Questions about fermented food and feeding

[kitchenchick]

I've been feeding FF to my adults and chicks (day olds and up) all this year. I've seen a lot of benefits and very few draw backs other that the dipping and straining of the feed. I did decide to only ferment my grains for the adults, because of the debris in the bottom of my trashcan, and by feeding the crumble separate I knew the greedy buggers always had domething in one of their feeders. I use the bloom off my fermented grains to ferment my grower for my chicks. zero paste butt, nice firm poops, are a couple things I see with my chicks and fermenting their feed. I don't make a soupy mess with this, I call it my baby cake, and they love it!! I've noticed with my chicks this year that feather growth has been quicker and general health has improved- mortalities way down- so I'm a fan of fermenting the babies feed. it is messier than using dry crumble, but ....I know it works for me with the chicks and my adult layers.

I use the ACV with mother as my fermenter. I seed my own vinegar with mother that I grew myself. I offer buttermilk occasionally as a treat to my layers along with their treats. Does all that stuff really make a difference? yes, I think anytime we take an in depth interest in what our animals are eating then the animals will benefit from it.

 

[kitchenchick]

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

rabbit or horse alfalfa... either one. I do the same for mine. I'll even use the horse cubes if they're onsale. in the winter time I'll bump up the protein by adding fish meal to their diet.

 

[PugBug]

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

I'm not sure about what you are feeding your bunnies. If it's actual rabbit pellets then no that's not what I'm talking about- the alfalfa pellets I get are in a 50 pound bag, the same ones I feed to my horses & goats. Sometimes I get the alfalfa & timothy mix pellets.

 

[beccaporter]

I have been feeding my 15 chickens fermented food for about a month. I take about 12-16 ounces of Scratch and Peck soy/corn free feed and a handful of boss, put them into a small plastic bucket. When I started it I covered it with water that I sit out overnight (to rid it of chlorine), a couple tablespoons of buttermilk, and a couple tablespoons of acv with the mother. I started feeding the next day, and I just add another 12-16 ounces of feed and a handful of boss. It probably took a week to see bubbles. Every morning a take a medium sieve and the bucket outside. I give them two scoops into a frisbee. I don't worry about straining out all the liquid. It's all gone by the next day.

My girls (and guy) absolutely love it. They come running every morning. I sit out dry feed as well. They hardly touch it. The 15 (12 are 14 weeks, 3 are 8 weeks) eat about 40 lbs a month. There is basically no waste. When it rains the dry food gets wet. Oddly they don't touch that. I have to rinse it out.

Their poop is solid and has little smell. I love FF, and it is easy the way I do it.

 

[AnimalQuackers]

I'm not sure about what you are feeding your bunnies. If it's actual rabbit pellets then no that's not what I'm talking about- the alfalfa pellets I get are in a 50 pound bag, the same ones I feed to my horses & goats. Sometimes I get the alfalfa & timothy mix pellets.

Got it! Thanks Kitchenchick and PugBug!

Yes, I do feed my bunny and guinea pig alfalfa pellets from a bag that is labeled for bunnies and guinea pigs. They just get a little every day. Their main diet is timothy hay and they also get some romaine and other vegetables every day. Thanks for the clarification!!

 

[Janelyn]

Beccaporter wrote about feeding "boss". I don't know what that is but would love to.

 

[nab58]

Beccaporter wrote about feeding "boss". I don't know what that is but would love to.

BOSS = Black Oil Sunflower Seed. You can find them anywhere.

 

[beccaporter]

Yes. Boss = black oil sunflower seeds. We also use deep litter method in their coop with pine shavings. Every day I also throw in a handful of boss so they mix it all up. Love that too!

Reading above, I wasn't clear that every day I also pour in enough water to cover the feed by an inch.

 

[Jewelwing]

I'm brand new to chickens, and my 9 little peeps are just about one month old. I've been feeding them fermented starter since I got them as day old chicks, and they all seem to love it! They come running when I refill their trough. They're big enough now that a couple were starting to get their heads stuck in the feeder trough holes, so I took off the top. Now they walk around in it as they eat, which is pretty messy, but I've seen them sitting on the little perch in their brooder and cleaning off their feet later, so I guess they have it figured out.

I have no idea how fast chickens grow, or when their feathers come in, or how much they eat, or how their poop smells, but I've been happy with the fermented food. Their poops are fairly solid, and I've only cleaned out the brooder (3'x7') once because the poops dry up really fast and aren't a problem. They're in the garage, and the garage doesn't stink.

I have wondered how I'll feed them the FF as they get older and need more, because it doesn't seem like you could load up a standard feeder. I don't really want them walking in it either, if I can help it, once the coop is built and they're bigger. I was planning to read some more posts written by people who ferment food and see what they use to hold the food.

Anyway, that's my two cents. No problems feeding to little chicks, just somewhat messy.

 

[dmpllck]

I have been feeding mine ff and they love it... does it hurt if it gets mold ..can i just clean the mold off and throw it out ?