***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[shelbydog]

Very cool!  Yes please share your method.  I've read a little on it in the past but it seemed complicated- having to store it just so and rinse it, etc.  Yours looks very simple.

I'm interested as well. I would like to try the fermented grains. What exactly do I ask for at the feed store or co-op? The 2 bucket system seems easy.

 

[Kyzmette]

So what's the point of fermented grain? Do you serve it up with little party hats and a cheese tray?

 

[Kassaundra]

So what's the point of fermented grain? Do you serve it up with little party hats and a cheese tray?

Grains in general are not the best food for monogastric animals. Grains as seed have safety features built in by nature to help secure their abilty to sprout and feed the young plant, these in part are anti-nutrients that block an animals ability to absorb the nutrients in the grain (multi gastric animals digest these well) sprouting or fermenting, (either one) takes care of these anti-nutrients making the protein and vitamins in the seed more bio-available to mono gastric animals. Humans used to ferment most grain products before using them, until the art was mostly lost to fast food.

 

[Kyzmette]

Great explanation Kassaundra! Thanks! I actually appreciate a complete explanation. I thought they were just super nummy.

 

[artsyrobin]

so what is the simplest recipe for fermented?

 

[miohippus]

Grains in general are not the best food for monogastric animals. Grains as seed have safety features built in by nature to help secure their abilty to sprout and feed the young plant, these in part are anti-nutrients that block an animals ability to absorb the nutrients in the grain (multi gastric animals digest these well) sprouting or fermenting, (either one) takes care of these anti-nutrients making the protein and vitamins in the seed more bio-available to mono gastric animals. Humans used to ferment most grain products before using them, until the art was mostly lost to fast food.

yes, very interesting thanks for the info.

 

[bardies]

Hello from Tuttle, Oklahoma. I'm new to raising chickens. We purchased our pullets this spring from a local auction. It is very evident now that I had no idea what I was doing. Because 8 of my 9 "pullets" turned out to be roosters! I tried to give them away, but no takers. We ended up slaughtering the bigger ones, the delawares and orpington, because they were fighting terribly and tearing up the little bantam silkie we wanted to keep. Out of the silkies we kept hoping they would all turn out to hens, only one is. I now have 3 bantam silkie Roos and 1 silkie hen. Blah! I am really terrible at this it seems. I want to add some small to medium size hens to my little flock. I was thinking Barred Rock and Easter Eggers. From what ive read they are good egg layers and are cold hearty. Does anyone suggest a hatchery? I'm sacred to go back to an auction! No more Roos please!

You've probably had answers already.... but here is my two cents... a lot of eggs can just hatch to roos, not the 50/50 you would think - so it could be that, or it could be that someone had presexed them (just try not to jump to that conclusion). There are some breeds of chickens that can be visibly sexed as chicks or young birds so you know what you are getting. More experienced folks can also tell (one many kinds of birds) from looking at combs of young birds what they are - but these are also 'educated' guesses. Barred Rocks can be visibly sexed - but also grow to be big birds. Auctions can still be ok, but keep in mind that girls bring premium prices - and a lot of folks are getting rid of roosters. So you want to go into one with eyes open and be prepared to not buy if you are not sure. Also, even if advice is given with 100% honesty - mistakes can be made.

 

[Kassaundra]

Simple recipe I've used for 2 years, choose your grains (I use a combo of cracked corn, wheat, oats, boss) (not all those every time ness. boss usually mostly in winter) cover w/ water, go back a few times and add more water until it is fully covered by about 1 or so inches and has quit absorbing, cover w/ a non sealing lid (I use big 30 gall plastic trash can) wait several days it will begin to bubble and ferment. The longer it ferments the better it won't spoil. When you feed out just drain most of the water off, easy if you are doing grain more time involved if you are using feed. Add new to the old liquid, my ferment liquid has never been tossed in 2 years. If you are fermenting feed no need for time consuming draining just feed out wet and add more water as needed. Don't use a metal container it will corrode and leach bad things into the food.

 

[ClewisOK]

Do you just top off the fermented feed as you run low, or is it best to use it all and then dump the liquid onto a new sack of feed in another container?

 

[miohippus]

Simple recipe I've used for 2 years, choose your grains (I use a combo of cracked corn, wheat, oats, boss) (not all those every time ness. boss usually mostly in winter) cover w/ water, go back a few times and add more water until it is fully covered by about 1 or so inches and has quit absorbing, cover w/ a non sealing lid (I use big 30 gall plastic trash can) wait several days it will begin to bubble and ferment. The longer it ferments the better it won't spoil. When you feed out just drain most of the water off, easy if you are doing grain more time involved if you are using feed. Add new to the old liquid, my ferment liquid has never been tossed in 2 years. If you are fermenting feed no need for time consuming draining just feed out wet and add more water as needed. Don't use a metal container it will corrode and leach bad things into the food.

could you use a bag of scratch for fermented feed?