Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[3 NH reds]

I added some mother to my chicken manure mix. I just did a spring clean out of the coops of hay and poo. Now I am letting it cook in a composter I got for free. Curious to see how this could make things go faster

 

[Kassaundra]

I ferment starter, Red Yeast Rice Bran and rolled barley for the chicks. The adults get fermented scratch, corn and rolled barley with the Rice bran top dressed. They have layer pellets free choice but I stopped fermenting the pellets when two 5 gal buckets didn't cover it. I couldn't see how I could possibly mix the barrel. I can do the whole arm thing, it doesn't bother my skin, I just wash up when Im done. I have a half barrel that I may try throwing everything into, I just cant see how I would drain all that feed, but if its not sloppy, how am I going to stir it ?

Our fermented grain is in a large trash bucket (30 ish gallons I believe) we stir it w/ a shovel, more of an up and down w/ a twist motion (when we bother at all w/ mixing) Ours is grain so not as thick as feed. Draining is not an issue for us either w/ the grains, but if I were doing the feed I doubt I would drain much just scoop and add more water as needed.

 

[Zootopia]

Thanks Kass, I dish out the grains with a huge slotted spoon thing (DH says it's probably a valuable Antique) and use the water hose to stir the grains off the bottom when I add water. I'd like to use the oatmeal consistency for the pellets but worry I wouldn't get a good ferment. A shovel I can do.

 

[Bleenie]

Quote:
The hardware store I buy my feed at just happened to have them sitting up front with a "MAKE OFFER - all or nothing" sign on them. I figured all they could say was no, right? I really couldn't believe he said yes to $5 for both, lol. I think they stopped carrying them or that brand and wanted them gone.

With the adult birds, the oats are usually the very last thing to be eaten, the cobb & crumble parts go first. The goose doesn't seem too picky when he eats the FF. The "teens" get the feed mix dry because they get too nasty with the FF right now(cochins). In their coop I am always tossing the leftover Oats out into the field for the cow or wild birds to clean up, they just refuse to eat them dry.

Last person that came out for chicks asked about my feed when he looked in the baby coop, said he can't seem to find good feed like that anywhere but then got a funny look when i said i mixed all my feed by hand in a 55gal barrel, lol.

You can see the Nutrena & Oats are close to equal amounts.

 

[kacklinkelly]

Well, I removed the loose covering I had over the pail and was reaching to pick it up to throw
it away since I had nothing for one week. Then found this.




I thought I would hang onto it for one more day and see what happens.
Today is looks like this.




I think I finally have what I have been reading about. Do the
chickens really like eating this? Now what? Am experimenting with
my meaties first since they are only going to be around for
another few weeks anyway.

Thanks for your help on this subject.

 

[Zootopia]

Well, I removed the loose covering I had over the pail and was reaching to pick it up to throw it away since I had nothing for one week. Then found this. I thought I would hang onto it for one more day and see what happens. Today is looks like this. I think I finally have what I have been reading about. Do the chickens really like eating this? Now what? Am experimenting with my meaties first since they are only going to be around for another few weeks anyway. Thanks for your help on this subject.

Hurrah !!! See chickens teach us alot of things, one of the best things is Patience !! And yes they Love to eat it. Some take a couple day to adjust, some dive right in.

 

[kacklinkelly]

Thank you so much. So do I just scoop some out and drain it and then
add more feed and water? Not sure how the rest of the process goes or
do I need another bucket set? Thanks for YOUR patience with me.

 

[Lacy Blues]

Thank you so much. So do I just scoop some out and drain it and then
add more feed and water? Not sure how the rest of the process goes or
do I need another bucket set? Thanks for YOUR patience with me.

I think it depends on what you're fermenting. If it is crumbles... actually you drain as much as is feasible. Then yes, you replace feed and water. No need for another bucket, unless you have lots more birds you want to start feeding it to.

 

[kacklinkelly]

Yes, it's made from crumbles. Thanks so much - Yet one more chicken adventure to head out on

 

[chxNaddicted]

Is there a cliff-note version
So I read through some..
To a 5G bucket how much feed grain do you add (since it swells) 1/2, 3/4?

How much ACV is added(many different opinions)?

What is the typical grain/feed mixture(cost effective)?

How long is a 5G bucket last say 20 laying birds?

Why brewers yeast and molasses added, is it if its not fermenting fast enough or added bonus? How much of each?

Currently feeding Purina layer, I'll be adding spent grain to their diet. They free range most days...I'd love to feed organic and GMO free.. But can't afford it at the amount there eating.,
Thank you very much