Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[WRVgirl]

I think I'm going to make a second tub just for the chick starter. My girls are big enough now that they actually prefer the layer crumble to the start and grow so I've been mixing them together to trick them into eating the start and grow!

But I'm setting up 3 dozen hatching eggs tonight/tomorrow and I want to start the babies on the ff from day one.

Plus it's so easy, I can't see not having two!!

 

[Beekissed]

Can someone tell me if this looks right? I'm a little concerned as I've never done this before. I've got no idea what it's really supposed to look like, but I'm starting to think that it's too wet? Or is this ok?

The holes are fine and the outside bucket will not allow too much feed residue to escape into the bottom bucket, especially once you get the feed mixed to a mash. You'll get the hang of it and you are doing just fine. Don't change out this bucket until you've used it awhile and seen how the holes function for you. It should be okay...

There are holes all throughout the bucket. I went kind of crazy with the drill

That's okay too...if you start making bigger batches you may need them a little further up the bucket but those top holes will allow some spillage over the lip of the bottom bucket if you fill this bucket too high full of FF...ask me how I know.

I had drilled a few holes right up under the handle ridge of the bucket and when I filled the whole bucket with the FF, those little holes seeped so I had to be careful to keep the level just under where those holes were drilled.

If its a problem, I can grab another bucket...thankfully they're only $2 at Walmart.
If I redrill, how many holes and what should their placement look like? Should I drill holes on the bottom too?

Don't do it yet...just use this one awhile? It may just work out great!

Until I can get some tight fitting lids with fine screens, I'm suspending fermentation. We're absolutely infested with fruit flies! If they're covered, they get scummy mold, and if not, the flies feast as much as the chickens do and we have them all over the dang house

How about tying a pillow case over the bucket...as in lying it over the opening and rubber banding or tying a cord around the lip to keep it in place? That's what all the old timers did over their pickling crocks for many, many years and it works just fine. Let's it breathe, doesn't let any critters in it. Won't keep it from attracting them but it sure will keep them out of it.

 

[mickey328]

Thanks Bee. I'd thought of something similar, but then thought I might just go with ice cream pails (we only have 6 chickens) and cut the center out of the lids and glue some fine screening over the hole. It would make it easier to open and close for stirring. Don't have the buckets yet though, so a pillow case sounds like a great idea!

 

[Maven]

A cheap pair of pantyhose will work too!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I drape a towel over top of my bucket, we had a few fruit flies back in early fall in the house but none got through the towel.

 

[WRVgirl]

Thanks bee!!! My ff is working out well! I just checked it and it looks much better than it did this morning. Can't wait to give it to the girls!!

Will it hurt if I give them a test taste tonight? It will have been about 28 hours since I started the batch.

 

[aoxa]

Thanks bee!!! My ff is working out well! I just checked it and it looks much better than it did this morning. Can't wait to give it to the girls!!

Will it hurt if I give them a test taste tonight? It will have been about 28 hours since I started the batch.

No it won't hurt! even just wet is better than dry

Report back on how they like it

 

[Lacy Blues]

Just as the user above me mentioned, it can be used continuously.
I have only chicks eating my mix, so it doesn't seem to move much in volume, and I don't add much feed to it.
What I do if they haven't consumed what I have given them by the time I get home from work, is I take what is left, and stir it back into the bucket. It seems to really dry out and pack down because they tend to step in it. I don't have any silkies eating it any more (at least the chicks - I sold both of them), so I have been using two cream cheese containers to feed 17 chicks who are in two separate brooders. They don't consume all of what I give them.

ooooh, this made me shudder. If your birds are walking in it, chances are they're tracking bacteria from their droppings in it and then you're adding that to your bucket. If you're not having any trouble with that then my hat's off to you but just thought I'd mention it. What I have left over from the night feed, I clean up so the mice can't get it but I keep it separate from my bucket and give it back to them in the morning.

 

[aoxa]

Just as the user above me mentioned, it can be used continuously.

I have only chicks eating my mix, so it doesn't seem to move much in volume, and I don't add much feed to it.

What I do if they haven't consumed what I have given them by the time I get home from work, is I take what is left, and stir it back into the bucket. It seems to really dry out and pack down because they tend to step in it. I don't have any silkies eating it any more (at least the chicks - I sold both of them), so I have been using two cream cheese containers to feed 17 chicks who are in two separate brooders. They don't consume all of what I give them.

ooooh, this made me shudder.  If your birds are walking in it, chances are they're tracking bacteria from their droppings in it and then you're adding that to your bucket.  If you're not having any trouble with that then my hat's off to you but just thought I'd mention it.  What I have left over from the night feed, I clean up so the mice can't get it but I keep it separate from my bucket and give it back to them in the morning.

Oh I make sure any extras on the top of the food is discarded before dumping the rest back. No shavings or poop on top. Haven't had any issues.

Right now they are finally cleaning their plate by the time I get home. They'd knocked it over and none was left today. Good for them.

 

[Beekissed]

I never removed the left overs, just put more on top and not give them anymore food until there aren't any left overs. If they ain't licking the plate, they are getting too much to eat. Adjust your feed amounts down until there are no leftovers and you can avoid this issue.