Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[groverlvchx]

I was comparing this years egg rates with last years and was fully expecting the decrease in lay to start going up the first week in January, like it did last year. Instead it dropped so much that only 4 hens out of 18 were laying at all. I did take into consideration that the older half could be molting (invisibly) or something, but even the pullets quit. The big difference was that I was using FF this year. I was seriously thinking about switching back to free feeding layer pellets when the guy at the feed store suggested adding fish meal to the mix. So, I got 1 bag to try. It's about 1/6th to 1/5th of the mix. Last week I got 23 eggs. This week I got 49. From the egg colors, I can tell that 7 hens have started laying that haven't been laying since October. Whew! Almost had to tell the local restaurant I couldn't be a supplier anymore!

Q about Layer Mash - where are you guys getting this? Am I right in thinking that this isn't a pelleted feed? More grain-like?

FISH MEAL....my three have nearly stopped laying. I get maybe one daily. I want to try fish meal. Where did you get it? Do you stir it in right before feeding? Otherwise I would think it would reek if I ferment it along with the feed. I'm so glad to have something to try! Maybe they're protein starved.

 

[NickyPick]

So you do not worry about draining off the excess water? I just started my first batch and am just using one bucket also, was thinking I might drain into another bucket but hadn't decided yet...I'm just using layer crumbles as it's what I had on-hand, but plan to try with whole grains later on...

I do strain if the feed is like cream of wheat, but I try to keep it more at the peanut butter or oatmeal stage (I don't like runny oatmeal). I find it easier to strain if I have oats or COB in the mix. Those bigger pieces help the liquid to run through.

 

[NickyPick]

FISH MEAL....my three have nearly stopped laying. I get maybe one daily. I want to try fish meal. Where did you get it? Do you stir it in right before feeding? Otherwise I would think it would reek if I ferment it along with the feed. I'm so glad to have something to try! Maybe they're protein starved.

I got it from the feed store - Livengood Feeds in Tomball, Tx. It hasn't changed the smell of my FF at all. It's in a pelleted form, so it breaks up as well as the pelleted layer feed.

 

[rambunctious]

I started a single bucket of FF Monday AM. Fed it to my chicks Tuesday AM. (yea I know it was still a lil early) I have yet to see any 'bubbling' to it. Nor a 'layer of white milky film'. I just scooched it back closer to the back of my fridge (where heat usually comes out). We keep the house about 65..could it be that it's too chilly? I can post a photo if you think it'll help.

 

[Overoberyl]

I got it from the feed store - Livengood Feeds in Tomball, Tx. It hasn't changed the smell of my FF at all. It's in a pelleted form, so it breaks up as well as the pelleted layer feed.

Is there any concern with fish meal and ethoxyquin? I know it's been a hot topic in pet food in the last few years.

 

[armorfirelady]

I started a single bucket of FF Monday AM. Fed it to my chicks Tuesday AM. (yea I know it was still a lil early) I have yet to see any 'bubbling' to it. Nor a 'layer of white milky film'. I just scooched it back closer to the back of my fridge (where heat usually comes out). We keep the house about 65..could it be that it's too chilly? I can post a photo if you think it'll help.

I know when I add more to my FF I like to put it next to the wood stove to get it jump started. If you dont have a wood stove you could always put it by heat vent to help it. My kitchen where I keep it is one of the cooler rooms in my house so the heat helps. Once it gets fermenting again I put it back in the kitchen where it keeps fermenting just fine

 

[ocap]

I know when I add more to my FF I like to put it next to the wood stove to get it jump started. If you dont have a wood stove you could always put it by heat vent to help it. My kitchen where I keep it is one of the cooler rooms in my house so the heat helps. Once it gets fermenting again I put it back in the kitchen where it keeps fermenting just fine

might put a brooder heat lamp near mine

 

[Arielle]

Ha ha ha I'm off searching for answers andhere you are talking about the problem !! I only heat the house with a wood stove and the house temps run cool, 55-65. Near the wood stove can run higher, of course.

I think I can start a small amount of FF if I can keep it near the wood stove. ANyone have thoughts on that?

THe second concern was then does the glass container for making vinegar really have to be in the dark? Can I cover the container perhaps to block the light if I place it near the wood stove? Or if I put it in a dark area, but much cooler 55 and far below ideal, I can't see the organisms growing well or at all, as micro organisms have specific ideal temps.

Makes me have a greater respect for our forebearers and their struggle to survive and the foods they preserved . . . .

 

[B J Hopkins]

Ha ha ha I'm off searching for answers andhere you are talking about the problem !! I only heat the house with a wood stove and the house temps run cool, 55-65. Near the wood stove can run higher, of course.

I think I can start a small amount of FF if I can keep it near the wood stove. ANyone have thoughts on that?

THe second concern was then does the glass container for making vinegar really have to be in the dark? Can I cover the container perhaps to block the light if I place it near the wood stove? Or if I put it in a dark area, but much cooler 55 and far below ideal, I can't see the organisms growing well or at all, as micro organisms have specific ideal temps.

Makes me have a greater respect for our forebearers and their struggle to survive and the foods they preserved . . . .

I have my FF in the mud room where our wood stove is and it seems to be doing just fine. I'm feeding 51 chickens & 4 turkey and they all love it.
Someone else will have to answer your second question.

 

[B J Hopkins]

This is totally off the subject but I just wanted to share.

My 1.5yr old Silky hen is broody. She also has 2- 9mnth old chicks & 1- 5mnth old chick. Her 5mnth old chick spends most of her day sitting w/Momma keeping her company! I just thought she is being too cute!