Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[cutechick2010]

I don't know of a reason off the top of my head, can't think of anything in there that would harm a goat.

I know my goats have sure been begging for the fermented oats I am feeding the chickens! I let them lick out the pitcher after I fed today, you would think it was candy from the way they acted, LOL.

 

[delisha]

Quote: If you milk the goat you have to be careful.You might want to do the FF instead of the sweet feed at milking time...if you don't..a small amount will not hurt.

 

[Suzierd]

I don't know of a reason off the top of my head, can't think of anything in there that would harm a goat.

Ok thank you, I was worried their might be animal protien in some of it and I didn't think a goat should eat that.
Delisha I don't milk them thank you.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I don't know of a reason off the top of my head, can't think of anything in there that would harm a goat.

Does your feed have fish meal or animal protein of any source in it? That would be an issue.

ETA: I wrote this before I saw what you wrote above. Sorry...redundant...but you should check the ingredients if you have a purchased feed for the animal products.

 

[pigeonguy]

Fermented chicken feeder. Take a 4 inch piece of PVC pipe glue end caps on it then cut it in half length ways. mount half to the stand trough side up at the height you want the chickens to eat (I prefer the tops of there backs as the height) Then put the other half piece trough side down above it with about a 6 to 8 inch gap between the top and bottom half. Make the top half so it can be removed to fill the feeder. This makes a trough that the chickens can get there head into to eat but can not get in the food to scratch. They also can not roost on top of the feeder because PVC pipe is slippery so with the dome side up they just slide off.
Mine is like this except suspended by chains from the ceiling with adjustable height no 2x4 stand. Mine is also 5 feet long because I go by the rule of 4 inches of feeder per chicken 5 ft = 60 inches per side times 2 sides = 120 inches + 4 = 30 chickens. The real bottom line is my 31 feed there comfortably.
For those that don't know. To draw a straight line on PVC pipe take a piece of angle iron lay it on the pipe so it looks like an upside down V. That will create a straight edge to draw the line.

I have been feeding FF for a few weeks now and both my flock and I like it. What I don't like is the feeders that I am feeding in. What worked before no longer works. What type of feeders are you using that will keep the birds out of the food, by that I mean, no jumping in and scratching around. I am interested in something that can be made or is repurposed, and that will stay up off the ground whether inside or outside. Pics? I know someone clever has come up with a no tip, no scratch, easy cleaning FF feeder.

 

[outdoorlvr35]

Question...

Has anyone observed any changes in the shedding of intestinal lining in the feces in FF vs bagged feed?

Got a question, I know i red this in another thread even saw pictures. Is the shedding of intestinal lining the lil bit of white i'm seeing in there poo?

Also I was reading the last pages of this thread about the difference in goats and sheep. Just a warning for anyone not familar with sheep, Make sure if you try FF with them and are mixing your own grains they cannot have feed with copper in it. It acts like a poison to them. Don't know alot bout sheep just what i learned last year while my daughter was raising sheep at our school barn for FFA. Sheep on one side barn, Hogs on the other and kids kept spilling hog feed in the middle. None ever got sick though.

 

[aoxa]

Question...

Has anyone observed any changes in the shedding of intestinal lining in the feces in FF vs bagged feed?

 Got a question, I know i red this in another thread even saw pictures. Is the shedding of intestinal lining the lil bit of white i'm seeing in there poo? 

Also I was reading the last pages of this thread about the difference in goats and sheep.  Just a warning for anyone not familar with sheep, Make sure if you try FF with them and are mixing your own grains they cannot have feed with copper in it. It acts like a poison to them.  Don't know alot bout sheep just what i learned last year while my daughter was raising sheep at our school barn for FFA. Sheep on one side barn, Hogs on the other and kids kept spilling hog feed in the middle. None ever got sick though.

The little bit of white is urate. It's the bird equivalent of pee.

 

[bobbieschicks]

The chickens have stopped eating the fermented feed and are eating the dry food instead. I've decided to let them have at it for the winter and try again in the spring as my batch of feed was smelling more like vomit then sour dough.

 

[smyers32]

The room my FF is in smells really sour and gross, but when I smell the feed itself it smells better. I've noticed if I let it get too dry the smell is much strong and much stinkier. I just use the one bucket method. My chickens still love it no matter how smelly it is. But I don't offer them any dry feed. I bet yours would still eat the FF if they didn't have the other available. (though I'm not sure I'd feed vomit-smelling stuff).

Side note: I used to live in KG!

 

[bobbieschicks]

The room my FF is in smells really sour and gross, but when I smell the feed itself it smells better. I've noticed if I let it get too dry the smell is much strong and much stinkier. I just use the one bucket method. My chickens still love it no matter how smelly it is. But I don't offer them any dry feed. I bet yours would still eat the FF if they didn't have the other available. (though I'm not sure I'd feed vomit-smelling stuff).

Side note: I used to live in KG!

When did you move away? You probably wouldn't recognize it if it's been awhile. We're really booming now - we have a Walmart - hahaha!