Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[heavygear88]

so lets say around your average household temperature how quick would it ferment to the point you can feed it

 

[Melabella]

Ask and ye shall receive! http://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.com/2012/11/how-to-ferment-feed-for-healthier.html One of our very own BYCers has created a blog site and has included a helpful tutorial for all the newbies!

WOW... Wonderful. Thank you Bee and whomever the BYCer is who created this blog. You guys ROCK!

 

[Beekissed]

That would be Bulldogma!

 

[heavygear88]

i checked out that article... and hahah no more questions about fermented feed that pretty much answered them all

 

[PeepsCA]

I've only had my FF going for a little over 3 wks now, but was worried about a build up of molds on the insides of the FF bucket that I see so many posting about... so after I scoop out the FF that I need to feed my birds for the day I'll add a little water using a plant watering can and that allows me to rinse down the insides of the bucket (the hose on a low pressure works too but the watering can seems more controlled to me). Then I add dry feed to bring the food mass back up, mix well, top it off with more water rinsing the sides of the bucket again, then leave it alone to do it's magic for another 24 hrs. This has worked great so far, there's nothing funky growing on the sides on my bucket, there's no bad smell and the birds are loving their FF.

 

[Mumsy]

I keep about a gallon and a half going and keep the sides of the bucket scraped down with a large silicone spatula. I stir with it then scrape the sides down. I rinse the spatula after each stir. So far, no problems. I put back the same amount of fresh feed into it after I take out to feed each night. Stir it in, add water if needed, drape a towel over it and forget about it.

 

[Melabella]

That would be Bulldogma!

So, not only has she given me many smiles with

"The Swedish HenHouse Sister-Wives of P. County"

, I now have another read to be eternally grateful!

Three Cheers for Bulldogma!!!!

 

[smyers32]

I don't know if it is just concurrent timing with my chickens finally settling into their environment or if it really is the change in feed, but since starting on FF my flock has significantly increased foraging time and area. They used to stay within about 15-20 feet of the barn, now they're going 40-50 yards out(not in the direction I wanted them to go of course). Also, before FF I would take the dry food away during the day to encourage foraging and the would all come running in with empty crops at the end of the day dying to get to the feeder. Now they have full crops all thru the day. I can't think of any reason why a change in food would actually make them better at foraging....but I can't argue with what I'm seeing.

And I'm certainly not complaining!!
Additionally, I was previously getting 4-5 eggs a week, now I'm getting 1-3 a day. I'm sure recovering from molt has something to do with better production, but I give some credit to FF and the improved foraging that has developed with it.

 

[Beekissed]

Maybe the increase in enzymes in the bowel is making everything they forage more digestible? I'm thinking with the increase in the ability to digest maybe it moves the foods along a little more quickly and triggers them to eat more? Just spitballing a theory....

 

[Tivona]

I've only had my FF going for a little over 3 wks now, but was worried about a build up of molds on the insides of the FF bucket that I see so many posting about... so after I scoop out the FF that I need to feed my birds for the day I'll add a little water using a plant watering can and that allows me to rinse down the insides of the bucket (the hose on a low pressure works too but the watering can seems more controlled to me). Then I add dry feed to bring the food mass back up, mix well, top it off with more water rinsing the sides of the bucket again, then leave it alone to do it's magic for another 24 hrs. This has worked great so far, there's nothing funky growing on the sides on my bucket, there's no bad smell and the birds are loving their FF.

I have been doing almost the exact same thing. Here in Oregon mold can be a problem quick with the damp and dark so the ff container was a concern to me for the mold. I use the hose and a nozzle with the water coming out slow to prevent splashing to rinse the sides before I leave it. I have been doing this for a couple of months now and the only mold I have seen was on the lid which I had not been rinsing. Got the lid washed and started rinsing it daily as well and haven't seen any problems since.