How to ferment

[blackdog043]

Add some more feed, mine like it thicker, not runny. Make it like thick oatmeal.

 

[rosemarythyme]

That was so helpful! I just tried to do this with my chickens' crumbles with no success at all.

I think if the consistency was right, I wouldn't need a slotted spoon. Now I need to decide if I want to start over, or just add feed to the "slop". I'm not even sure why I'm doing this. I just keep hearing they like it.

Aim to make it thicker (should be fairly stiff like oatmeal that's sat around a bit) and try for several days. Maybe they won't take to it, but it could also take them a few tries to warm up to it.

 

[trumpeting_angel]

They are so weird with anything unfamiliar!

I make mine wetter in the heat. I'm concerned they might not drink enough. Probably silly, but I'm used to forcing children and DH to drink enough. And myself.

 

[ValerieJ]

They are so weird with anything unfamiliar!

I make mine wetter in the heat. I'm concerned they might not drink enough. Probably silly, but I'm used to forcing children and DH to drink enough. And myself.

You're right about that. I'm sure they thought I was poisoning them the first time I gave them cantaloupe. "Did the red melon spoil???" they asked. Took a couple hours for one to be brave enough to approach the strange orange thing that showed up Now they love it. But with the fermented food, one tasted it and warned everyone else.

 

[blackdog043]

Here's a picture of what mine looks like when I feed it. Leave the dish out there all day, they might decide they like it. If you have to much made and are afraid it might over ferment, you can put it in the refrigerator and it will stop the fermentation process. I put mine in the fridge when I go away for a week, then take it out when I get home. I use the back slop method. I feed out every morning, then add more feed and water to whats left in my crock.

 

[ValerieJ]

Here's a picture of what mine looks like when I feed it. Leave the dish out there all day, they might decide they like it. If you have to much made and are afraid it might over ferment, you can put it in the refrigerator and it will stop the fermentation process. I put mine in the fridge when I go away for a week, then take it out when I get home. I use the back slop method. I feed out every morning, then add more feed and water to whats left in my crock.

View attachment 1864237

Thank you so much for that visual!!! Everything I was reading was telling me to make sure there was a water "seal" meaning more water over the top of the feed. Doesn't look like you do this. I'm a little confused and may just throw this batch out and start over. I really appreciate all the help. Someone remind me why I'm doing this? LOL

 

[blackdog043]

Nope, you don't need water on top, if your fermenting regular feed. I believe the water covered fermentation is when you are fermenting whole grains and that is where you use a slotted spoon, to scoop out the whole grains. This is what mine looks like every morning before I mix it up to feed it. It is lightly covered with a white film, this is yeast and it is normal.
Edit: I've been fermenting feed this way for three years and have had no problems.

 

[trumpeting_angel]

Don't throw it out! If it smells a little sour, keep using it. If it smells very sour, refrigerate and try again tomorrow with the silly chickies. Keep trying each day; someone soon will get the hang of it and then they all will act like it's their favorite thing ever.

Only throw it out if it smells very unpleasant.

 

[blackdog043]

I'm a little confused and may just throw this batch out and start over.

Don't throw it out if it's to wet, just add feed to it. When your ready to feed it and it's to thick or thin just add what it needs to make the consistency you want. I still have to adjust sometimes before I feed it. Heck I put some in my containers the other day and before I took it out, it had extra water in the container, I just put some dry feed to soak the water up.

 

[jlwquilter]

Don’t throw it out. You just need to play with the consistency a bit.

I make my FF with about 90% feed (usually all flock crumbles) and a handful of BOSS and scratch. I cover it with water. I use a slotted spoon to dish it out into a pan. Then add dry crumbles to make the thick consistency my hens prefer.

You’ll get the hang of it quickly it just takes a little practice.

You’re doing it because the hens love it (once they get used to it which will be fast once you get the consistency right) and it’s better nutrition for them and it hydrates them more. AND it can save you a bit on feed costs. Not a back payback for something that takes a few minutes twice a day.

I also have dry crumbles available 24/7 free choice. They eat that during the day.