Thank you this was just what I was looking for! So sorry to hear about the chicken you lost.
Fermenting Chicken Feed: A Straightforward Method
- Author PioneerChicks
- Publish date
- Article read time 8 min read
PioneerChicks
I hope others can avoid similar mistakes! Enjoy your fermenting!
Hi! I found this article very informative and I'm so glad I found it!
I'm new to all this so I had a question about the yeast. I know the yeast in sour crop is a different species than the Kahm yeast, but when you feed yeast to your chickens do you notice an increase in sour crop? My train of thought is that all that yeast could continue to grow in the crop and make it sour. Just a thought I had
Also, could you add natural supplements such as cayenne powder, oregano oil, apple cider vinegar, etc to the fermenter while maintaining their medicinal properties? (not that I would add all those at once)
I'm new to all this so I had a question about the yeast. I know the yeast in sour crop is a different species than the Kahm yeast, but when you feed yeast to your chickens do you notice an increase in sour crop? My train of thought is that all that yeast could continue to grow in the crop and make it sour. Just a thought I had
Also, could you add natural supplements such as cayenne powder, oregano oil, apple cider vinegar, etc to the fermenter while maintaining their medicinal properties? (not that I would add all those at once)
PioneerChicks
Sorry for this late reply!
Good question! I've never had issues with sour crop, though that's not to say it wouldn't happen. I don't know enough about sour crop to say
As to the natural supplements, I'm not sure on this either. I sometimes mix in herbs right before feeding but I haven't tried putting them in during the fermenting process. With something like herbs I guess that it wouldn't make a big difference. I don't know about oil.
I would do some research before mixing apple cider vinegar into the fermenting process because it is also a fermented product. I know some people use ASV to "kick off" their bucket of feed, but I haven't tried or researched this.
I hope this is helpful!
Good question! I've never had issues with sour crop, though that's not to say it wouldn't happen. I don't know enough about sour crop to say
As to the natural supplements, I'm not sure on this either. I sometimes mix in herbs right before feeding but I haven't tried putting them in during the fermenting process. With something like herbs I guess that it wouldn't make a big difference. I don't know about oil.
I would do some research before mixing apple cider vinegar into the fermenting process because it is also a fermented product. I know some people use ASV to "kick off" their bucket of feed, but I haven't tried or researched this.
I hope this is helpful!
I love this great article. I need to save on feed with 10 sweet chickens. Thank you so much!
PioneerChicks
Sorry for this late reply, I haven't been active on BYC lately!
I have not tried adding insects. I'd love to hear how this goes for you!
When I do my daily FF routine I take roughly half to 3/4s of the food in the bucket and add fresh food to the remaining quarter or half. There is always old going out and new coming in so it's not just sitting and fermenting itself crazy.
You're right in saying that if it fermented too long it could go bad. That is why it is important to adjust your container size and amount of food to your flock's consumption speed. Though I have not tested it, I can see how having a full bucket and taking only a scoop or two away a day could ruin the balance. Again, I typically take away at least half every day.
I have not done a lot of fermenting for humans, but it seems to me that if you have a container of sour kraut and you consumed and replaced a large portion of it every day there wouldn't be a problem with leaving it out, so long as you watch for mold. But if you go through the sour kraut slowly it would be a good idea to refrigerate it to slow the ferment.
Does this answer you questions? Can I clarify anything more/else?
I have not tried adding insects. I'd love to hear how this goes for you!
When I do my daily FF routine I take roughly half to 3/4s of the food in the bucket and add fresh food to the remaining quarter or half. There is always old going out and new coming in so it's not just sitting and fermenting itself crazy.
You're right in saying that if it fermented too long it could go bad. That is why it is important to adjust your container size and amount of food to your flock's consumption speed. Though I have not tested it, I can see how having a full bucket and taking only a scoop or two away a day could ruin the balance. Again, I typically take away at least half every day.
I have not done a lot of fermenting for humans, but it seems to me that if you have a container of sour kraut and you consumed and replaced a large portion of it every day there wouldn't be a problem with leaving it out, so long as you watch for mold. But if you go through the sour kraut slowly it would be a good idea to refrigerate it to slow the ferment.
Does this answer you questions? Can I clarify anything more/else?
PioneerChicks
Ah, great idea! I'll have to give that a shot!
I appreciate you taking the time to add picture with your step by step instructions - super helpful to see and meet a lit the yeast! I’ve seen it before and thought my ferment had gone bad
Great article, thanks ks again!!
Great article, thanks ks again!!
PioneerChicks
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
I use the Big D Ranch Non-GMO Broiler feed, and according to their feed tags the grains are corn, roasted beans, peas, soybean meal, and wheat. Yes, I think the green things were split peas.
I use the Big D Ranch Non-GMO Broiler feed, and according to their feed tags the grains are corn, roasted beans, peas, soybean meal, and wheat. Yes, I think the green things were split peas.
