Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[catface]

Quote:
I ferment with the Braggs vinegar and use scratch grains and add some 5grain rolled cereal from the bulk bins at the grocery store. I throw in leftover produce as well. Celery and chard work great. I've thrown left over rice, pasta, cereal grains, etc in the ferment bucket. I also give them layer pellets if they want it but it usually just sits. If you want added calcium, grind up a tablet and add it. I've been doing this for years and have better results than with any other feed. My birds lay year round, lay early (4 months old sometimes) and have nicer feathering, eat much less than with dry feeds and their poop stinks less believe it or not.

 

[Bridebeliever]

I ferment with the Braggs vinegar and use scratch grains and add some 5grain rolled cereal from the bulk bins at the grocery store. I throw in leftover produce as well. Celery and chard work great. I've thrown left over rice, pasta, cereal grains, etc in the ferment bucket. I also give them layer pellets if they want it but it usually just sits. If you want added calcium, grind up a tablet and add it. I've been doing this for years and have better results than with any other feed. My birds lay year round, lay early (4 months old sometimes) and have nicer feathering, eat much less than with dry feeds and their poop stinks less believe it or not.

Nice! I like your system! How long do you ferment it? Or do you just keep it going?

 

[catface]

Quote:
I let it sit for 3-4 days the first time and after that I keep it going day to day.

 

[Bridebeliever]

I let it sit for 3-4 days the first time and after that I keep it going day to day.

Okay. I've got about 4 cups of this scratch and peck stuff. How much Braggs should I use? I do know I need to use water as well up to the top.

 

[catface]

Quote:
Put it in a small tub or bucket, fill with distilled or non chlorinated water to about an inch above the feed and 1/2 cup vinegar and let it sit for 3-4 days or until it's bubbling. If it soaks up all the water add a bit more to cover. Once it's fermented strain the grains out and feed to the birds. Save the liquid and add more grains/feed/veg etc and water, do the same every day. I've had the same ferment bucket going for almost 2 years now.

 

[Cockatrice6420]

Put it in a small tub or bucket, fill with distilled or non chlorinated water to about an inch above the feed and 1/2 cup vinegar and let it sit for 3-4 days or until it's bubbling. If it soaks up all the water add a bit more to cover. Once it's fermented strain the grains out and feed to the birds. Save the liquid and add more grains/feed/veg etc and water, do the same every day. I've had the same ferment bucket going for almost 2 years now.

Is this a method that's better for smaller flocks? I'm trying to picture how much food I'd start with.

 

[catface]

Quote:
I use a 2 gallon bucket and it feeds over 50 birds. Once they get used to it they really do eat much less.

 

[Cockatrice6420]

I use a 2 gallon bucket and it feeds over 50 birds. Once they get used to it they really do eat much less.

Thank you, and what if they don't eat it all, is it like sour dough starter, just add in what you take out?

 

[catface]

Quote: If they don't eat it they will the next day. And yes, add in what you take out. Sometimes I have so much leftover greens from the garden I have more of that than grains in the bucket but they'll eat it all

 

[Chickielady]

German radishes

My favorite, German Giants ?