Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

[OneMountainAcres]

Thanks ...I checked out the sight.  Are you using unfiltered apple cider vinegar?  Most of the threads I've read say that without it it really isn't fermented, just wet. I guess you need it for the chemical change that occurs to increase the yeast content.  (Like making wine is more than water and grapes.). Not sure, that's why I'm asking the PA "pros"  hoping to get clarification.

I do not use ACV in the ferment yet. I've found sites that say to use it and some that say not to. All plants have a natural yeast to them so it is fermenting. It's extremely healthy though so I may start using it when I have a good supply of it. For now, I chose not to use it and my chicks still love it

 

[barbiegirl]

The PA BYC facebook page has directions on how to ferment feed. It's a secret group so you have to be invited in. I will copy and paste what is there so you can see. I use organic apple cider vinegar with the mother in it. I make it in a big garbage can. I haven't made it all winter because it has been so cold. If I remember a trash can 50 lb bag of feed lasted a week for all my birds.



i promised to give instructions on how to ferment feed. so here they are. i will explain 2 ways
the first method is called back sloshing or back washing. this method is ideal for small flocks.
materials needed.
1. 5 gallon buckets x 2
2. drill
3. drill bit 3/32, 1/8 or slightly larger ( i reccomend the 1/8 " or so for easier or faster draining)
4. unpasteurized apple cider vinegar
5. scoop
instructions:
making the sieve bucket:
take a 5 gallon bucket drill holes in the bottom and 1/2 way up the sides.
when finished drilling wash and scub the bucket and try to remove the plastic burs left behind by the drilling.
take the sieve bucket place into the other bucket.
fermenting feed instructions:
place feed into the sieve bucket. add water to cover about a 1/2 inch to 1 inch over feed. once the water is at level add a glug or 2 of unpasteurized apple cider vinegar and stir .
you will notice the feed soaks up the water, so just add more water until the consistency is like that of oatmeal.
stir the bucket a couple times a day.
let the bucket and feed sit for 3-4 days to start the ferment process going good.
for feedings lift the sieve bucket with the feed and let drain for a little bit. scoop out feed and feed the birds.
after feeding place the sieve bucket back into the other bucket. add feed, water and a little apple cider vinegar and stir.
the water in the other bucket will be fermented water. no need to wait 3 days . you can feed the next day.
the second method continuous fermenting.
this method is great for larger flocks and is a method where no sieve bucket is required.
you can use this method for small flocks also.
materials needed:
1.a bucket or garbage can plastic or rubbermaid type ( this method can be done in 1 gallon to 55 gallon or larger.( just make sure you can stir and use feed in a short time.)
2. a scoop
3 unpasteurized apple cider vinegar
fermenting the feed:
place feed into container. add water to cover. use a generous amount of unpasteurized cider vinegar. ( the bigger the container the more acv is needed )
stir a couple times a day with a paddle.
let the feed sit for 3-4 days so fermenting action begins.
now scoop out the amount you need to feed your flock.
after feeding add feed, water and a glug of acv to the mix and stir.
special notes:
1. you don't have to use unpasteurized apple cider vinegar. if you add water to the feed, it will ferment on it's own. the apple cider vinegar just helps jump start the
process.
2 when first starting the feed it is best to use warm water. do not use hot water. this will kill the good bacteria needed.
3. if you end up with a wet wet mix do not worry if won't hurt the birds.
4. if you want use a cat litter scoop with holes in it. helps to drain the mix.
5. never use metal feed containers. the fermenting feed will produce toxins in the metal. stainless is fine but no galvanized or metal containers

 

[BorderBrigade]

The PA BYC facebook page has directions on how to ferment feed. It's a secret group so you have to be invited in. I will copy and paste what is there so you can see. I use organic apple cider vinegar with the mother in it. I make it in a big garbage can. I haven't made it all winter because it has been so cold. If I remember a trash can 50 lb bag of feed lasted a week for all my birds.



i promised to give instructions on how to ferment feed. so here they are. i will explain 2 ways
the first method is called back sloshing or back washing. this method is ideal for small flocks.
materials needed.

1. 5 gallon buckets x 2

2. drill

3. drill bit 3/32, 1/8 or slightly larger ( i reccomend the 1/8 " or so for easier or faster draining)

4. unpasteurized apple cider vinegar

5. scoop

instructions:
making the sieve bucket:

take a 5 gallon bucket drill holes in the bottom and 1/2 way up the sides.
when finished drilling wash and scub the bucket and try to remove the plastic burs left behind by the drilling.
take the sieve bucket place into the other bucket.
fermenting feed instructions:
place feed into the sieve bucket. add water to cover about a 1/2 inch to 1 inch over feed. once the water is at level add a glug or 2 of unpasteurized apple cider vinegar and stir .
you will notice the feed soaks up the water, so just add more water until the consistency is like that of oatmeal.
stir the bucket a couple times a day.
let the bucket and feed sit for 3-4 days to start the ferment process going good.
for feedings lift the sieve bucket with the feed and let drain for a little bit. scoop out feed and feed the birds.
after feeding place the sieve bucket back into the other bucket. add feed, water and a little apple cider vinegar and stir.
the water in the other bucket will be fermented water. no need to wait 3 days . you can feed the next day.
the second method continuous fermenting.
this method is great for larger flocks and is a method where no sieve bucket is required.
you can use this method for small flocks also.
materials needed:
1.a bucket or garbage can plastic or rubbermaid type ( this method can be done in 1 gallon to 55 gallon or larger.( just make sure you can stir and use feed in a short time.)

