First time fermenting chicken feed

[jeria]

Thanks, I'm used to clicking on link and having it work. Didn't know there is another method.

 

[lazy gardener]

The link must show up in blue for that to work. Since we've switched over to the new "address", I find I have to pay money to have that feature attached to my signature. I'm not at all pleased with that, but... too much of a cheap skate to shell out money to add that feature. But, you can always highlight a link, and then paste it into a new tab, or the search bar on this forum.

 

[jeria]

thanks for the info

 

[jeria]

Without reading through 900 or so pages re: fermenting, I do have a question. The tikktok article is very informative. We have a horrible problem with fruit flies where I am. I'm seriously considering this however I do not need my house over run with the tiny flies. I will need to do this in my finished basement They have even snuck into beer and wine and ruined batch after batch fermenting with airlocks.

Will fruit flies spoil it since the chicks eat bugs and to somewhat control them would a 5 gallon beer/wine fermenting bucket work with an airlock after the first couple days maybe those days with heavy cheese cloth over the top? Even a partially finished cup of coffee left on a counter and I have fruit flies.

 

[lazy gardener]

I think some people have fermented with an airlock. I don't know how an airlock works, But am guessing you would have to leave your ferment open to the air initially to get the SCOBY going. Cheese cloth would work. Sounds like you have a fruit fly invasion. Have you considered your sink trap as a breeding ground for them? I know that when they invade my kitchen during tomato season, if I keep all fruit covered with a towel, the fruit flies will persist UNLESS I close the sink drain and fill the strainer with bleach water every night. (then every morning, I make sure to flush out the trap with hot water.) Can you do your ferment outside? The fruit flies wouldn't hurt your ferment, as far as I know, but I'd try to avoid them if at all possible.

 

[jeria]

Thanks lazy gardener, I love your name by the way. I'm trying to get my yard that way. Work hard in the spring and with mulch etc, mostly does it on it's own after that. I hate weeding. Outside is really hot in the summer, cold in winter, unpredictable for spring and fall, so no idea how consistent that would be.

Fermenting in a beer fermenter: 5 gal plastic bucket with a cover, the cover has a small hole in the top with a rubber grommet. Into the grommet goes and air lock that essentially lets air bubbles out, you keep the basin in it filled with water to keep contaminates out and the excess air from the fermentation bubbles through the water and out the lock. It does not allow air back in as long as you make sure it has water in it.

I don't know anyone around who doesn't have fruit fly problems at least 9 mos a year and sometimes in dead winter. The only fruit I dare to keep out is bananas until they turn all yellow then they are popped in the frig. Veggies: some onions and potatoes in a basket, but not for long. Tomatoes, they get under any covers.. Will try the bleach idea though in my sink. I spray them with alcohol and it kills them. Yellow sticky fly traps will also catch them, sugar water also attracts and drowns them. I quit making beer and wine because they ruin it but the equipment is in my attic.

My chicks in the basement keep grabbing the pesky little critters. No food down there except their crumbles.

 

[blackdog043]

I use a 2 gallon glass jar, something like this. You could put a stocking over the opening to keep the fruit flies out and put your sugar water next to it to kill them. Mine just sits on the kitchen counter open, no fruit fly problems though. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Anchor-Hocking-69372MN-2-Gallon-Glass-Heritage-Jar/16486707

 

[lazy gardener]

A vaccuume cleaner does a good job sucking the beasties up, but it will not erradicate them. I suggest you treat every trap in your house, keeping them closed, or covered with a bit of bleach water 24/7 for 2 weeks, and see if that eliminates the problem.

I did a little research on the little beasties. It takes about 10 days minimum at ideal temperatures to complete a life cycle. At colder temps, it will take longer. So, you will have to eliminate ALL areas where they could have access to a moist and nourishing environment for a few days past their life cycle in order to eliminate them. If they are getting in through a window screen, that's a whole other matter, but I suspect, they have found a breeding ground in your house, and I suspect your drain traps.

Life cycle of Drosophila
The drosophila egg is about half a millimeter long. It takes about one day after fertilisation for the embryo to develop and hatch into a worm-like larva. The larva eats and grows continuously, moulting one day, two days, and four days after hatching (first, second and third instars). After two days as a third instar larva, it moults one more time to form an immobile pupa. Over the next four days, the body is completely remodelled to give the adult winged form, which then hatches from the pupal case and is fertile within about 12 hours. (timing is for 25°C; at 18°, development takes twice as long.)