Texas

[tiedyemommy]

Sorry, had to help hang a rain flap over the vent of the chicken coop. Storms coming tomorrow and Tuesday.
I just started fermenting, so I am not fully there yet. I gave it a trail run by de-chlorinating water over night in a couple buckets. The chlorine evaporates off. I then got their regular feed, flock raiser, some whole oat and wheat seeds that I sprout as fodder for my geese and soaked it all, stirring at least 3 times a day for 4/5 days. It smells a bit sour but not spoiled, think yogurt smell. Then I got a slotted spoon and served my flock. The chickens went nuts. Now I feed my flock from the large cooler chest, and replace what I took during the day, let it stew over night and repeat. The feed must be completely covered by the water, and the feed swells during the fermenting process, so you do have to add water from time to time. And it must be done in a closed container, too much oxygen is not good for fermenting. I plan on adding some flax seed to my mix as soon as I get my hands on some. Also looking at other additives like kelp meal, some fresh herbs in my garden and such to improve the health benefits for my flock.

After feeding for only a couple days I can already see how much less dry feed I am putting in their feeders. Considering my chickens are all growing, yet there is a noticeable difference, as in less, feed usage I am amazed. Plus a lot less flies hanging around as well.

My 5 ladies don't eat very much right now...so fermenting would only be something we would do to boost nutrition. I might read up on it more before we decide to try it. Thanks!

 

[Starfire669]

My 5 ladies don't eat very much right now...so fermenting would only be something we would do to boost nutrition.  I might read up on it more before we decide to try it.  Thanks! 

Fermenting feed is supposed to have numerous benefits. Better growth, eating less feed but getting more nutrition, probiotics which improves their health and lowers their chances of getting intestinal bacteria, and less flies hanging around. So it can be very good to feed to your ladies.

Forgot to say that I also had a little chicken scratch to my brew. Not a lot, just a little.but that's in there as well.

After seeing my flocks reaction to fermented feed, even just what I had on hand, I am willing to add more stuff to it to improve the benefits they gain from it.

 

[tiedyemommy]

Fermenting feed is supposed to have numerous benefits. Better growth, eating less feed but getting more nutrition, probiotics which improves their health and lowers their chances of getting intestinal bacteria, and less flies hanging around. So it can be very good to feed to your ladies.

Awesome! I knew it was better than dry-feeding...just wasn't sure about why. Sounds awesome!

 

[Starfire669]

Awesome!  I knew it was better than dry-feeding...just wasn't sure about why.  Sounds awesome!

There is a thread here on fermented feed. I looked it up and read through it. There are also websites that explain it. My trail run had good results, the chickens, ducks, and geese love the fermented feed a lot better than dry feed. Some ladies have started "asking" me for it when they get hungry lol. Nothing like a chicken or 10 chasing you when your carring the food dish to convince you they are hungry. And a few have taken to jumping in my lap now, looking for where I am hiding the good stuff. Lol

 

[tiedyemommy]

There is a thread here on fermented feed. I looked it up and read through it. There are also websites that explain it. My trail run had good results, the chickens, ducks, and geese love the fermented feed a lot better than dry feed. Some ladies have started "asking" me for it when they get hungry lol. Nothing like a chicken or 10 chasing you when your carring the food dish to convince you they are hungry. And a few have taken to jumping in my lap now, looking for where I am hiding the good stuff. Lol

Ha-ha!

 

[Starfire669]

Ha-ha!

You just wait till the chickens start attacking you looking for food! Then I'll get to at you.

 

[topdycke]

There is a thread here on fermented feed. I looked it up and read through it. There are also websites that explain it. My trail run had good results, the chickens, ducks, and geese love the fermented feed a lot better than dry feed. Some ladies have started "asking" me for it when they get hungry lol. Nothing like a chicken or 10 chasing you when your carring the food dish to convince you they are hungry. And a few have taken to jumping in my lap now, looking for where I am hiding the good stuff. Lol

Mine love the fermented feed. I would say it does need to have some air circulation though - loosely fitted lid. I don't cover with water. Maybe with whole grains it takes more though. Just mix in new feed and enough water to make an oatmealy texture and let sit for half a day once it has been started. Mine smells like sour vomit but the chickens love it. The process reminded me of a recipe for sourdough amish friendship bread where you would take 1/3 and use it to bake, take another third and give to a friend and take the remaining third and add more stuff and liquid and stir together and let sit again.

 

[Starfire669]

Mine love the fermented feed.  I would say it does need to have some air circulation though - loosely fitted lid.  I don't cover with water.  Maybe with whole grains it takes more though. Just mix in new feed and enough water to make an oatmealy texture and let sit for half a day once it has been started.  Mine smells like sour vomit but the chickens love it.  The process reminded me of a recipe for sourdough amish friendship bread where you would take 1/3 and use it to bake, take another third and give to a friend and take the remaining third and add more stuff and liquid and stir together and let sit again.

I'm just following the recipe I was given. I think covering with water is to help prevent mold growth on the feed, especially if reuseing the same liquid over and over. The grains do soak up a lot of water though, so that might have something to do with it. I feed my flock for the day, then replace the feed and add a little water and let it sit over night. It works well, though I need to get better at measuring how much my flock needs for a day.

 

[kenmlang]

I am working too hard and too long each day. I am missing too much. Someone tell me where to research fermented feed. Starfire, how is Henry doing?? Got busy today, will get care package out asap!!

 

[Starfire669]

I am working too hard and too long each day. I am missing too much. Someone tell me where to research fermented feed. Starfire, how is Henry doing?? Got busy today, will get care package out asap!!

There are threads here on fermented feeds.

Henry is ok, he is in his garden right now. Hasn't been here all day, so I don't know exactly what is doing.