Anyone feeding Wholesome Harvest to their flock?

[Bawkbok]

Please, what is it about fermenting feed that makes it better / healthier for the birds? I currently don't ferment but am thinking about starting that process especially if it produces better quality eggs. It sounds like one must have multiple jars of fermenting in process to keep a daily ration available for the ladies. We have a tiny kitchen so not sure I have the extra space for numerous jars at once. Once fermented it all needs to be consumed on the fourth day, correct? No storing the remainder in the fridge? Is it only feed or do you add other grains or items to it? Is it worth the effort? Am I understanding this correctly? Thanks for your input

 

[FrostRanger]

Please, what is it about fermenting feed that makes it better / healthier for the birds? I currently don't ferment but am thinking about starting that process especially if it produces better quality eggs. It sounds like one must have multiple jars of fermenting in process to keep a daily ration available for the ladies. We have a tiny kitchen so not sure I have the extra space for numerous jars at once. Once fermented it all needs to be consumed on the fourth day, correct? No storing the remainder in the fridge? Is it only feed or do you add other grains or items to it? Is it worth the effort? Am I understanding this correctly? Thanks for your input

Fermenting does make some nutrients more bioavailable. You can keep the jars somewhere cool and safe from wild animals like a porch or a garage, doesn't have to be the kitchen. Whether it's worth it or not depends I think. I occasionally ferment, but only to make a healthy treat, they get pellets as their usual feed
And yes, you do have to use fermented feed fairly quickly, especially in summer

 

[Perris]

Please, what is it about fermenting feed that makes it better / healthier for the birds? I currently don't ferment but am thinking about starting that process especially if it produces better quality eggs. It sounds like one must have multiple jars of fermenting in process to keep a daily ration available for the ladies. We have a tiny kitchen so not sure I have the extra space for numerous jars at once. Once fermented it all needs to be consumed on the fourth day, correct? No storing the remainder in the fridge? Is it only feed or do you add other grains or items to it? Is it worth the effort? Am I understanding this correctly? Thanks for your input

I copy this from my article on wholesome homemade feed:
Fermenting cereals in combination with legumes improves the overall quality of the fermented product in several ways. Cereals like wheat are usually deficient in lysine but are rich in cystine and methionine, while legumes like peas are usually rich in lysine but deficient in sulphur-containing amino acids. By combining cereals with legumes, the overall protein quality is improved. In addition, “the benefits of fermentation may include improvement in palatability and acceptability by developing improved flavours and textures; preservation through formation of acidulants…and antibacterial compounds; enrichment of nutritive content by microbial synthesis of essential nutrients and improving digestibility of protein and carbohydrates; removal of antinutrients, natural toxicants and mycotoxins… Changes in the vitamin content of cereals with fermentation vary according to the fermentation process, and the raw material used in the fermentation. B group vitamins generally show an increase on fermentation … (for example) During the fermentation of maize or kaffircorn in the preparation of kaffir beer, thiamine levels are virtually unchanged, but riboflavin and niacin contents almost double (Steinkraus 1994)” (Haard et.al, chapter 1).

There is more that should answer your other questions, and references, in the article
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...eat-tears-a-calculator-or-deep-pockets.78655/

 

[Bawkbok]

Thank you for the replies and information, I appreciate it.