Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[Tikkijane]

Tikkijane- great post. Thanks!

After repeatedly answering the same questions in lenght, the FAQ was born. The folks on the other FF pitched in and contributed to post with feedback. You'll see several places where I've linked back to that thread. There is a HUGE amount of info, including linked studies, on that thread.

 

[hannah8]

can someone please clear me up as to what ACV is and where i can get it or make it?

 

[Beekissed]

can someone please clear me up as to what ACV is and where i can get it or make it?

I answered that on the other thread and also gave you a good link for FAQ on FF. Don't worry about the apple cider vinegar as you won't need it to get started.

 

[hannah8]

can some give me the whole low down as to how to ferment my feed for my laying hens? please provide lots of details !! and specific amounts! thanks!

 

[Beekissed]

can some give me the whole low down as to how to ferment my feed for my laying hens? please provide lots of details !! and specific amounts! thanks!

https://tikktok.wordpress.com/2014/04/13/fermented-feed-faq/

 

[lazy gardener]

IMO, it's impossible to give specifics. Every one does it differently. My best suggestion, just go ahead and try it! Mix feed in a container with enough water so there's plenty of room for expansion, and the resulting mix is about the consistency of runny oat meal. Add some ACV with the mother, or don't... it really doesn't matter. let it sit until it bubbles, stirring 1 - 2 x/day. Feed it to the girls. If it's too soupy at this time, add some dry feed to it to make it a consistency that you like. There should be some FF left in your container. Add more water and feed, stir well, and wait till it bubbles. Start with a small container, and play around with the consistency until you get a consistency that you like, then progress to the size container you want/need to use.

 

[hannah8]

t

IMO, it's impossible to give specifics.  Every one does it differently.  My best suggestion, just go ahead and try it!  Mix feed in a container with enough water so there's plenty of room for expansion, and the resulting mix is about the consistency of runny oat meal.  Add some ACV with the mother, or don't... it really doesn't matter.  let it sit until it bubbles, stirring 1 - 2 x/day.  Feed it to the girls.  If it's too soupy at this time, add some dry feed to it to make it a consistency that you like.  There should be some FF left in your container.  Add more water and feed, stir well, and wait till it bubbles.   Start with a small container, and play around with the consistency until you get a consistency that you like, then progress to the size container you want/need to use.

thank you so much

 

[featherfeet1]

Thank you all for the great information on fermenting chicken feed. I have been eating KEFIR (fermented milk) for several years.
I just purchased some parrot seed mix & am seriously thinking of fermenting it. I will look for smaller containers as there is only one hen at the moment but will add about 3-4 more, no roosters.

I am really happy to have stumbled across this information.
Thank you so much,
Salli

 

[cbslingerland]

Hi. I have to jump in here. I've been following this fermenting thread & decided to try it. I made 3 buckets full of their chicken mash & 1 big feed tub half full of cracked corn. I have stired 3+ times a day for over a week now & nothing. It still smells & looks like it did the day I started. No bubbling. No funky smell. No nothing. It still smells like fresh corn. What's up with this? Is it too cold for it to ferment? Thank you

 

[Beekissed]

Hi. I have to jump in here. I've been following this fermenting thread & decided to try it. I made 3 buckets full of their chicken mash & 1 big feed tub half full of cracked corn. I have stired 3+ times a day for over a week now & nothing. It still smells & looks like it did the day I started. No bubbling. No funky smell. No nothing. It still smells like fresh corn. What's up with this? Is it too cold for it to ferment? Thank you

How cold is the place you are keeping your mash and are you leaving it open to air a bit? The cracked corn may take a little longer than more finely ground feed, but it should get there all the same.

Do you live in an arid climate that may not have yeast spores available in the air with which to inoculate your ferment?