Fermenting feed

[Claires dad]

I have been trying to ferment feed and it seems like I don't get the bubbles like what I've seen on demonstrations. I have put it in a bucket with holes inside another bucket filled with water and acv with mother. Is it still working but just not going hard. Am I missing something? I have it inside. Thanks for any advice.

Claire's dad

 

[enola]

Are you using ACV with "the mother"?

 

[Claires dad]

Yes

 

[pdirt]

Some ferments get more bubbly than others. How long has yours been going? Did you use chlorinated water? You should notice a slightly sour or sweet-sour smell after 3-4 days, bubbles or not. If you do, you're on the right track, if not wait a few more days. Temps below 65F can really slow down fermentation...it might still be happening, but harder to tell. Give it more time.

For the record, you don't need ACV with the mother. Or any vinegar. Whereas I think ACV with the mother is nutritionally superior to pasteurized vinegar, you would be using such a small amount of it in fermented feed, that it really makes no difference. The main reason to use ACV (or white vinegar or rice wine vinegar, etc) is to slightly lower the pH (make it more acidic) so that the beneficial bacteria get a leg up as establishing themselves as the dominant bacteria. Usually they will win anyways without vinegar, but a small bit of vinegar will hedge your bets.

Let us know how it goes.

 

[yyz0yyz0]

My FF is kept in the garage where it's cooler, I get very little in the way of bubbles unless I stir it. But I am getting fermentation and the smell is correct. It's just much slower in the cool temps of my garage.

 

[Claires dad]

Thanks for the info. I leave it sit for 24 hours and I stir it at least twice during the day. Is this long enough and how long will it last in the feeder if the chicks don't eat it all? Have a great day everyone

 

[GAFarmGirl87]

Question: I started fermented feed over a week ago, and I've had a noticeable drop in egg production. I'm pretty sure I'm just not giving them enough feed.

I use Tucker Milling layer pellets. I add a little 5-grain scratch in the FF too. I use Well water.

I give 3 oz of DRY feed per chicken.
How many ounces of FF should I be giving each chicken???

Any suggestions or advice from someone more experienced using FF??

 

[pdirt]

I feed about 1/2 c fermented feed per bird. I also offer some dry feed free choice and they free range. Pretty soon I am going to cut out the dry feed and double their ff. if by end of day they still have feed then I know I gave them too much. Since the feed is fermented, it won't go bad or at least not for several days.

 

[subhanalah]

My FF got started better without the ACV in it. Just food and water mixed into an oatmeal consistency. I started seeing bubbles after just one day.

 

[GAFarmGirl87]

I feed about 1/2 c fermented feed per bird. I also offer some dry feed free choice and they free range. Pretty soon I am going to cut out the dry feed and double their ff. if by end of day they still have feed then I know I gave them too much. Since the feed is fermented, it won't go bad or at least not for several days.

Thanks! I'll try that.