Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[hellbender]

That's great! Love your avatar.

Thanks...not sure where I found it.

 

[Triple Willow]

Sorry if this question has already been asked, but I don't have time to go through this whole long thread to find the answer!

I'd like to try ff, but I don't have anyplace inside my house to do it where it's warm. I could do it in the little lean-to in the back of our house, and if I keep it right up against the house wall, it probably won't freeze, but it's definitely not going to be warm out there this winter! Would it still work, or do I need to wait until spring?

Hi Hennyetta. I am no expert, still quite the greenhorn myself but it would probably help if you could at least start the feed indoors just to get it going good then put it where you have to. But if you have very cold weather you'll possibly need some kind of heat source. A few pages back folks were talking about using an ice chest/cooler to keep their feed in outdoors. I'm sure some of those folks will come along to help you out with some ideas. You won't regret fermenting!

 

[hellbender]

Sorry if this question has already been asked, but I don't have time to go through this whole long thread to find the answer!

I'd like to try ff, but I don't have anyplace inside my house to do it where it's warm. I could do it in the little lean-to in the back of our house, and if I keep it right up against the house wall, it probably won't freeze, but it's definitely not going to be warm out there this winter! Would it still work, or do I need to wait until spring

Hnnyetta...not sure where you live but it can get really cold here. You could consider what works for me. You wouldn't need the crocks...I just happened to have them. This is a very simple and inexpensive way to do things. The only problem could come into play is if you have frequent and long power outages. We do here sometimes but I have a natural gas generator that kicks in as a fall back.

Good luck

 

[Hennyetta]

Hi Hennyetta. I am no expert, still quite the greenhorn myself but it would probably help if you could at least start the feed indoors just to get it going good then put it where you have to. But if you have very cold weather you'll possibly need some kind of heat source. A few pages back folks were talking about using an ice chest/cooler to keep their feed in outdoors. I'm sure some of those folks will come along to help you out with some ideas. You won't regret fermenting!

I might be able to do it upstairs in a cooler. It doesn't seem like a cooler would allow enough airflow, but what do I know. As long as there's a way to keep the smell contained, I might be able to do it indoors, but if it's going to make my house smell, I'll have to do it somewhere else!

Hnnyetta...not sure where you live but it can get really cold here. You could consider what works for me. You wouldn't need the crocks...I just happened to have them. This is a very simple and inexpensive way to do things. The only problem could come into play is if you have frequent and long power outages. We do here sometimes but I have a natural gas generator that kicks in as a fall back.

Good luck

I saw your post of about the heat tape, and I think that would probably be something I could do out in the lean-to. Do you find that the extra use of electricity is still offset by reduced feed costs?

I'm in northern IN, so we don't get a lot of below zero weather or anything, but it definitely does freeze in the winter.

 

[Triple Willow]

I've been following this thread for months.  I have far too many birds to feed ff to all but I have been feeding it to the youngsters in the brooders with what I consider excellent results.  As for fermenting the mash, I use two 15 gallon crocks in my barn and I have wrapped them with heat tapes and then, wrapping each with half of a water heater insulation jacket.  This is working far beyond my expectations.

RON

Hey Ron. I like that avatar too! And YES, thanks to you and your son! Many many many thanks!!! How many chickens do you have? I would love to be set up and have a bunch but also make some money at it. I could kick my own butt for not starting years ago. You can really miss out on some things in life by just putting stuff off. Time gets away from you.

(Do you hear that young people...??? Don't procrastinate in life! Try new things! If there is something you want to do, do it! Aaahem... don't worry folks, you're safe. I'm still suspended from the soapbox. lol)

 

[Kassaundra]

I have a 30ish gallon bucket of fermented grain, it is black and stays outside all year round. In the winter I put it in full sun and afternoon shade in summer. The edges freeze and thaw through the day and night, but it has never ruined the ferment (same juice for over 2 years). I live in eastern central Oklahoma.

 

[hellbender]

I might be able to do it upstairs in a cooler. It doesn't seem like a cooler would allow enough airflow, but what do I know. As long as there's a way to keep the smell contained, I might be able to do it indoors, but if it's going to make my house smell, I'll have to do it somewhere else!



I saw your post of about the heat tape, and I think that would probably be something I could do out in the lean-to. Do you find that the extra use of electricity is still offset by reduced feed costs?

I'm in northern IN, so we don't get a lot of below zero weather or anything, but it definitely does freeze in the winter.

These heat tapes use so little electricity, I believe it to be negligible.

 

[hellbender]

Hey Ron. I like that avatar too!

And YES, thanks to you and your son! Many many many thanks!!! How many chickens do you have? I would love to be set up and have a bunch but also make some money at it. I could kick my own butt for not starting years ago. You can really miss out on some things in life by just putting stuff off. Time gets away from you.

(Do you hear that young people...??? Don't procrastinate in life! Try new things! If there is something you want to do, do it! Aaahem... don't worry folks, you're safe. I'm still suspended from the soapbox. lol)

I keep between 425 and 450 birds...+or-...in the laying flock.

 

[Triple Willow]

@Hennyette... just be sure you DO NOT seal up your fermenting feed in any container because it will probably blow up on you. Now I love that sort of thing (hehe) but it could be dangerous and a huge mess in your house and a waste of feed. LOL I may be wrong but to me my feed doesn't stink at all. Really I think it smells good - like real sweet apples for some unknown reason...?

@everybody... I was just thinking, what about a cooler with a small light bulb hanging just inside of it? Might want to duct tape it so it couldn't fall in.

 

[Triple Willow]

I keep between 425 and 450 birds...+or-...in the laying flock.

Ohh wow, I'd love to hear about your setup, your birds and your business... and everything else. Do tell! And pictures are great too! lol