Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[tjo804]

Quote: Perfect . thank you
I use purina layena (my ladies don't like the other stuff available as a whole) I tried doing individual grains but the nutrition and math is not a strong suit for me. I feel better knowing someone smarter than me figured it out already.

I have had a rough year and been off my game with the Ladies they look like they are in great need of FF. after using it even for just a little while I quickly learned the signs of an off hen and I know it is time all mine get a dose of TLC! that in my house is FF.

I was wondering about additions as i just got my first batch of Silkie Chicks and been reading that they are prone to vitamin deficiencies With the humidity we are having this year I was also worried about electrolytes. Guess I should just keep it simple

 

[lazy gardener]

When starting chicks, I will often give them some Poultry Nutri-Drench. I alternate 1 qt. of plain water with 1 qt. of water with ND for the first week. Silkies do seem to be more prone to neuro issues often associated with Vitamin deficiency or poor metabolism, so it wouldn't be a bad idea.. An other issue is to check the date on your feed. Some feed stores are notorious for selling old feed. A local store near me was selling stuff that was 4 months old!

 

[Robert M]

When starting chicks, I will often give them some Poultry Nutri-Drench. I alternate 1 qt. of plain water with 1 qt. of water with ND for the first week. Silkies do seem to be more prone to neuro issues often associated with Vitamin deficiency or poor metabolism, so it wouldn't be a bad idea.. An other issue is to check the date on your feed. Some feed stores are notorious for selling old feed. A local store near me was selling stuff that was 4 months old!

Buy uit at a discount and ferment it. Fermented food will last for many days.

Am I right people?

 

[tjo804]

Quote:
Wouldn't most of the nutrients and such leech out of the feed over time?

 

[lazy gardener]

Processed feed starts to loose nutrients almost immediately after it's milled. It will also go rancid over time. As a matter of fact, at least where I am, if feed is being sold at a discount, you can bet that it's too old to be of any value. I quote Jeff Mattocks in "The small scale poultry flock". (An excellent book authored by Harvey Ussery) "Feeds are at the optimum level for up to 14 days, and are satisfactory up to 45 days after grinding or milling. After 45 days, the feed is generally so stale or oxidized that poultry appetite will be severely depressed. Oxidation starts immediately after the grinding or cracking of the grain."

 

[katbriar]

I'm just going to jump in to give a "can do" to those wondering about fermenting at high altitude and low humidity.

I live in high desert country at 7500 feet where we get 7-12 inches of rain per year. Our humidity is usually in the 20s. Heck it rained today and it's still only 32% right now. I've fermented for chicks, layers and meat birds. My FF was ready in 3-4 days with no added anythings, only water feed.

My birds did very well on it. Even raised a batch of 25 meat birds without one loss to flip, heart attack, bad legs or ascites.

Try it- it's probably easier than you think!

 

[Robert M]

Wouldn't most of the nutrients and such leech out of the feed over time?

Where is going to leach to? In the bucket? Or am I misunderstanding the question?

 

[shortgrass]

Where is going to leach to?  In the bucket?  Or am I misunderstanding the question?

Lol..the bucket...sorry lol that's funny!

I was wondering when I saw that question but I wondered if the composition of the nutrients CHANGE at all with time? Bacteria concentrations would increase/decrease or alter certain nutrients depending on where it is in the fermenting process?

Lol our silage just gets heaped in a huge mountain and we scoop from it until spring...so I'm not too savvy on this "time" thing lol.... All I notice is the smell gets richer by the end of winter and the silage gas been steaming all winter...never noticed any kind of decrease in performance or gain...

But obviously a 50 ton pile is going to colonize at a different rate, especially when doing this firm of FF, where you're adding yeast....I've never worked with yeast.....never had to

 

[Robert M]

Well, yeast would just be a kicker, I suppose, but I'd rather (myself) have a yeast I know than ones I didn't, in the free air.
I would suggest keeping the buckets/containers covered wit a dense cloth, with a band around it to keep it tight.
I would also recommend keeping said cloth(s) clean, and don't reverse it and allow the outside to become the inside, where all the "bacteria" would be.

IMNSHO

Hahahahahaaaaa!

 

[enola]

A cover is not necessary. I have fermented for months at a time and 'bad' bacteria or yeasts have never taken over. And I ferment my feed right in the building my chickens are in. I don't even wash my buckets I use to ferment the feed in.

Adding yeast to ferment feed is just not necessary.