Wet and fermented feed

[jonezjollyfarm]

So I have a question about wetting feed. I was reading about fermenting feed and I read if you don't ferment soaking it over night is a good alternative because it's easier for them to eat and digest. Then I read one a thread about fermenting feed that if your going to soak feed you should feed it to them immediately and if they don't eat it in an hour to discard of it. Which is it?

 

[linz44]

If you wet the feed it should be fed right after you wet it because it can get moldy. I would offer it and then throw away what they don't eat. Don't leave it out too long. I usually make up a small amount, leave it with them no more then an hour or so and throw away what's left.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I don’t do fermented feed so won’t comment much on that. Fermenting pickles it which provides some protection.

Wet feed can mold and moldy feed is very bad for chickens. I don’t know where that one hour thing came from. It would be nice if people would give an explanation of why when they make pronouncements like that. Wet feed is not going to get moldy in an hour but they do need to clean it up before it gets moldy. So just feed them enough at a time that they will clean it up. Also what is the supposed benefit of wetting it? Did they tell you?

If you are feeding mash (a fine powder) it is often wetted before feeding because the different ingredients can settle out since they have different densities. That way the chickens might eat all of one part and not enough of another ingredient. If you mix it up and wet it, it stays mixed up. Crumbles and pellets are just mixed up mash that is wetted and then dried so it stays mixed. If the only benefit of wetting it is that it stays mixed up then just switch to crumbles or pellets. Problem solved.

 

[linz44]

Chickens like their feed moist too. My vet told me that I can offer it but to basically let them have their fill and take it away. Bacteria likes warm moist places to breed and that's why she said take it away when they are done and not to leave it out and let it breed bacteria. I don't do the fermenting either. I just wet it with water to offer them something diffrent once in a while. Its not something you have to do but I just do it for something different for them. The hour thing is a guideline so that it doesn't get bacteria in it. I read it on this site somewhere too.