Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[Leahs Mom]

Trying FF for my layers (in super small batch).

I have 2 cups dry pellets (5% is scratch grains) in with water to cover the mass. and 1 tbsp ACV (organic with mother) in the mix
This was about 48 hours ago.
Indoors temps 60-70 F no sunlight with lid cracked open on top (foodgrade professional plastic storage container).

Still smells sweet (like feed) - no bubbles.

Am I doing something wrong?

I'd put in a little more ACV and NO....You'r not doing anything wrong. Takes a few days to get going!

 

[aoxa]

I'd put in a little more ACV and NO....You'r not doing anything wrong.  Takes a few days to get going!

I agree, more ACV It took four or five days for the bubbling - and it only bubbled when I stirred.

 

[mickey328]

Gave the girls their first FF just now, and they LOVED it! I'm so excited!

 

[aoxa]

Gave the girls their first FF just now, and they LOVED it!  I'm so excited!

 

[Pozees]

Do pellets expand more in water than crumble? Would I get more of a mass out of a bag of pellets than a bag of crumbles?
If this sounds stupid I apologize. I am off coffee now.. Have been having an awful lot of PVCS because of it. I am not all that intelligent until I get used to the change.

My sympathies. Since pellets are compressed crumble, by weight they actually might expand more. Never thought about that.

 

[bruceh]

[COLOR=4B0082]I've started my ff with just grains. Now they can pick out the alfalfa and they do. So, I'm wondering about green stuff. I've given them alfalfa from a bale before but I see them running around with sticks coming out of their throats. Doesn't anybody worry about crop impaction with this type of feeding? My birds all LOVE clover. I need to get some planted so I can have a source of green feed for them that I can mix into their food or just give it to them loose. I don't know if I could do it now though with winter coming. Anybody have any experience in this area?[/COLOR]

Actually you can plant clover in the winter. If I find the article I'll post it for you. But, you can thrown the seed down before a frost, and when the ground freezes and cracks the seeds fall in. Then when it melts your clover grows. I've been researching clover for a while now, and plan to throw some seed in the run in Febuary. I'll find that link for you.[/QUOTE]
i use a fine ground alfalfa . it can be bought at a mill.if ferment as a powder in their ration.

 

[aoxa]

My sympathies.  Since pellets are compressed crumble, by weight they actually might expand more.  Never thought about that.

Well I think it just may expand to more. 1 bag made a lot more in the garbage bin than crumble did. Anyone else care to weigh in?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well I think it just may expand to more. 1 bag made a lot more in the garbage bin than crumble did. Anyone else care to weigh in?

Aoxa have you offered the ff to your ducks and geese? are they eating it? only a few of my ducks will eat it and only my goose will nibble at it.

 

[aoxa]

Aoxa have you offered the ff to your ducks and geese? are they eating it?  only a few of my ducks will eat it and only my goose will nibble at it. 

Oh my gosh they LOVE it. They like it more than the chickens, but not as much as the chicks.

This is just my distributing bucket. They were impatient.

 

[Ashdoes]

The best time to see bubbles- When the FF needs more water, just pour the water over the top, and don't stir it. After an hour you can see it cooking. I'm not sure why it works like that, but I've done it a couple times, and it just seems to be more visible in a thinner consistency.
ETA~ I also always use hot water in the FF.