Fermenting troubles!

[rosemarythyme]

I did have mold issues this summer when it got hot, that seemed to get all the mold spores activating like crazy. I kept it in check by using up each batch promptly (1 to 3 days) and cleaning out the container (I use a large glass jar) thoroughly after each batch.

Now that it's cooler I no longer have that problem and can use leftover FF to help activate the next batch.

 

[holm25]

Ok this will most likely be my last post on here but I don't think your hen was skin and bones because she couldn't eat. They don't wet feed at big farms for them. And I have a hen with NO beak at all and she eats crumbles with no issue... Just say that wetting feed won't help with their ability to eat it...


Here is beaky... She is one of my "special birds" that has a life pass. She eats just about everything without any issues...

 

[Lazy Farmer]

good thread... great topic. Pros and cons to a subject I am new to. Thanks towards all contributors...

 

[Smuvers Farm]

I FF, but I am not getting into the discussion. I am simply here to correct some MISINFORMATION.

The white stuff that grows on top of fermented feed is NOT a SCOBY. NOT A SCOBY. It is KAHM YEAST. Not harmful, just stir it back into the feed.

 

[venymae]

I don't make fermented feed. I couldn't get it correct! However I do feed my chickens chopped up SCOBYs from my Kombucha (fermented tea) batches when I get too many. They LOVE LOVE LOVE them! And considering it's a pancake made of yeast and bacteria I'd say it's pretty beneficial as a probiotic!

 

[PirateGirl]

I FF, but I am not getting into the discussion. I am simply here to correct some MISINFORMATION.

The white stuff that grows on top of fermented feed is NOT a SCOBY. NOT A SCOBY. It is KAHM YEAST. Not harmful, just stir it back into the feed.

Educate me! Seriously. I did a google search to understand this and didn't get myself a good answer. Is kahm yeast not a type of scoby? I'm confused. I know what it's called does not matter to my chickens but I am trying to better understand this process as it applies to my feed among other things. Thanks for your help!

 

[PirateGirl]

Also the OP was asking about mold, and this blog article gives a really good visual description of differentiating between good stuff and bad stuff growing on the surface of your ferment.

http://www.fermentools.com/blog/what-is-kahm-yeast/

 

[lazy gardener]

I FF, but I am not getting into the discussion. I am simply here to correct some MISINFORMATION.

The white stuff that grows on top of fermented feed is NOT a SCOBY. NOT A SCOBY. It is KAHM YEAST. Not harmful, just stir it back into the feed.

Educate me! Seriously. I did a google search to understand this and didn't get myself a good answer. Is kahm yeast not a type of scoby? I'm confused. I know what it's called does not matter to my chickens but I am trying to better understand this process as it applies to my feed among other things. Thanks for your help!

I believe that this is a case of semantics. Why argue the words? Kahm is a type of yeast. SF, please correct me if my google search on Kahm is not correct.

"SCOBY" is actually an acronym: Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria and Yeast. So, SCOBY can be a combination of Kahm, other kinds of yeasts, and bacteria. A natural SCOBY will develop simply by allowing your feed to be exposed to the yeasts and bacteria floating around in the air of every home.

So, why make this more confusing than it needs to be. The old timers made sour kraut from natural "floaties". They also preserved other food items from natural "floaties". It has been a well recognized method of food preservation and enhancement for thousands of years, across all cultures.

 

[PirateGirl]

I believe that this is a case of semantics. Why argue the words? Kahm is a type of yeast. SF, please correct me if my google search on Kahm is not correct.

"SCOBY" is actually an acronym: Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria and Yeast. So, SCOBY can be a combination of Kahm, other kinds of yeasts, and bacteria. A natural SCOBY will develop simply by allowing your feed to be exposed to the yeasts and bacteria floating around in the air of every home.

So, why make this more confusing than it needs to be. The old timers made sour kraut from natural "floaties". They also preserved other food items from natural "floaties". It has been a well recognized method of food preservation and enhancement for thousands of years, across all cultures.

It is now technically "floaties" from here on out in my kitchen

 

[Smuvers Farm]

@lazy gardener, it's not a matter of *semantics*, they are two different things.

SCOBY are only formed in kombucha. They cannot be formed from or with kahm yeast, as kahm yeast IS a type of mold.... although a mostly benign one. People also think, when making apple cider vinegar, the starter is called a SCOBY... but it is, in fact, called a Mother.

There are billions and billions of beneficial bacteria, molds, *floaties*, etc. Quite a number of them have been labeled. I would just hate for someone to see *something* and, because of misinformation, have an issue.

Kahm yeast, white and web-ish looking:


SCOBY, squid/jellyfish looking:


Next time I see the kahm yeast in my fermented feed, I'll take a pic and post it, along side the SCOBY I have growing on my counter.

Edit to tag @PirateGirl