Thanks so much! I did read that some people don't use the ACV but use cultured buttermilk instead. I wonder if there is a big difference?That's what I was thinking maybe you were seeing. The more hours the mash sits undisturbed, the thicker that bloom gets. I added fresh feed to my chick bowl and the larger flocks bucket last night before I went to bed. After twelve hours over night you can just barely see the bloom started on them both. If I let them sit another twelve hours it would be really pronounced. I stir with a big wooden spoon or spatula before scooping out what I need to strain. While it strains, I get dressed and have a cup of coffee. Then out to the barn I go. I buy three pound bags of dried pumpkin seed in the wild bird and squirrel section at the feed store. Once a week I put a cup into my old blender and grind it. I keep it in a jar with a tight fitting lid. Whenever I refresh the ferment, I shake some in. I never measure. The cheapest place I can find the powdered garlic, cayenne, and oregano is at the dollar store. I have to drive forty miles to mine. I stock up when I go. I just shake it into the ferment. Some folks can get a better deal buying it in bulk at the big warehouse stores. I don't have one of those on my island.Pumpkin seed lists 30% protein.
I love the way it smells whens it's ground.
My fermented bowl and bucket are in the house until it gets warmer in the barn. I love the garlic-y smell of it. My husband doesn't mind the smell. He will be glad when they go out to the barn though.
When I stir the big bucket, I love the aroma! Maybe I'm weird that way.
My week old Catdance chicks attacking their fermented feed. They fight over the little pumpkin and oregano bits they find.
Part of my free range flock filling up on their ration of fermented feed. Three bantam RIR pullets, six twelve week old Johnny babies, and the two moms of the Johnny babies. They will have these pans licked clean in no time.
It just so happened to be a sunny morning here. Beautiful enough to bring out my three month old juvies onto grass. I hatched these four from Sheryl Butler eggs. I've posted quite a few baby chick pic's but these are their first pictures where I can see some quality appearing.
