Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[JoyfulPromise]

Beekissed - so you would NOT recommend trying to ferment the entire feed with the supplements already in it?

When I mentioned offering free-choice supplements I was actually thinking more of our laying hens, since I think I heard of someone doing it that way before. I agree that the Cornish X are a bit different because of their over-bred metabolism.

The Fishmeal is the main one I worry about leaving out, because it is the main protein booster in our feed as it is hard to get a decent protein amount without soy. Obviously I would hope that the fermenting would increase the natural protein in the grains, but I don't know for sure HOW much. We know by sad experience that if you leave out the animal protein (Fishmeal) then there is MUCH more chance of cannabalism, since chickens are omnivores and need that animal protein/bugs in their diet.

I know somewhere in this thread that there was a discussion on fermenting beans/peas, but am I correct that it is ok if the beans are cracked/coarsely ground? We have been careful to choose beans that do not need roasting, as we are not set up to do that right now.

I look forward to learning more from everyone's experiences, and hope to try fermenting soon!

 

[Island Roo]

One of the feeds I use from the mill has fish meal added to it. It never occurred to me that I should not ferment it ... but have not noticed any problems.

I'm gonna have to look into that.

 

[myhubbycallsmechickeemama]

There are some neat PVC feeders in this thread I think..I got as far as cutting the pipe in half lengthwise, and nobody has the end caps....someday when I go to the box store.....

Don't waste your money on end caps. You seriously don't need them, we bought end caps and I see no point in them at all.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Probably not huh. If i found them for a dollar I'd go for it..I used some broken piece tossed on the scrap heap. I did get 2 four foot and 2 two foot segments.....just gotta find a way to keep them from tipping over...I'd have used the old gutter on the pile but going to use that to collect rain water off the coop...oh well, if they knock it over they have to clean it up! Not me!

 

[Island Roo]

Quote:
People are doing studies on fermented fish products as poultry feed so I suspect we are good to ferment...

http://ps.fass.org/content/69/2/270.abstract

Part of the abstract

Quote:

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

If it can be pickled, it can be fermented-no? Eastern culture have been pickling fish forever right? The question mark is cause isn't this ff a sort of new thing for poultry,?? How long has it been around ? It is good to know (island roo) that it's backed by research-i always suspected pickled herring was good for you!

 

[JoyfulPromise]

Ok, so Fishmeal is fine to ferment. (sounds a little like a tongue-twister)

What about the Poultry Nutribalancer and Kelp? Not necessary? Perhaps sprinkle on the fermented feed as a top dressing?

Thanks for the input everyone! This is starting to look more and more possible!

 

[ChestnutRidge]

My feed from Countryside Organics already has kelp and NutriBalancer mixed in, and I've been fermenting it. I would just ferment your normal mix.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Ideally you could stop buying the extras and just feed fermented, what is kelp anyway but protein...if the protein in corn and such where in a more bioavailable form for digestion, you wouldn't need additives. It would be nice if you could have two tractors, feed one group the usual and the other ff...then compare. Since my chickens don't have access to the pacific kelp beds I'm going with what's available here naturally, like crickets and grasshoppers which they adore. I would put the additives in a free choice feeder and see what happens, it may be that they eat some once they've demolished every bug in sight, or that they don,t want it after eating ff...why not try it and report your findings? I realize your setting may be different than mine so ultimately you know best for yours.

 

[galanie]

I know that when I put out high protien extras such as the soybean meal or ground blackeye peas they sometimes eat it but usually pass it by. I really do think they'll eat what they need and pass it by if they don't.

On the other hand, I do indeed think they need fish meal or kelp or what have you in that food.