2. a scoop

3 unpasteurized apple cider vinegar
fermenting the feed:
place feed into container. add water to cover. use a generous amount of unpasteurized cider vinegar. ( the bigger the container the more acv is needed )
stir a couple times a day with a paddle.
let the feed sit for 3-4 days so fermenting action begins.
now scoop out the amount you need to feed your flock.
after feeding add feed, water and a glug of acv to the mix and stir.
special notes:

1. you don't have to use unpasteurized apple cider vinegar. if you add water to the feed, it will ferment on it's own. the apple cider vinegar just helps jump start the

process.
2 when first starting the feed it is best to use warm water. do not use hot water. this will kill the good bacteria needed.
3. if you end up with a wet wet mix do not worry if won't hurt the birds.
4. if you want use a cat litter scoop with holes in it. helps to drain the mix.
5. never use metal feed containers. the fermenting feed will produce toxins in the metal. stainless is fine but no galvanized or metal containers

I had tried to find that page a few times before after seeing people here mention it. No wonder I couldn't find it. Thought I was going nuts

 

[stake]

The PA BYC facebook page has directions on how to ferment feed. It's a secret group so you have to be invited in. I will copy and paste what is there so you can see. I use organic apple cider vinegar with the mother in it. I make it in a big garbage can. I haven't made it all winter because it has been so cold. If I remember a trash can 50 lb bag of feed lasted a week for all my birds.



i promised to give instructions on how to ferment feed. so here they are. i will explain 2 ways
the first method is called back sloshing or back washing. this method is ideal for small flocks.
materials needed.
1. 5 gallon buckets x 2
2. drill
3. drill bit 3/32, 1/8 or slightly larger ( i reccomend the 1/8 " or so for easier or faster draining)
4. unpasteurized apple cider vinegar
5. scoop
instructions:
making the sieve bucket:
take a 5 gallon bucket drill holes in the bottom and 1/2 way up the sides.
when finished drilling wash and scub the bucket and try to remove the plastic burs left behind by the drilling.
take the sieve bucket place into the other bucket.
fermenting feed instructions:
place feed into the sieve bucket. add water to cover about a 1/2 inch to 1 inch over feed. once the water is at level add a glug or 2 of unpasteurized apple cider vinegar and stir .
you will notice the feed soaks up the water, so just add more water until the consistency is like that of oatmeal.
stir the bucket a couple times a day.
let the bucket and feed sit for 3-4 days to start the ferment process going good.
for feedings lift the sieve bucket with the feed and let drain for a little bit. scoop out feed and feed the birds.
after feeding place the sieve bucket back into the other bucket. add feed, water and a little apple cider vinegar and stir.
the water in the other bucket will be fermented water. no need to wait 3 days . you can feed the next day.
the second method continuous fermenting.
this method is great for larger flocks and is a method where no sieve bucket is required.
you can use this method for small flocks also.
materials needed:
1.a bucket or garbage can plastic or rubbermaid type ( this method can be done in 1 gallon to 55 gallon or larger.( just make sure you can stir and use feed in a short time.)
2. a scoop
3 unpasteurized apple cider vinegar
fermenting the feed:
place feed into container. add water to cover. use a generous amount of unpasteurized cider vinegar. ( the bigger the container the more acv is needed )
stir a couple times a day with a paddle.
let the feed sit for 3-4 days so fermenting action begins.
now scoop out the amount you need to feed your flock.
after feeding add feed, water and a glug of acv to the mix and stir.
special notes:
1. you don't have to use unpasteurized apple cider vinegar. if you add water to the feed, it will ferment on it's own. the apple cider vinegar just helps jump start the
process.
2 when first starting the feed it is best to use warm water. do not use hot water. this will kill the good bacteria needed.
3. if you end up with a wet wet mix do not worry if won't hurt the birds.
4. if you want use a cat litter scoop with holes in it. helps to drain the mix.
5. never use metal feed containers. the fermenting feed will produce toxins in the metal. stainless is fine but no galvanized or metal containers

Here's a link to Sally's youtube how to video....

