Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[armorfirelady]

So my new buckets are overflowing from the bottom bucket out where the two buckets sit together. I didn't have the chick bucket more than half full, but the big chickens need a full bucket, as I go through one bucket a day (at least). I didn't put holes all the way to the top. Do you think that is why it's overflowing?

I still have two buckets to drill. I'm going to do the holes all the way to the top to see if that helps.

I had the same problem. I figured it was because I added to much water ? I cut back on the water and its been fine. When I used a 5 gallon bucket I just added water and stirred it and then added more later after the first was absorbed. Seemed to work better that way without over flowing. I dont have holes all the way to the top but about half way & on the bottom

 

[aoxa]

We have been doing this for about a week now and our 8 week old pullets literally jump into the pan when I feed them lol...they eat like crazed chicks!!! Its adorable! My big chickens are just getting interested. I would be interested to see what everyone feeds the FF to their chickens in...I have been using old pie tins but there has to be a more sanitary way (ie the chicks literally standing in it)

Trough style feeder that is lifted up to chest height on the age of birds you are feeding.  These are incredibly easy to build from wood, pvc or rain guttering.  If you attach the trough to a wall, you are losing valuable feeder space(they can only use one side of the feeder) and mobility and ease of cleaning. 

Here's my beat up old rain gutter feeder...lightweight, easy to build in about 5 min. and no one walks in it.  For chicks one can find a similar type plastic tray and place welded wire fencing over the top to keep chicks out of it but still let their heads in it. 




For this style of feeder and for young birds to use it and then graduate to the taller height, you can place perches or walk bars on top of these trough supports so that they can stand on them while eating.  After they grow more, you can remove the walk bars.  Here's an example of the bars in place for young meaties...sorry, I only have that in a video on FF.

  

A FF story.... I keep my FF in my greenhouse.  A few weeks ago I was putting my scoop in a ceramic bowl.  The bottom of the bowl got hard crusty FF juices in it ( forgot to rinse one evening) so I put water to soften and set it to the side.  I then forgot about it.  Out of sight, out of mind.  Last night I didn't shut the door good and the cat comes in.  I hear him drinking and he's drinking out of this bowl.  So I go to dump the bowl thinking he souldn't be drinking that and as I am walking outside I notice something black in the bowl of water.  I dump it on the ground and its a mouse...dead mouse.  I kinda giggle thinking even the mice love anything FF.  I went inside and told the family and my 14 y.o. runs out to see the mouse.  By this time the cat has already found it and is devouring it.  Funny thing is Red (the cat) kills mice and moles all the time but does not eat them.

So mice apparenly like the FF.  Cats apparently like fermented mice and I need some decon.

Never heard of a cat eating a mouse that is found dead...good to know!  Fermented mice are well preserved in the pickling of the ferment and that cats like them.  This may open up a whole new world of FF for pets.... 

Somehow everytime I watch a youtube video, I end up watching montages of random things..

I dare someone to start with one video and see where you end up.

 

[aoxa]

So my new buckets are overflowing from the bottom bucket out where the two buckets sit together. I didn't have the chick bucket more than half full, but the big chickens need a full bucket, as I go through one bucket a day (at least). I didn't put holes all the way to the top. Do you think that is why it's overflowing?


I still have two buckets to drill. I'm going to do the holes all the way to the top to see if that helps.

I had the same problem. I figured it was because I added to much water ?  I cut back on the water and its been fine.  When I used a 5 gallon bucket I just added water and stirred it and then added more later after the first was absorbed. Seemed to work better that way without over flowing.  I dont have holes all the way to the top but about half way & on the bottom

It was only when I first started adding feed. The feed wasn't soaking it up fast enough. It's all good now

I have four buckets cooking. We are going to enclose a little room with a light in the barn to keep it from freezing this weekend. It's not that cold right now. Won't stay that way for long though.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

It was only when I first started adding feed. The feed wasn't soaking it up fast enough. It's all good now

I have four buckets cooking. We are going to enclose a little room with a light in the barn to keep it from freezing this weekend. It's not that cold right now. Won't stay that way for long though.

LOL "all this extra feeding stuff" as DH puts it has saved a ton of $$$ and he is seeing it now. He told me we can get another free office trailer by just hauling it off. this makes the 3rd one we have picked up now. A major construction co we have in this area offers them occasionally, they are huge, 40-50 feet long by 10 ft wide. We paint them, repair what needs done, and use them as storage, etc. He has one for a workshop, now i get one for my "feeding stuff" hehe! I can do my mealworms, fodder and feeds all in there. oh, and a hatching room too, and maybe a quarantine room! Can't wait to get it here and set up.

 

[Baymule]

LOL "all this extra feeding stuff" as DH puts it has saved a ton of $$$ and he is seeing it now. He told me we can get another free office trailer by just hauling it off. this makes the 3rd one we have picked up now. A major construction co we have in this area offers them occasionally, they are huge, 40-50 feet long by 10 ft wide. We paint them, repair what needs done, and use them as storage, etc. He has one for a workshop, now i get one for my "feeding stuff" hehe! I can do my mealworms, fodder and feeds all in there. oh, and a hatching room too, and maybe a quarantine room! Can't wait to get it here and set up.

WOW!! I tip my hat to you and your scrounging abilities!! FREE OFFICE TRAILERS!!!! (insert smiley tipping Texas 10 gallon western hat) And you get one to "cook" your fermenting feed, mealworms, fodder ............. I salute you!!

 

[TamTurkey]

Ok I have to confess something... I think you are all awesome for doing this post and making healthy food. I just don't have the time or patience for this! I barely have time to keep mine on a feeding schedule.How do yall make the time?

 

[Beekissed]

Takes 5 minutes each morning...that's including the walk to the coop which is about 40 yards up the hill. How much time does it take you to feed in the mornings?

 

[aoxa]

Takes 5 minutes each morning...that's including the walk to the coop which is about 40 yards up the hill.  How much time does it take you to feed in the mornings? 

 

I agree that once you have a system going, it's not any more difficult than it was before.. Only before we had to serve a lot more food, because they ate it a lot quicker.

 

[Beekissed]

Yep...I find the wet feed much easier to scoop and serve than the dry feed...comes out in good clumps into the feeder instead of flying out of the scoop when I'm in a hurry.

 

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

Ok, I picked up my base for the FF. I was looking for barley, wheat grain and cracked corn and all come mixed in a local 'hen scratch' mix at half the price of buying the individual ingredients. It only had one extra ingredient; milo I think the guy called it. Just wanted to check that that wouldn't skew anything. Otherwise I think I got a great deal!