Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[Beekissed]

I remember reading cautions on all the threads I subscribe to about the need for fermented feed to "off gas" and to not put lids on tightly, even when covering the feed with water. Submerging the feed is one of the ways to ferment and is not inherently wrong, just one of the many ways. Tight lids are a bad idea, whether the feed is submerged in water or oatmeal consistency. I put a pillow case over my bucket & it works great for off gassing and keeping the dog out of it. (No, he is NOT very food-driven!

)

Good point! The anaerobic method is what I'm using. I'm well aware of what can happen, so my feed is covered with an over-sized lid. Working great now for about 2 weeks.

But, don't you see? "Anaerobic" is the method that everyone using FF is doing...it's the only method of fermentation because LABs and all the other yeasts are anaerobes. Whether you cover it with water or not, you are getting the exact same fermentation as everyone else, barring variation of the types of yeast spores in your particular area.

Covering with water is not a form or "method" of fermentation, it's just an unnecessary step in what will result in fermentation whether you cover it with water or not...there are not two different types of fermentation going on. There is just fermentation of grains....and that's all.

I know where you learned that information and that method the people are very convincing and persuasive but they've got their wires crossed somehow and folks are just following it as if they were the authority on fermentation. They aren't, I'm not...but I can read and the info posted above on how anaerobes metabolize is pretty clear, though that blog site seems intent on muddying it enough that everyone believes they have to have water over the feed to get LAB fermentation going on.

We are all getting LAB fermentation, water over the feed or not, lid on or not, so taking extra steps to "insure" you are only getting LAB fermentation is just unnecessary and that's something I've been trying to explain since that blog site started over complicating a simple procedure.

 

[BCMaraniac]

And the fox will lie down next to the hen and the flock keeper will sit with the rooster...and no one will get a tooth, claw or beak jabbed in 'em.   

Sounds like Paradise to me!!

 

[Angelicisi]

As long as it bubbles I'm good.

I have done both ways, water over and oatmeal consistency. Both worked.
I choose to keep feed under a half inch to inch of water for the forgivness factor and visual factor only.

By forgiveness I mean, I'm busy. Real full plate. I like it like that. On occasion it wears on me and I have an off day and may add too much feed nit enough water and off to work...coming home to a half wet half dry mess of ff lava lol then additional time is wasted fixing it, stirring it, adding more water...so if I add a bit more water to the mix and it still stays bubbly-I'm a happy camper and don't mind straining because their feed troughs allow it to drain the visual factor...I don't like a film icky or it to roll like lava, just my ick factor so the water above the feed is more appealing to me. Neither hold an additional purpose in nutrients and straining can be a drag for some people.

But, don't you see?  "Anaerobic" is the method that everyone using FF is doing...it's the only method of fermentation because LABs and all the other yeasts are anaerobes.  Whether you cover it with water or not, you are getting the exact same fermentation as everyone else, barring variation of the types of yeast spores in your particular area. 

Covering with water is not a form or "method" of fermentation, it's just an unnecessary step in what will result in fermentation whether you cover it with water or not...there are not two different types of fermentation going on.  There is just fermentation of grains....and that's all. 

I know where you learned that information and that method the people are very convincing and persuasive but they've got their wires crossed somehow and folks are just following it as if they were the authority on fermentation.  They aren't, I'm not...but I can read and the info posted above on how anaerobes metabolize is pretty clear, though that blog site seems intent on muddying it enough that everyone believes they have to have water over the feed to get LAB fermentation going on. 

We are all getting LAB fermentation, water over the feed or not, lid on or not, so taking extra steps to "insure" you are only getting LAB fermentation is just unnecessary and that's something I've been trying to explain since that blog site started over complicating a simple procedure. 

 

[TexasLisa]

Originally Posted by Beekissed

And the fox will lie down next to the hen and the flock keeper will sit with the rooster...and no one will get a tooth, claw or beak jabbed in 'em.

I am pretty sure Mr. Silky will be there Bee.

Lisa

 

[Beekissed]

And I will pet him and love him and stroke him...... (shades of Lennie)

 

[colburg]

Here's a question for you dedicated FF users and also those who tried and found it not to your liking....what do you find, if anything, that would/did deter you from using this method and why?  I'm thinking of issues like time, money, smell, etc.

The only con I can think of is the wieght when feeding. We use a very large chicken tractor, so the FF stays in the shop. It can be up to 1,500 ft from the shop at times. 1/2 of a 5g bucket full of FF gets heavy at that distance.

 

[colburg]

The only 2 problems I have is 1. Oldtimers disease... I forget to stir it 2x a day. I admit to remembering maybe once, however it does not seem to care, and 2. I am not as wise as to protiens etc... so am I doing harm to my critters if I mix 20% (for meatys) it doesn't seem so. I use that because that is what was recommended by the feed place and I bought a bunch of it. I think it may have something to do with that and layer is all they have. they have other animal feed but not much of a selection for each species. Bee I saw in another meaty thread (meatys nastiest chickens) where you showed how to have them without the smell etc. I made all kinds of mistakes this year as I did not have the same facilities as last. My layers were still small and were moved about the lawn/yard in the tractor so the meatys had the coop to themselves. This year no coop available (the goats got the new coop) and there are more of them so they stay in the tractor. What I have changed is I kick em out every day, so they are not just eatin' and poopin' in too small an area. They seem to like being outside they peck then run around and flap their wings generally looking like grounded wind socks. They have no problems with eating the FF (or anything else that looks like food lol). At night when I feed them they eat and lay right down like they are going to sleep. So really what's not to like.

Walt

2x/day is quite a bit. I've got mine down to....never. I use a 35g trash can, thanks to Kassaundra, and the closest i get to stirring it is when I fill it with water and the water mixes the top couple of inches.

 

[colburg]

You mean fermented volcanos like this? I've probably done this... maybe 10 times and will more than likely do it that many more at least. If that is all that goes wrong in my day I figure I have done well. LOL

Haha, yes! Except I only have my layer FF in an old almond bucket from Costco. A wee little volcano! Good to know I'm not the only one!

I did that with my first batch in the 35g trash can. I figured...meh, 1/2 a bag of pellets, 1/2 a bag of wheat, 1/2 a bag of corn, 15gals of water and it'll be good. BANHNHNHNHNH wrong. It took a while to get that cleaned up. When unsure, start small.

 

[Beekissed]

The only con I can think of is the wieght when feeding. We use a very large chicken tractor, so the FF stays in the shop. It can be up to 1,500 ft from the shop at times. 1/2 of a 5g bucket full of FF gets heavy at that distance.

You need a dolly! That's what Aoxa was using, I do believe. Here's one for $26 at Lowes...it folds up and the handle collapses into itself for easy storage when not in use. I had one of these years ago and it's perfect for light duty like what you need it for and it's definitely built for a shorter job like hauling a bucket...not so great for moving appliances and such. Consider it an investment for the future.

I would just zip tie me a bungy on this handle so that I could secure the load as I moved across bumpy grass/pasture and batta bing, easy feeding!

http://www.lowes.com/pd_309789-9418...t=dolly&pl=1&currentURL=?Ntt=dolly&facetInfo=

 

[jmandawn]

Great looking dolly and that could be very useful!