Help with fermented feed

[Debbie292d]

I'm a bit surprised nobody has mentioned that in most cases, fermenting commercial feed is a waste of your time and is potentially harmfull due to the water content in the fermented feed reducing the overall nutrition available per serving.
The point of fermenting is to reduce the chemicals that inhibit the bioavailability of the feed constituents. Commercial feed has already undergone crushing and heating, the hulls stripped from any grains and the vitamins and minerals (often synthetic) sprayed onto the base feed in the manufacturing process.
A bit of research into the making of commercial feed might be helpful as might these two articles, one of which is a light hearted look at my results of fermenting commercial feed and the other a rather more serious look at the pitfalls of both fermentation and mashes.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...o-fermented-facts-myths-and-experience.74414/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...fluence-it-may-have-on-feeding-regimes.79124/

As I said above, I've been fermenting for years, but it's mostly whole grains (not cracked, cut, rolled, or processed.) We buy hard red winter wheat and whole oats in 50# bags at the feed mill. I purchase the chia and flax off Amazon. The HHR (Henhouse Reserve) which is half of the mix, started off being because I was trying to get rid of it, but then I stuck with it and continue to buy it just for mixing with grains for the ferment or chicken treats.

I also don't overdo it, so a quart is shared between about 15 adult chickens per day, every other day.

Most free-range and will come to peck at some of this throughout their day. It's better for them than bugs and weeds.

I also sprout the wheat in trays for the chickens in the breeding pens who don't get grass, about once a week or two.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Is this mold or that yeast? View attachment 3882007View attachment 3882008View attachment 3882009

Hmm, not sure. Is it fuzzy or powdery? When you scoop out a clump it is just on the surface or is it going down further than just surface level?

 

[Squawkers]

Hmm, not sure. Is it fuzzy or powdery? When you scoop out a clump it is just on the surface or is it going down further than just surface level?

Pretty sure it was more powdery. I cannot answer the other question I’ve already disposed of it. But what does it mean if it goes further than just surface level?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Pretty sure it was more powdery. I cannot answer the other question I’ve already disposed of it. But what does it mean if it goes further than just surface level?

Trying to determine if it's mold or yeast. Mold may have filaments that work below surface level (which is why general advice is to toss anything moldy, not just remove moldy parts) whereas yeast sits on the surface.

 

[Squawkers]

I'm a bit surprised nobody has mentioned that in most cases, fermenting commercial feed is a waste of your time and is potentially harmfull due to the water content in the fermented feed reducing the overall nutrition available per serving.
The point of fermenting is to reduce the chemicals that inhibit the bioavailability of the feed constituents. Commercial feed has already undergone crushing and heating, the hulls stripped from any grains and the vitamins and minerals (often synthetic) sprayed onto the base feed in the manufacturing process.
A bit of research into the making of commercial feed might be helpful as might these two articles, one of which is a light hearted look at my results of fermenting commercial feed and the other a rather more serious look at the pitfalls of both fermentation and mashes.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...o-fermented-facts-myths-and-experience.74414/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...fluence-it-may-have-on-feeding-regimes.79124/

Took me all day to digest this The part about it being easier to digest not necessary being a good thing is very interesting. Mine free range most of the time, so at least I don’t think I really have to worry about that part. But what you said confused me. Why have I never heard that? I have seen many many people that ferment pelleted layer feed. Why is that not well known? Or is it, and I have just never heard it? Not at all trying to be rude, I’m just a little confused.

 

[Squawkers]

Trying to determine if it's mold or yeast. Mold may have filaments that work below surface level (which is why general advice is to toss anything moldy, not just remove moldy parts) whereas yeast sits on the surface.

Oh, ok. So, if it goes farther, then it is likely mold? What about fuzzy vs powdery? What does that mean?

 

[Kenya Mwangi]

Oh, ok. So, if it goes farther, then it is likely mold? What about fuzzy vs powdery? What does that mean?

Hello I am interested in the question too for my BSF bin.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Oh, ok. So, if it goes farther, then it is likely mold? What about fuzzy vs powdery? What does that mean?

Mold is often fuzzy or powdery in comparison to yeast, which is usually more of a film. You can google mold vs yeast for comparisons to get a better idea. It's unfortunately hard to ID with only photos on both ends.

 

[Kenya Mwangi]

Mold is often fuzzy or powdery in comparison to yeast, which is usually more of a film. You can google mold vs yeast for comparisons to get a better idea. It's unfortunately hard to ID with only photos on both ends.

Hello Good idea. Thank you.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Mold is often fuzzy or powdery in comparison to yeast, which is usually more of a film. You can google mold vs yeast for comparisons to get a better idea. It's unfortunately hard to ID with only photos on both ends.

Gonna be hard to see I'm sure, but this is my batch remnants at 48 hours with yeast growth (the grayish stuff that covers about half the surface). So you can see how thin and spread out it is, and how it's less fuzzy/fluffy than what mold growth would look like. The birds can safely eat this and it gets mixed in with everything else when food is served.