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Quote:

Quote:
A 50 pound bag of feed (no corn or anything) fermented lasted my gang of 28 a week. Does that help?
I use one of these to mix ferment

not sure of the exact amounts that go in, and it does change according to what I have,,but basically it is 16% grower pellet with added wheat and barley, sometimes I will come across cheap birdfeed or scratch and that goes in there,,,I never figured out how to add the corn, being whole corn it does not mix well...i make mine thick since i do not want to drain it daily, oatmeal consistentcy....mix it all in the bucket and cover with a few inches of water ( I never completely empty this bucket).. it gets stirred and scooped with a ditch shovel.......mix again after feeding then it sits till the next day.....I only feed this once a day, I try to put out enough that they have an evening meal also but not have anything sitting overnight...

before anyone ask, here's a ditch shovel

I like that tub, I may switch instead of keeping two buckets and the room to splash!!!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

NO STRAIN Hot water EASY Fermented Feed Method w/video

​

By: Sally Sunshine​

Posted 5/6/13 • Last updated a minute ago • 1,461 views • 14 comments
NO STRAIN Hot water EASY Fermented Feed Method

HOT WATER NO STRAIN FF VIDEO

I will add that DH wasn't happy about helping me to video and I also grabbed the first audio on the youtube list!
And DH made me take out the comment about why I don't use whole grains,
you know that whole ever eat corn and see what comes back out? LMAO!


WHAT YOU NEED:
5 Gal bucket
Hot water
Feed (mash, crumbles or pellets)
ACV with Mother 1 cup est per 5 gal bucket
something to stir with
Cheesecloth, towel or nylons to cover bucket with


REMEMBER this is the HOT WATER, NO STRAIN method! Instead of all that water on top, it settles at the bottom because of the "loaf" on top! So the bottom of the feed will always be wetter than the top and hold some of the brewing juices needed for next batch! Always leave about 3-4" in the pot after you pull your feed to use to make your next batch!

Video above was taken 12 hrs before these photos....... see how it cracks sorta like a loaf? Pretty cool Eh?





Yes it needs AIR do not cover, only cover with cheese cloth, towel or pair of nylons! MUST HAVE AIR!
But cover so bugs don't get in it!

For many enzymes, the optimal temperature range is what we would perceive as warm, pretty much the same as human body temperature. I don’t know about you, but I have my hot water heater set around 100-110 degrees. I suggest hot tap water and NOT boiling if you have your hot water set hot, then use "warm water". By using warm water, enzymes are within their optimal temperature range, and they catalyze chemical reactions more quickly, therefore the fermentation proceeds more quickly. At least this is what I am aware of.

METABOLISM AND NUTRITION http://ps.fass.org/content/88/2/309.full.pdf+html
Effects of Bacillus subtilis var. natto and Saccharomyces cerevisiae mixed
fermented feed on the enhanced growth performance of broilers.

http://www.ajas.info/Editor/manuscript/upload/23-70.pdf
Evaluation of Multi-microbial Probiotics Produced by
Submerged Liquid and Solid Substrate
Fermentation Methods in Broilers
the results of this study suggest the multi-microbe probiotic product prepared by a solid substrate fermentation method to be superior to the probiotic product prepared by submerged liquid fermentation

Not sure why its not showing in my signature anymore, I forgot I put the info in there! I had to search for the page!

 

[stake]

Folks:
Here's the new chicks...4 of 14 hatched..two are OE I hope the white dots on the heads don't mean 'boys'....though thats a trait of the CCL .....

What was interesting was that two hatched on day #22, one ond day#23 and one on day #24....my temps were set to 99.5 - 100.5 with a variance of .1C.....Humidity seemed correct but I was using s cheap HD hydrometer.....two of the chicks had a bit of egg yolk that was not fully absorbed and I needed to let them sit in the bater for an extra day


.

 

[stake]

I will be improving on my run and building a better coop at the end of April.....................

I am wondering about the run.............I see signs of diggers trying to get under..............some of these diggers I think are chipmunks ....................or a rodent of some type.

they have made tunnels under.

I feel my chickens have been safe in the daytime and this intrusion occurs at night.

I see you buried the block in your pictures..............will this be sufficient? I imagine if a digger tries to go under the weight of the bllock will impact the tunnel and perhaps a longer distance is needed to go under..........

I see some people put a wire mesh apron on their runs..................

and some people dig their mesh down a distance...........

What do you all think is best............buried block, an apron , or a straight down depth of wire?

Its a lot of work to do this so I want to pick a good technique and hopefully this years improvements will be durable and last a while.

Lisa:

I just lined the outside of the run with landscape ties...and attached the bottom of the fencing to the tie....My ground is really rocky so thats enough....the diggers you are worried are racoons, skunks, opossum....mice or chipmonks will be eaten on site....

 

[barbiegirl]

I have mole creatures that don't stand a chance in my runs. My chickens and turkeys have killed them. I was really surprised that they didn't eat them.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Folks:
Here's the new chicks...4 of 14 hatched..two are OE I hope the white dots on the heads don't mean 'boys'....though thats a trait of the CCL .....

What was interesting was that two hatched on day #22, one ond day#23 and one on day #24....my temps were set to 99.5 - 100.5 with a variance of .1C.....Humidity seemed correct but I was using s cheap HD hydrometer.....two of the chicks had a bit of egg yolk that was not fully absorbed and I needed to let them sit in the bater for an extra day


.