Questions about fermented food and feeding

[lalaland]

another benefit of fermented feed is there is much less feed wasted - it isn't spilled the way dry feed is, so there is less to attract rodents.
And, it is personal choice, but I know many start day old chicks on ff with no problem at all.

I go back and forth - usually using fermented but when I get out of sync (didn't make it to the feed store, traveling, or whatever) I might be using wet feed (just wet whatever feed you use with water or milk) until I get going with the fermented again.

 

[AnimalQuackers]

This is a very interesting thread for a newbie like me!

I just joined today, although my husband and I have been reading here for a few weeks. We are new to backyard chickens - we have five 2-month old chickens and a 2-month old Muscovie.

I am very interested in the fermenting process - this thread in particular has been helpful because I too had no idea what we were supposed to ferment! Scratch? The chick grower? Feed grain? We have pet birds (conures, Quakers, a Caique, a cockatiel, parakeets, finches, and canaries) so we are very familiar with sprouting, but not fermenting.

Is it OK to mix all the different things we wish to ferment (seeds, scratch, grower pellets) in one bucket? We are big believers on providing as wide a variety in their diet as possible, but not sure if all these different feeds can "co-exist" in the same fermenting bucket! Also, should you rinse the feed before you pour it in the fermenting bucket (we rinse seed before we sprout)?

Also, I was not clear on a post I read - sorry I can't remember now who said it - but she said that she feeds "one cup to six chickens." Is that one cup EACH, or one cup TOTAL?

THANKS for this great thread on this great site! Now off to ask my "fodder" questions!

) Michelle in Massachusetts

 

[Janelyn]

Animal Quackers


You asked "Is it OK to mix all the different things we wish to ferment (seeds, scratch, grower pellets) in one bucket?"

That was one of my questions I had a hard time to get an answer to but the wonderful members on this forum came to my rescue. The answer is YES.

Here is a picture of the bowl I just started yesterday. Right now I am feeding Flock Raiser and Scratch.

I am really excited to see how all my little darlings "love" it. Don't worry, I have no illusions, you know how kids are when you try to sneak something good for them in,

 

[AnimalQuackers]

Thank you Janelyn! I have some grower crumbles soaking in water on the kitchen counter - and it smells like sourdough!

 

[beckah1]

I have a question as to how people feed their chickens with the FF. I know when you sprout grains you throw it on the ground.
FF wouldn't work well in my hanging feeder I don't think. Do you use a bowl?
I also question the amount. Do you keep giving it all day until they finally stop?

 

[pdirt]

I supplement with FF, fed in a bowl. I estimate the FF is about 15-20% of their daily diet. They forage quite a bit and also get some unfermented feed.

 

[PugBug]

Hi, thought I'd add my 2 cents worth on the FF- I've been feeding it to mine for a little over 3 mo and have noticed so many benefits. My birds all love it first of all, also they eat less & seem satisfied longer. There is no wasted feed. I've also seen more rapid weight gain & growth, their plumage also seems much nicer. They also have more energy. They poop less, it's firmer & hardly any smell to it. In fact the only downside to FF for me is that it's more time consuming than just throwing out dry feed, but the benefits are so much that I don't mind. When I first started my FF I used layer pellets, scratch grains, alfalfa pellets & different chopped fruit & veggies etc all in the bucket together. After about a month I decided to stop putting the layer pellets in the bucket to ferment because it was making it so thick that it took forever to strain & also made quite a mess. Now I find the best way for me is to ferment the alfalfa pellets, scratch grains, fruit & veggies together. Then each day I strain that (goes really quick) then add the layer pellets & I then take about 3/4 cup of the fermenting liquid and pour over all that & mix. This is working out much better & it's not nearly as messy. I give about 1/4 to 1/2 cup per bird depending on size & breed. I also free range my birds, but since I have them separated out by breed in pens I only let 1 pen per day out at a time. By adding the alfalfa pellets in the FF the ones who are not out free ranging still get to have the needed greens each day.Oh & also I don't start my babies on the FF until they are about a month old, and then just gradually add that in their diet.

 

[PugBug]

I have a question as to how people feed their chickens with the FF. I know when you sprout grains you throw it on the ground.
FF wouldn't work well in my hanging feeder I don't think. Do you use a bowl?
I also question the amount. Do you keep giving it all day until they finally stop?

I have low, sort of flat looking plastic feed pans in each pen that I pour it into. I only feed mine once a day. When I feed dry feed I was having to feed several times per day because they are always hungry! Now once they finish the FF they are fine.

 

[nab58]

I have a question as to how people feed their chickens with the FF. I know when you sprout grains you throw it on the ground.
FF wouldn't work well in my hanging feeder I don't think. Do you use a bowl?
I also question the amount. Do you keep giving it all day until they finally stop?

I use a plastic Chinese food container. It's about two inches deep and 4x6". I scoop about three heaping soup ladles for my 6 pullets every morning when I let them out of the coop. They have dry feed available and usually get some free range time daily too.

 

[AnimalQuackers]

When I first started my FF I used layer pellets, scratch grains, alfalfa pellets & different chopped fruit & veggies etc all in the bucket together. After about a month I decided to stop putting the layer pellets in the bucket to ferment because it was making it so thick that it took forever to strain & also made quite a mess. Now I find the best way for me is to ferment the alfalfa pellets, scratch grains, fruit & veggies together. Then each day I strain that (goes really quick) then add the layer pellets & I then take about 3/4 cup of the fermenting liquid and pour over all that & mix.

This sounds SO much easier than the messy goop I have been scooping and TRYING to stain! What a mess!

Question: When you say alfalfa pellets, are they the same ones I feed my bunny, or are they specifically made for chickens?

THANKS!

Michelle in Massachusetts