Questions On Fermenting Feed

[Vyctoria]

I've been reading every bit that I can on the whole fermented feed process and I plan to try it within the next couple weeks. But I do have a few small questions on it.

First, I bought a 5 gallon plastic bucket with a lid(but I'll probably use a cloth instead) and I currently only have 6 ducks to feed. If I start the feed, can I keep it going in that bucket continuously, or do I need to have multiple containers going? I've heard people mention that you have to use it before it gets past it's prime. I also don't want it to go bad on me. I was hoping to be able to use a strainer to scoop it out as I need it and just add dry feed back in as it gets low, but will it eventually get too old or break down into soup?

Second, has anyone noticed that they fed more or less than before after starting FF? I feed twice daily and mine go crazy during meal times. I feel like I don't feed enough, but my two oldest hens were getting too fat, so I cut back. Now they act ravenous around meal time. And they all choke their feed down too fast. I'm hoping this will help the problem as well as add some health benefits. I'm just wondering how you figure out feeding ratios after it's wet like that.

Lastly, but pretty off-topic. I want to start feeding an all flock mix(3/4 all flock, 1/4 layer) and just offer oyster shells on the side, because I have a drake and my hens aren't even laying at the moment anyway. I notice when I've put the oyster shells out in the past though, they just seem picked through and are usually very wet and slimy by the end of the day. Kind of wondering if that's normal or not.

Thanks!

 

[Ashleymarie529]

I have never even heard of fermented feed.. why would you want to do that...?

 

[Vyctoria]

I have never even heard of fermented feed.. why would you want to do that...?

I have a hard time explaining things, so I'm just going to link to a website that tells it better than I can. But basically it helps to create good probiotics and unlock a lot of nutrients otherwise not found in the dry feed alone. A lot of people here have done it with good results.

http://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.com/p/fermented-feed.html

 

[Ashleymarie529]

That is interesting .... I'll have to look into that! Probably won't mess with it, but it's a cool idea.

 

[tastyacres]

I have done tons of different kinds of my own kinds of feed so I hope what I have learned will help you!

​

It all depends on how much time you are willing to spend on making chicken feed and what is available to you.​

I made my own dry-feed and wet-feed, I also did fermented feed which takes longer and is more time consuming but VERY VERY VERY good for chickens.
The making of commercial chicken feed is very interesting, some brands soak the corn, soy, wheat, oats, barley, etc, to get the most out of the feed and then dry it again and then crumble it. It will take forever if you soak it then dry it again and it wasn't worth the time to me. I tried do just dry feed without soaking it and drying it again, I had 4 chickens die from it

. 1 died from it being too hard to digest

, 2 from dehydration, 1 had too dry of a throat and choked on it. I will NEVER try that again

. If you can soak-it then re-dry it then go for it

.


It also depends on what you have most available to you. I had Barley, Wheat, and Oats all of which are very high in protein. And yes I had corn available to me but I am allergic to corn, it is not the corn itself I am allergic to it is the GMO and chemicals they spray the corn with

, and almost all the corn around was sprayed and had GMO. All tho I would feed it to the chickens I would eat the eggs and would have issues with that.
Anyway if you have corn available go for it. I would highly suggest getting corn that is at least GMO free! Also if you get corn make sure it has the little white seed in it because it is what holds the most nutrition.

I LOVED doing the soaked feed just because it was easy good for the chickens.

Ingredients

Whole Barley

Hulled Wheat

Hulled Oats

Peas (Powdered)

Black Oil Sunflower Seeds (Sunflower Seeds work just as well)

Crushed calcium shells

Clover Seeds (Optional)

Alfalfa Seeds (Optional)

Rolled Oats

Yogurt (Optional)

Fermented Milk(Optional)

I would soak the Barley, Oats, Wheat, Alfalfa Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, and Clover Seeds for 6-8 hours. Then add the Powdered Peas and Rolled Oats and add in all the Yogurt and Fermented Milk (If you don't do Yogurt and Milk then just add in some Water) and let it soak together for 2 hours.
Then, Walla, it is done.

