Help with fermented feed

[Squawkers]

Could I add apple cider vinegar? I have heard you are not supposed to do that because it turns alcoholic. Would it still work even if the Apple cider vinegar doesn’t have the mother? I don’t think the current one I have in my kitchen has it, and I couldn’t find one with it last time I looked.

 

[Squawkers]

Do you think it is mold? What causes mold?

 

[KristinJoy]

Now I’m confused It doesn’t look like either of those. Not really sure about the color, but it is an extremely thin, solid film. It is not bumpy like either of those.

Do u have a pic?

I’m fermenting crumbles right now and it’s been three days. I don’t see a difference. It looks like mushy now that’s it.

 

[Squawkers]

Do u have a pic?

I’m fermenting crumbles right now and it’s been three days. I don’t see a difference. It looks like mushy now that’s it.

No, I don’t. I wish I did. I might could start some tomorrow and see what it does.

 

[Squawkers]

I started some FF yesterday. I use a coffee container with holes in the top.

This is after about 18 hours.

This is my most recent picture, after about 28 hours. This is as far as I have gotten so far

I did about 2 cups of pelleted feed and about 4.5 cups of water. But the chickens decided to jump on it and knock it onto the ground. I added a little bit of water to try to replace what they spilled, but I but I don’t know how much of what is in there now. The water had been sitting in a jug with the lid off for the last 3 days, so pretty sure there is no chlorine. It has been 95-100 degrees, and I keep it outside.

Chickens

 

[Squawkers]

Now it looks like this, it is less bubbly every time I check on it. Why? There are no bubbles now

 

[Squawkers]

How bubbly is it supposed to be when it is done? It has been a little over two days and the bubbles are close to nothing. It has decreased in the amount of bubbles.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Don't go by other people's photos, unless they're using the exact same feed as you and have similar climate conditions. I get very minimal bubbling but I also deliberately keep the water level very low, so there's no straining step (there's no visible standing water after an hour or so) as my birds don't like it if it's not thick and almost dry like super thick oatmeal.

Since it's hot out, I'd start feeding at 24 hr mark. Fermentation goes much faster and risk of mold is higher at hotter temperatures.

 

[Squawkers]

Don't go by other people's photos, unless they're using the exact same feed as you and have similar climate conditions. I get very minimal bubbling but I also deliberately keep the water level very low, so there's no straining step (there's no visible standing water after an hour or so) as my birds don't like it if it's not thick and almost dry like super thick oatmeal.

Since it's hot out, I'd start feeding at 24 hr mark. Fermentation goes much faster and risk of mold is higher at hotter temperatures.

Thank you! I noticed the bubbling decreased after about 24 hours. I have heard that some people keep the same food and just add a little more dry food every day. Is that not good in high heat? I was thinking about doing that. What is the water to food ratio that you use?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Thank you! I noticed the bubbling decreased after about 24 hours. I have heard that some people keep the same food and just add a little more dry food every day. Is that not good in high heat? I was thinking about doing that. What is the water to food ratio that you use?

I usually make enough for about 3 days, and then add more dry feed and water to make a new batch on top of the remaining FF. The remaining FF helps kickstart the next ferment. In hot weather, I don't like keeping a jar around more than 3 days or so because I've had mold before (very rarely) and it can get sour smelling so fast (as I keep it inside the house, next to the kitchen lol).

I don't have a set ratio of food to water. I add enough water to just exceed the level of food by about 1/2" (it varies, when it's hot I might add more, when it's cool I add less). I made a batch this morning so you can see the water level at the start, and then now (about 8 hours later). But keep in mind this is what works for the feed I use and the temperatures we have, it takes a bit of trial and error to figure out what works for you.

Around 9 AM (maybe a little under 1/2" of water here)

Around 5 PM (water was absorbed hours ago, and you can see how much "puffier" it is with air bubbles trapped inside)