I started fermenting!!!!!

[Dayrel]

I've fermented both crumble and pelleted feed- both work well. This is probably the best guide for fermenting: https://tikktok.wordpress.com/2014/04/13/fermented-feed-faq/

 

[lazy gardener]

You can ferment either. However, most of us ferment their usual daily formulated feed.

 

[Hdghawg]

I have all but eliminated flies completely from my coop with FF. It used to be horrible in there but ever since FF they are gone. I definitely use less feed but even if they ate twice as much with FF it would be worth it for the reduction of odor.

 

[JennTNchicks]

I've fermented both crumble and pelleted feed- both work well. This is probably the best guide for fermenting: https://tikktok.wordpress.com/2014/04/13/fermented-feed-faq/

Thanks for the response! I actually saw this post but didn't finish it at first. I don't remember why...‍. I read it all the way this time and subscribed!

 

[NNYchick]

No such thing as a stupid question. The best information can be find in Tikki Jane's article: https://tikktok.wordpress.com/2014/04/13/fermented-feed-faq/

Fermenting the feed produces probiotics. It breaks down the antinutrients in the grains. It acidifies the gut to make it more resistant to pathogens. Chickens who eat FF have longer villi in their guts. Those villi are the structures that hold the capillaries that absorb the nutrients. More and longer villi = better nutritional absorption. Chicken poo does not stink as much when chickens eat FF. Chicken poo is dryer when they eat FF. They get better nutrition, so they don't eat as much. There is NO waste. Rodents and pest birds can't carry the feed off like they can do with dry feed. Your feed bill will go down. The fermentation process produces Vitamin B-12, greatly increases the amount of Lysine, and Methionine in the feed, making it very nearly a complete protein.

Ok so I read the article through completely, twice. Just so I have this right. I can use my regular dry layer crumble (southern states brand), add equal amount of my well water to it, stir 2-3 times a day and after day 3-4, I feed to chickens. When I'm down to bottom of bucket I add more crumble and water and can start feeding that the next day.
Questions 1) how much crumble should I start with for 10 silkies 2) its starting to get cold here what temperature do I keep it at, I keep all my chicken supplies in garage so will be around 40 degrees at night is that too cold?

 

[Dayrel]

Cooler temps will reduce the bacterial growth significantly. That will greatly reduce the amount of fermentation going on. Keeping it at room temperature will help if you can manage it.

 

[NNYchick]

Cooler temps will reduce the bacterial growth significantly. That will greatly reduce the amount of fermentation going on. Keeping it at room temperature will help if you can manage it.

Ok that's what I thought. I know when I made kefir it was the same. Where do you make it, does it smell as bad as the article says?

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

I have about 25 lbs of 35-year-old wheat berries that I don't want to eat. I thought about mixing it with scratch. Then I thought about cooking it because they love that. Then I decided to just cover batches of it with water to soften it up. After a day or two it gets the scoby film. I simply drain and feed. They eat it all up.

 

[Dayrel]

I make much smaller batches in my kitchen. After you get the process started (collecting bacteria from the air), you can keep it lightly covered and let the bacteria continue to do their work. At least with my smaller batches, there is no significant smell. If you sniff it after fermentation, there is a somewhat sour smell, like sourdough (it is the same process).

 

[6PeckinChickens]

Congrats on starting to ferment! I'm still researching and getting up the courage to take that jump! I think my biggest fear is wasting the feed! I don't want to hijack your thread, but I do have some questions.

1) When you use feed and add more to the same bucket since the fermentation process has already begun, can you use it the same day or how long do you have to wait?
2) Do you feed as much as the chickens want or do you limit them?
3) How long can it sit outside if they don't finish it all?
4) What do you do when you are gone for a day or two and are unable to stir it?
5) If you are gone for several days do you put enough out there for the chickens or do you switch them back to dry feed?
6) At what point do you know the FF has gone bad just by smell? (I understand the
difference between SCOBY and mold)