Trying fermented feed

[Burns Homestead]

Well right now Im putting in Purina Layettes, Scratch, Egg Shells, Alfalfa Pellets and Wheat Bran I make a weeks worth in a 50 Gallon water drum . My question is by fermenting it add extra protein so do I need to add the lay pellets?

 

[MrsFitzDarcy]

I just ferment what ever bag of feed I am giving to my flock. Currently, I am buying layer b/c it is less expensive than starter, grower or multi-flock. When they have less forage/insects available, I'll switch to a higher protein feed. My 16 gals and their guy get 2 qts dry feed fermented every day. I rotate 2 containers, and keep them in my laundry sink. Every morning, I stumble out of bed, go down stairs, grab a container, go out and let the girls out. I either dump the contents of the container into their dish, or sometimes directly on the ground. Then, back to the grain bag, scoop 2 quarts of feed into the container, set it in the laundry sink, fill with tepid water, perhaps rob some of the white culture from the other bucket, give them both a stir, and put the spoon in the oldest container so I'll remember to feed that one out the next day. It couldn't possibly be any easier than that. Sometimes, I'll add some scratch to the ferment, especially if it is a higher protein feed. As the weather gets colder, I may need to adjust their rations. Some folks advocate feeding at the end of the day to encourage more active foraging. In theory, a great idea. But, i feed in the morning b/c it works for me.

Sounds a bit like the soaking beet pulp routine for horses. Pretty easy.

 

[Meeka3]

I'm on my 2nd day, and my chooks love it. I had a head start though because I've always added water to their starter crumbles and then when they grew up I just added fine laying mash to that, mixed a little bit of acv to the water and they would run up to the back fence a couple of times a day to supplement their dry feed.I was also sprouting a wild bird mix which I would put out every morning. Now I have started fermenting the layer mash and the sprouting mix together.

 

[lazy gardener]

Okay I have a Question I have been reading other post on FF and wondering alot of people say what they are fermenting and my question is if by fermenting it makes more protein do you have to add layer feed to the FF or just grains? Hopefully this makes Since

No, it does not produce more protein. what it does do is make the protein that is there more bio-available. Just use the feed that you would normally use. I'd not put chickens on a scratch only diet. And don't add table scraps to your FF. You can top off your FF with table scraps when you feed them, but don't put any extra junk in while it's fermenting. When I pour out my FF, it is the consistency of cooked oatmeal. It will hold it's shape a bit, is not runny.

 

[Burns Homestead]

No, it does not produce more protein. what it does do is make the protein that is there more bio-available. Just use the feed that you would normally use. I'd not put chickens on a scratch only diet. And don't add table scraps to your FF. You can top off your FF with table scraps when you feed them, but don't put any extra junk in while it's fermenting. When I pour out my FF, it is the consistency of cooked oatmeal. It will hold it's shape a bit, is not runny.

Okay Thank You That's what I needed to know

 

[rc4u]

i brew beer and ferment grain while doing it...has anybody used a specific gravity meter to test for alchol in ther fermented feed?? i do know my chickens like a little beer once in awhile.....

 

[acro1010]

i brew beer and ferment grain while doing it...has anybody used a specific gravity meter to test for alchol in ther fermented feed?? i do know my chickens like a little beer once in awhile.....

I brew as well. It is more like vinegar than beer if you know your stuff .

 

[acro1010]

I have tried two times thus far to introduce fermented crumbles

. I believe pellets would be best. In my opinion crumbles are easy to digest thus the fermenting process adds nothing, IMHO. I will be continuing fermenting scratch as they love it so far. Please add some advice or reassurance to this opinion.

 

[lazy gardener]

IMO, the fermenting works on a much finer level to break down the anti-nutrients in grains (which allow them to pass through an animal's gut intact enough to sprout) thus allowing the gut to better utilize the proteins and nutrients that are available. Even though milk is a liquid, when you add the bacteria to turn it into yogurt, it makes the same volume of milk, which is now yogurt, easier to digest, and therefore more bio-available. So, it doesn't much matter what the shape of the grain product you start with. If it is fermented, it is more bio-available. It's entirely a personal choice to ferment, or not. And the fermented scratch that you are giving to your flock is wonderful. I'm sure they've already told you that! Crumbles are merely pellets that have been milled to a crumble size. Same product, and once it hits the liquid of the digestive system, indistinguishable.

 

[MrsFitzDarcy]

I'm trying this, but so far my hens are turning their beaks up at it. And following me around for something better.