meat chickens and fermented grains

[kymom]

I am just now raising my first batch of meat chickens. For the first time ever, I read about fermented grains and I would like to know more. Specifically, I would like to know...

1. My chicks are about 5 weeks old. Is it too late to start fermenting their feed?

2. How EXACTLY do you begin fermenting? From what I've picked up, you soak the starter feed with enough water to cover with some ACV for 8-15 hours. Is there a more exact ratio?

3. How much do you feed them at a time/day? And do you feed with dry grain?

4. I have some old wheat berries. Could I ferment them?

5. For my layers, I use a mixture of pellets, cracked corn, oats, scratch. Can I ferment this too?


I'm completely fascinated by this, but I need a few more details to feel confident in pulling it off.

Thanks so much!
alice

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

I am just now raising my first batch of meat chickens. For the first time ever, I read about fermented grains and I would like to know more. Specifically, I would like to know...

1. My chicks are about 5 weeks old. Is it too late to start fermenting their feed?

2. How EXACTLY do you begin fermenting? From what I've picked up, you soak the starter feed with enough water to cover with some ACV for 8-15 hours. Is there a more exact ratio?

3. How much do you feed them at a time/day? And do you feed with dry grain?

4. I have some old wheat berries. Could I ferment them?

5. For my layers, I use a mixture of pellets, cracked corn, oats, scratch. Can I ferment this too?


I'm completely fascinated by this, but I need a few more details to feel confident in pulling it off.

Thanks so much!
alice

Not an expert here but I've been feeding fermented feed to my meat birds, and sometimes to turkeys, layers and ducks for the past three summers.

1) No, 5 weeks isn't too long to start feeding, I've tried starting on fermented feed and the little ones don't seem to get it and I'm to worried to make them figure it out. I usually start trying fermented feed once I start taking away their feed at night because they are hungry enough in the morning to try anything. Try putting some on a shallow dish, like the bottom of one of those plastic gallon waterers with an overturned bowl in the center where the water usually goes. Sprinkle some regular feed on top. I like that arrangement because otherwise they stand in it and poop in it and pack it down really hard and I have to throw a bunch away. It may take them a few days to get used to the idea but once they do, they'll gobble it up like it is a special treat.

2) That sounds about right. I don't think an exact ratio is necessary but keep it wet.

3) Usually I'm feeding fermented first thing in the morning and then putting out a larger amount of dry feed before I go to work. I just haven't figured out how to put out a day's supply of fermented food without having them stand in it and mess it up. Perhaps you'll be more inventive.

4) Don't know, I'd imagine you could.

5) Same answer as #4.

 

[kymom]

Thanks so much! I am very excited to try this.
ar