FF actually reduces my time spent every morning; but, that's because if it's not FF, it's a wet mash...that I have to mix every morning. With FF, it's scoop, add back feed and water, distribute FF to birds, call it done. Takes me from about 45 min in the morning (wet mash) to about 15 minutes in the morning (FF). Considering my work schedule, this is a benefit for me. The results I've seen in my birds has been beneficial, as well. I don't have the time to sit down and draw up a scientific paper and publish it....nor do I have the inclination. The real life results suit me fine. The fact that I have completely eliminated the need for dry food in their run (thus no longer having to worry about spoilage when we get our rare rains), the healthier looking/behaving birds, the easier clean up and the reduction in time required to provide their feed have all been pluses in my book. So far, I've not found a negative.
3. Fermented feed seemed to loose attractiveness for the birds quite rapidly, resulting in a more aggressive behaviour and a poorer plumage condition than in birds given dry feed. The use of fermented feed reduced the litter DM content.
There, certainly, has been no loss in interest in the FF from my birds - makes me wonder what they were doing that the birds lost interest? Mine jump up onto my hands before I even get the food bowls down; and, when I go to pick them up - just like the other person said - they look licked clean. I'm still trying to figure out how animals with beaks can get a bowl so empty...
4. During the experimental period, the body weight gain of hens receiving fermented feed was 80 g higher than of hens fed the dry mash. Presumably because of an extended adaptation time to the feed, the onset of lay occurred later when hens were fed on fermented feed, resulting in non-significantly reduced total egg production (75 vs. 82%).
There is certainly weight gain involved... I couldn't tell you the specifics of why - just the fact that there certainly was a difference in weight by ~1 pound. That would be significantly more than 80g...
8. It was concluded that fermented wet feed offers potential benefits for health and nutrition, but may become suitable for layers only after the practical problems related to this feeding form have been overcome. However, an early adaptation of the birds during the rearing period seems to be necessary.
I am unwilling to pay $44 to view the entire text, so I cannot see the "practical problems" to which they refer. However, many have switched their full grown birds to FF and not required an "early adaptation of the birds during the rearing period".
I'm very curious as to what they were using for their FF. How they fermented. And, so on. I just - well...I have other things that I need to spend that $44 on at the moment.
