Fermenting Questions

[AllenK RGV]

If I have extra feed left at the end of the day, I either set it into the coop, or carry it into my garage. I try to never leave feed out in the run overnight.

There is no need to throw away FF left at the end of the day, unless you are in the middle of a hot summer, and the feed is clearly rancid.

FYI, FF is THE SOLE RATION offered to my flock. I've been using it for over 4 years. occasionally, they do get dry feed, if it's the end of the day, and they are telling me that their morning ration was not enough, and I don't want to trundle out the FF bucket again. Occasionally, I use some scratch grain to black mail the flock back into their run. (Usually in response to a predator alert). And, they get sprouted grains (in addition to their fermented pellets) during the snow months. But, on a week in/week out basis, fermented feed is their sole ration.

I tried the sprouts back when my clutch was probably 4 weeks of age, I should probably give it a try again now they are 4 months or so in age and everyone seemed to be fine eating entire pumpkin seeds for all hallowed eve when we were pumpkin scraping. Another feeding project I am considering is to convert a 55 gallon drum into a Black Soldier Fly Larva(BSF, or BSFL) trap for my compost bin. My research is showing that they are not a vector for disease or parasites, and they can convert 42% of biomass to protein.

EDIT- editing in the basis for the design I will modify at a later moment. Here is a link to a design I like but I do not like 100% of the design elements so will be modifying it some. https://gardenpool.org/beneficial-insects/black-soldier-fly-composter-automatic-chicken-feeder

 

[lazy gardener]

You are so blessed to have a climate where BSF are an option! If I thought I could over winter a culture of them in my green house, I'd order a starter culture of them. But, I'm fairly confident that they would not survive the winter. Some folks set up their BSF bins so the larvae crawl directly into a collection container in the run. You could set up a feed trough as a collection container! Of course, it might be wise to collect them for eating only part of the time, so part of your colony gets to complete pupation to build future population.

I've wondered if a bug zapper would be a nice addition to the yard to provide some "animal protein". I'm not keen on them, and would not want one to be casting light near the chicken run at night, so have not explored this option. Any readers used bug zappers to augment bird feed?

 

[AllenK RGV]

I would agree the feed trough is the best option as many would escape to repopulate. I came to the realization that they were already in my environment when I relocated my compost heap to enrich my Plumeria's soil. The chicken found so many BSF larvae scratching in what was left in the old location. It kept them busy for 24 hours straight.

 

[Molpet]

You are so blessed to have a climate where BSF are an option! If I thought I could over winter a culture of them in my green house, I'd order a starter culture of them. But, I'm fairly confident that they would not survive the winter. Some folks set up their BSF bins so the larvae crawl directly into a collection container in the run. You could set up a feed trough as a collection container! Of course, it might be wise to collect them for eating only part of the time, so part of your colony gets to complete pupation to build future population.

I've wondered if a bug zapper would be a nice addition to the yard to provide some "animal protein". I'm not keen on them, and would not want one to be casting light near the chicken run at night, so have not explored this option. Any readers used bug zappers to augment bird feed?

http://www.blacksoldierflyfarming.com/faq/bsf-on-the-map

 

[lazy gardener]

I'd love to hear who's doing the BSF project in Maine!

 

[Molpet]

I'd love to hear who's doing the BSF project in Maine!

natieBSF
http://www.blacksoldierflyfarming.com/forum/search?query=Maine&searchdate=all&childforums=1&start=80

 

[AllenK RGV]

http://www.blacksoldierflyfarming.com/faq/bsf-on-the-map
View attachment 1176667

HEy that map missed one! I drove down into my part of Texas and one person is doing that in McAllen Texas one county over from me. I just know from direct observation of a moved compost bin that we also have em here. Plus I was really surprised the ones in the dirt under the pile had pretty thick leathery hides. Initially it really confused the chicken cause they were not able to get to juices easily by biting them. The earlier instars were a non issue for them just the tough grub stage was the last to be eaten.