I started fermenting!!!!!

[lazy gardener]

Jugs???? Do you mean buckets? Jugs would have an opening not big enough to manage the FF.

 

[chicks are life]

An update:

My fermented feed is going great my teenagers and older hens have been joined together and they eat 6 scoops a day.

My 2 chicks and the two moms eat about 2 scoops.

They don't eat less but mine waste sooooo much less.

They have made my yolks darker and tasteyer!!!

 

[jeria]

Jugs???? Do you mean buckets? Jugs would have an opening not big enough to manage the FF.

Gallon restaurant containers--- big wide mouth jars. Used for pickles, mustard, mayo etc. Ended up this morning with 2 about 3/4 filled as I used too much crumble for one and had to divide it. They will live on a shelf in my kitchen for now, may end up on top of the frig as it stays toasty there.

 

[jeria]

An update:

My fermented feed is going great my teenagers and older hens have been joined together and they eat 6 scoops a day.

My 2 chicks and the two moms eat about 2 scoops.

They don't eat less but mine waste sooooo much less.

They have made my yolks darker and tasteyer!!!

What size are your scoops? curious as scoops can be all different sizes

 

[chicks are life]

I don't know what size it is.

 

[poultrynme]

No need to cover it with water. It will not mold. Just as you would not cover your bread dough with water, there is also no need to cover your FF with water. Read the article written by Tikki Jane that you can find the address to in my signature.

I was interested in this fermenting process, I really liked the link you shared It was easy to read ~ in layman terms Thanks for this link because now I'm not afraid to try it!

 

[lazy gardener]

YVW.

 

[jeria]

Gallon restaurant containers--- big wide mouth jars. Used for pickles, mustard, mayo etc. Ended up this morning with 2 about 3/4 filled as I used too much crumble for one and had to divide it. They will live on a shelf in my kitchen for now, may end up on top of the frig as it stays toasty there.

FYI these "jars" seem to be working well as I have a fluffy slightly bubbling mash. So far it has little odor. Having them handy in the kitchen reminds me to stir them morning and night. Right now I'm using Purina flock raiser as that was all I could find close by, will have to venture further to find some organic as they get closer to egg laying.

 

[FrankHomestead]

No need to cover it with water. It will not mold. Just as you would not cover your bread dough with water, there is also no need to cover your FF with water. Read the article written by Tikki Jane that you can find the address to in my signature.

I just want to share my experience with this so others can be aware.
I tried letting my feed ferment NOT fully submerged, but still plenty of water to keep everything wet. I stirred it twice a day as usual, when getting the feed ready for daily rations.
I did everything the same, except for the submerged part.
One morning, maybe 4 days after starting this method, I went to my feed and was just about knocked over by the foul smell!!! 5g bucket of expensive organic feed in the garbage. not to mention I was so worried my pullets would be sick.
I'm thinking the reason @lazy gardener doesn't have this problem is because she uses processed commercial feed, and I DID have this problem because I use homemade feed consisting of fresh, whole grains and seeds.
Even a lot of processed human foods don't rot...I once found a OLD sausage biscuit from McDonald's shoved in the corner under my kid's bed and other than being rock hard, had absolutely no sign of decay.
So a warning to anyone who ferments whole ingredients, better to be safe and make sure it's fully submerged!

 

[lazy gardener]

I put whole grains in my FF, and have never had an issue. However, I' ve never done just whole grains. This is an issue for @Tikkijane to weigh in on.