Trying fermented feed

[LogCabinChicks]

I was also wondering what everyone puts on top of their container during the process??

I put mine in 5 gallon mayonaise containers...and put the cap on tight. I make wine and that has an airlock, so I used the same thought process. I put mine in outside in the sun. I will tell you though that once I overfilled it and that container was ready to burst! I've never seen a container swell so much. So now I just make sure there is "growing" room. If the temperature gets cold I move the containers inside to the mud room.

 

[lazy gardener]

When you make FF, you only have to use the ACV when starting your very first batch. There should be enough culture left on the sides and bottom of the container to get your next batch going. Even then, the ACV is not at all necessary, because there are enough organisms floating in ordinary room air to get a good culture going. ACV just speeds up the process, and gets some good organisms going right from the get-go. An other nice little boost would be some whey left from making yogurt. When I drain whey, I save it and dump it in the FF.

 

[nayeli]

it shoudln't smell like poop. lol, it should smell a lot like yeast.

Can you or ONE of you that makes it do a post on "How to Ferment Feed" like a tutorial. Everything I read says there should be extra water on top when your making it but then the finished product always is held together... Mine is soupy following what directions I could find. I also don't see mine "growing" as I've heard it will double in size so I filled containers 1/2 full and they aren't to the top and its been days.
I'm also getting conflicting adbice on how often to stir it. Right now I'm just trying on small scale to see if I can get it and I'd love extra help! Pictures too if possible.
I fed to my chickens today (its day 3) and they seemed to like it but I don't feel like it was fully fermented... maybe a little bit that or just watery feed =/ I did see bubbles when I stired it though.

 

[RichnSteph]

Can you or ONE of you that makes it do a post on "How to Ferment Feed" like a tutorial. Everything I read says there should be extra water on top when your making it but then the finished product always is held together... Mine is soupy following what directions I could find. I also don't see mine "growing" as I've heard it will double in size so I filled containers 1/2 full and they aren't to the top and its been days.
I'm also getting conflicting adbice on how often to stir it. Right now I'm just trying on small scale to see if I can get it and I'd love extra help! Pictures too if possible.
I fed to my chickens today (its day 3) and they seemed to like it but I don't feel like it was fully fermented... maybe a little bit that or just watery feed =/ I did see bubbles when I stired it though.

https://tikktok.wordpress.com/2014/04/13/fermented-feed-faq/

That is what I used as a reference when I made mine. Feed+water+time. That's it. I put 6" of feed in the bottom of a 5 gallon container, added water, stirred it all up and let it set for about an hour. Then went back and added a little more water to make it the consistency of oatmeal. That was weeks ago and I'm still running the same bucket. I stir it once in the morning when I feed, once again when I feed in the afternoon after work and that's it. When it gets low I add more feed and water and stir it up. It is really really easy.

 

[nayeli]

https://tikktok.wordpress.com/2014/04/13/fermented-feed-faq/

That is what I used as a reference when I made mine. Feed+water+time. That's it. I put 6" of feed in the bottom of a 5 gallon container, added water, stirred it all up and let it set for about an hour. Then went back and added a little more water to make it the consistency of oatmeal. That was weeks ago and I'm still running the same bucket. I stir it once in the morning when I feed, once again when I feed in the afternoon after work and that's it. When it gets low I add more feed and water and stir it up. It is really really easy.

So would you say about equal parts water and feed? Not covered in water like a soup?

 

[RichnSteph]

So would you say about equal parts water and feed? Not covered in water like a soup?

Exactly. 1:1 water and feed and no covering of water.

 

[acro1010]

OK, I have stopped doing FF due to my circumstances. I have however found a great detailed link for all who need as much info as possible. Here it is. http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=htt...om/2014/04/13/fermented-feed-faq/&h=6AQEvLgEF I hope this helps.

By the way I have finally been getting eggs from one consistently for a few weeks almost every day. Another one started yesterday and skipped today. The one that started first has been awesome at laying and has given me two jumbos already. She has laid 26 or 27 out of 29 days.

 

[RumAndCoconuts]

I started on Fermented Feed about two months ago. I will never go back to dry. I had the feed run out and when the boat came in I gave the birds one feeding of dry just because it didn't have time to ferment. They all looked like they were choking after they ate. I should have just given it wet!
Anyway, when I started fermenting I was amazed at how much less feed I went through. At least half.
I do it the easy way. Just one bucket for each feed ( starter and layer) and just add more feed to replace the stuff used.
Works a treat.

 

[nayeli]

I give my feed wet but I have issues with fermented feed growing mold =/

 

[RumAndCoconuts]

I give my feed wet but I have issues with fermented feed growing mold =/

Just making sure you're not mistaking the yeast growth for mold. Every morning there is a film of white over the surface of the feed. That is just yeast though. I stir that right in before I serve. Or are you actually getting fuzzy mold?