Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[ChaoSS]

  Grand to have you.    Sounds great on the results.  I'd bump up the protein a little more  because right now you have about 13%.   Maybe another 1/2 part of 21% protein.   I'm calculating the scratch at 9%   Fermenting feed is the  best decision I've made since I decided to raise chickens.  

more like 15.5%

 

[LindaB220]

more like 15.5%

I'll bet you're right. The fermenting part of it does bump it up naturally. Good catch.

 

[RuzichFamily]

Will try it

 

[Kassaundra]

What kind of oats do you buy? Whole? Crimped?

Whole, just seeds, not crimped or rolled or anything like that. Just the cheap stuff, it may be rinsed or something, but other then that, shaked off the plant and into the bag. lol

 

[Wyleiria]

I have another question regarding how to ferment. My last batch a couple of months ago smelled terrible and I was too nervous to try again until now. I mix BOSS and dried mealworms into my feed (along with other stuff) and these two ingredients float. Can feed float and still ferment? I've been just scooping it off and feeding that as a treat, but can I leave it in there? Every now and then some of my dried peas or wheat grain may float too, and I'm not sure if that is harmful to the fermentation or not. Help??

 

[LindaB220]

I have another question regarding how to ferment. My last batch a couple of months ago smelled terrible and I was too nervous to try again until now. I mix BOSS and dried mealworms into my feed (along with other stuff) and these two ingredients float. Can feed float and still ferment? I've been just scooping it off and feeding that as a treat, but can I leave it in there? Every now and then some of my dried peas or wheat grain may float too, and I'm not sure if that is harmful to the fermentation or not. Help??

I mix up a 5 gallon bucket 2/3 full. I use a qt scoop and do 2 scoops scratch, 1 scoop of gamebird, 2 scoops of starter or layer and 1/2 scoop BOSS. Just start it by filling bucket 1/2 full of water. Some ACV and start scooping all the stuff in. I don't put meat or worms in it. You can add it to the finished product at feeding. You may have to add more water. I let mine get to the consistancy of thick oatmeal. Partially cover it so some air can get in. Stir daily for 3 or 4 days. When it starts bubbling or smells like pickles then it's done. Peas and Boss May float but your going to be stirring daily. It all get's mixed in. One bag of gamebird is 26% and costs me $18. But it bumps my protein overall up and 1 qt per 5 gallon bucket will feed 15 almost POL birds for 4 days or more. Worth it.

 

[Turk Raphael]

I mix up a 5 gallon bucket 2/3 full. I use a qt scoop and do 2 scoops scratch, 1 scoop of gamebird, 2 scoops of starter or layer and 1/2 scoop BOSS. Just start it by filling bucket 1/2 full of water. Some ACV and start scooping all the stuff in. I don't put meat or worms in it. You can add it to the finished product at feeding. You may have to add more water. I let mine get to the consistancy of thick oatmeal. Partially cover it so some air can get in. Stir daily for 3 or 4 days. When it starts bubbling or smells like pickles then it's done. Peas and Boss May float but your going to be stirring daily. It all get's mixed in. One bag of gamebird is 26% and costs me $18. But it bumps my protein overall up and 1 qt per 5 gallon bucket will feed 15 almost POL birds for 4 days or more. Worth it.

Just to add....I use a 3 gallon plastic bucket and cover the top with a nylon paint straining bag to keep out flies and allow for plenty of air. They are cheap as dirt and can last for years.

 

[LindaB220]

Just to add....I use a 3 gallon plastic bucket and cover the top with a nylon paint straining bag to keep out flies and allow for plenty of air. They are cheap as dirt and can last for years.

Hey Turk, what a nifty idea. Home depot or somewhere? I ended up with 12 of my SBEL's hatching yesterday and today. It's been raining so hard that I've been soaked twice today trying to keep my 2 wk old SBEL's dry in their coop. Open air. I finally put a tarp over the tin portion and added a box with shavings in to climb in. Wet babies. Heck of a lot of rain today.

 

[Kinmera]

Hey Turk, what a nifty idea.  Home depot or somewhere?  I ended up with 12 of my SBEL's hatching yesterday and today.  It's been raining so hard that I've been soaked twice today trying to keep my 2 wk old SBEL's  dry in their coop.  Open air.  I finally put a tarp over the tin portion and added a box with shavings in to climb in.  Wet babies.    Heck of a lot of rain today.  

Ok I know it's July and all but, ...
Do you feed ff through the winter? If yes how do you keep it from freezing?

 

[Shellz]

Ok I know it's July and all but, ...
Do you feed ff through the winter? If yes how do you keep it from freezing?

I used a large heated dog water bowl. Worked great.