Fermenting Feed

[Ahavati]

I've been feeding fermented feed for over a year. We hand mix our grains so we don't ferment layer feeds. But, you do not want to do the entire bag.

We have a 5 gallon bucket. I usually fill it 3/4 of the way with the grains we feed, add any additional things we add (kelp/nutrients/oregano/etc). Then I fill the bucket with water and give a good stir. If it's just started, I let it sit 2-3 days depending on weather. But mine has been started for a long time, I backslop. Basically that bucket lasts about 2-3 days for me. It does not mold and doesn't stink.

When I get down to the last bit, I leave a little and a bit of the water (mine doesn't have a lot left as it soaks most) and add fresh grain and supplements and water and stir good then use the next morning. I do keep a lid on mine because mice will get into the bucket, I leave ours outside in the carport. I've never had any issues with air exchange as we are in it each morning. Mine also get daily produce/egg shell scraps with it as well.

Ours love it and look great!

 

[Molpet]

I have been feeding FF since 2015 .. I started with crumbles or pellets and now use a milled grain mash... the amount of water differs with the feed... even different mill feed takes different amounts of water.. mine like it so the spoon stands up in it.

I use this method.
https://tikktok.wordpress.com/2014/04/13/fermented-feed-faq/

 

[JaeG]

I've never had mold on mine and I haven't washed my container since I began it last winter. It's been a long, hot, very humid summer here in New Zealand. I have not had even a hint of mold in/on my fermented feed. I've tried sprouting wheat and that went moldy very quickly in this weather though.

 

[Sutherlandfarms]

I've never had mold on mine and I haven't washed my container since I began it last winter. It's been a long, hot, very humid summer here in New Zealand. I have not had even a hint of mold in/on my fermented feed. I've tried sprouting wheat and that went moldy very quickly in this weather though.

I live in southeast Texas and I believe we have a similar climate. I so far haven’t had any mold in the two weeks I’ve been fermenting and have been backslopping

 

[Rlmp817]

How old do you start birds on fermented food?

 

[Molpet]

How old do you start birds on fermented food?

I start right away when they hatch, I use a dryer mix so they don't take a mud bath in it... when I have chicks in the coop I feed everyone starter.

 

[Ahavati]

How old do you start birds on fermented food?

We start within the first week.

 

[lazy gardener]

How old do you start birds on fermented food?

We start within the first week.

I also start in the first week. When chicks come out of the incubator, they start with paper towel over the shavings. (I start them in a large appliance box in the garage with MHP style brooding).

I sprinkle some dry crumble on the paper towel, and even a bit just inside the opening of the MHP. I also set up a feeder and waterer very close to the MHP. Once they are eating and drinking, I move the feeder and waterer farther away from MHP, and start the fermented feed. I also give them a plug of sod as soon as they are eating and drinking well.