Fermented feed is the same as the above just soaked for 24-30 hours at a time along with apple cider vinager.​

Here is the recipe buy messurements (I used these messurements for 55-chickens 2 times a day).​

Lentils (2 cups)

Eggs (5)

Rice (3 cups)

Wheat Germ (1 1/2 cups)

Sesame Seeds (1/2 cup)

Whole Barley (4 cups)

Hulled Wheat(4 cups)

Hulled Oats (3 cups)

Peas (Powdered)

Black Oil Sunflower Seeds (Sunflower Seeds work just as well)(2 cups)

Crushed calcium shells ( a handful)

Clover Seeds (Optional) (1/2 cups)

Alfalfa Seeds (Optional) (1/4 cups)

Rolled Oats (3 cups)

Yogurt (Optional) (1/4 cups)

Fermented Milk(Optional) (1 cup)

I also fed my chickens a snack in the afternoon, this recipe

Lentils

Eggs

Rice

Wheat Germ

Sesame Seeds

and every once in a while Flaxseeds.

I cooked everything in these mixes. I found that you can't leave feed out 24/7 (This is when I had 30-60 chickens and that is with feeding a 60-pound bag, so it may be different if you only have round 10-15 birds) otherwise, the feed will be gone in just under 2 days, my chickens would be in their house all day long and wouldn't go out and roam around. Most birds lay their eggs from 12-1:30 or so (at least my did). Chickens will need the most feed about 4-5 hours before they lay their eggs. I would feed a 2 1/2-gallon bucket to my chickens at 8:00 and then a snack in the afternoon and then they would get what they get for breakfast again in the evening.​

I let my animals free-range so my chickens had 2.51-acres to run on and were always filled with worms, grass, bugs, etc but some people can't let their chickens run so that will have a lot to do with how much you feed.

I had all these things in abundance to me so it is what I used, I didn't use corn, soy etc because I wasn't comfortable with feeding any of my animals with it. Find what you have and available to you and find what works

And another idea, normal chicken feed I would soak it overnight and it would triple in size and would last 5 times as long and is easier for the birds to digest.



http://home.howstuffworks.com/green-living/organic-chicken-feed-cheap.htm

http://theelliotthomestead.com/2013/06/organic-homemade-chicken-feed/

http://www.gardenbetty.com/2012/06/garden-bettys-homemade-whole-grain-chicken-feed/

Hope this helps!

​

 

[Vyctoria]

I have issues with anything sprayed with chemicals as well, but I never thought about the GMO too. I have to buy all organic vegetables for myself due to allergic reactions. I hadn't ever considered about it affecting the eggs too. Kind of interesting how that works. If I could afford organic feed I'd love to go that route someday. Thank you for all of the info!

So far I've put 3/4 all flock pellet and 1/4 egg layer crumble into a 5 gal. bucket and soaked it along with a tiny amount of ACV. I've stirred it and topped off the water like they mentioned, but it just kept soaking it up, so I sort of gave up on it and have been keeping it covered with a towel. I don't want it to get too soupy. Right now it's like a wet mash and the ducks love it. It smells kind of sweet and tangy, so I hope I'm on the right track. I put way too much in, not realizing how much it would expand, so I'll probaby have to waste some if it goes bad on me.

 

[Ducks4us]

I have never even heard of fermented feed.. why would you want to do that...?

Miss lydia feeds fermented to feed to her whole flock. And she also recommends it.

Its quiet easy, not alot to mess with. Im going to start this week with my ducklings too.

 

[birds4kids]

Far as making fermented feed I believe most start the bucket and daily after they scoop out they replace what they took and mix.

 

[Ducks4us]

I have issues with anything sprayed with chemicals as well, but I never thought about the GMO too. I have to buy all organic vegetables for myself due to allergic reactions. I hadn't ever considered about it affecting the eggs too. Kind of interesting how that works. If I could afford organic feed I'd love to go that route someday. Thank you for all of the info!

So far I've put 3/4 all flock pellet and 1/4 egg layer crumble into a 5 gal. bucket and soaked it along with a tiny amount of ACV. I've stirred it and topped off the water like they mentioned, but it just kept soaking it up, so I sort of gave up on it and have been keeping it covered with a towel. I don't want it to get too soupy. Right now it's like a wet mash and the ducks love it. It smells kind of sweet and tangy, so I hope I'm on the right track. I put way too much in, not realizing how much it would expand, so I'll probaby have to waste some if it goes bad on me. 

Miss lydia has given me a great link to making this.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/no-strain-hot-water-easy-fermented-feed-method-w-video

 

[Vyctoria]

Far as making fermented feed I believe most start the bucket and daily after they scoop out they replace what they took and mix.

Oh good then, that would make it easier for me. I was trying to imagine starting a new batch every time and it seemed time consuming.