grains, but I had never added anything so I just threw in an apple. I would see it bob every once in a while for a month or so, but I haven't seen it in a long time so guess it's gone now.

Not sure how long it takes to develop to toxic levels in food, but if a chicken has ate contaminated food (several natural ways they can get it in found food) it will kill them in less then a day, it paralizes them basically.

Wouldn't it smell bad? Be off color? something?

Mine is a little dark and I think I can explain why...

I use wet cob as a grain supply for my birds. Reason being is that molasses, in small amounts, is good for the birds as it flushes toxins from their system. I use 3 scoops lay pellets to one scoop wet cob and one scoop dry cat food. They do very well on this mix. The only parts they relish though, is the cat food and grains. So, I cut their ration until they are eating everything. My wet lay pellet mix that I'm pretty sure is not fermented is a little dark and I'm fairly certain its from the molasses. It doesn't smell bad though. I have a large bowl left of this and then I think I'm not going to do the pellets anymore. I'll feed them dry and concentrate on fermenting the grains. Should I not use the wet cob for this? Is the molasses going to be ok being fermented?

Does anyone think I should toss the bowl of wet pellets? Like I said, I'd faint if I killed my birds. I hate to be wasteful but killing my birds is not an option.

The chick starter with the songbird grains isn't difficult and they gobble it down so I'll continue with that. Still need to figure out the big bird system. I think I may take Kassaundra's advice and feed a grower ration with oyster shell on the side. I'll have to find out the costs involved.

 

[Kassaundra]

The molassas shouldn't be a problem at all. I only stopped fermenting the pellets for my own convienence not out of harm to the chickens. COB is just corn, oats and barley right? all that is great to ferment, the added molasses just adds more food for the fermenting process and trace minerals. The only negative to molasses is a diuretic effect. If your wet pellets are actively fermenting and started already I'm not understanding why you don't want to feed them out or they might hurt your birds???

 

[jeapa]

Kassaundra, are you using rolled oats to ferment? I bought some rolled oats and some barely today and I am thinking about adding a little of both to the crumbles and scratch that I am currently using for fermenting.

 

[Kassaundra]

Kassaundra, are you using rolled oats to ferment? I bought some rolled oats and some barely today and I am thinking about adding a little of both to the crumbles and scratch that I am currently using for fermenting.

You can ferment rolled oats, but the oats I get are whole seed grain type.

Those should do well to add to your ferment.

 

[burnyourmoney]

[
Can anyone give a rough estimate on how much Braggs?  1/4 bottle?  1/2 bottle?  2 Tbsp? to add to a gallon of regular ACV?

2 tbsp will do it. You can add more, it doesn't make a whole lot of difference.

I am fermenting pure crumbles for my week old white rocks. I have it in a 2 bucket setup however it does not work. The water will not drain out of the bucket. I use a strainer instead to just scoop it out. Honestly it comes out really, really wet, but the birds don't care. When I was introducing them to it I would sprinkle the top layer with dry crumble to soak up some moisture but I don't have to do that anymore.

 

[MonsterClucker]

Yes, it may take a little longer, just once it does ferment do not toss the liquid use it as the start for your next batch just add water to it.  Mine has been reused for over a year now w/o any problems.  I do large batches and only do grains.  I tried doing the crumbles and didn't like it so went back to my grains only.  But it will work w/ the crumbles as well.  I can't remember how long it took to ferment or I would let you know.  (just a couple of days though)

Ok thank you Soo much! Lol

So with just the water, what's the minimum amount of time to let sit to ferment? And about how much should I be making for 25 day olds and 2 poults?
They will ne here Friday so I want to start it tonight. Thanks

 

[Lacy Blues]

What about starting some grain to ferment by just using water like you did Kassaundra and shredding up an apple and adding that to the mix? Would that make the ACV and have all the health benefits too?

 

[Zootopia]

I finally got a bottle of Braggs ACV. I am thinking of adding a tablespoon to my fermenting bucket. Will this be fine to mix with the current brew or should I start with fresh water and no yeast? Are the fermenting bacteria the same or different depending on what you used to start your ferment?
So far I am noticing less dry feed being eaten and the poops are definitely firm.

I use both ACV and yeast, just which ever comes to hand first. I have a bucket of game bird starter and a bucket of half GBS and scratch going and I just add more as I feed it out. Had them going for a while now and every couple of days I'll add either the ACV or the yeast. I don't drain, just feed a gruel.