fermenting feed in winter

[Mrs.Megan]

I also use tikktok's method and it's so easy! I use this container (in the amazon link below) and keep it in my mudroom on a table and have had no problems and no smells (which is important since it's close to the kitchen table!) I think it looks cute too well cute enough lol

https://www.amazon.com/Anchor-Hocki...f_rd_t=40701&refRID=HA3DB474NPBH64M9KP4E&th=1

 

[VyeFye]

I also use tikktok's method and it's so easy! I use this container (in the amazon link below) and keep it in my mudroom on a table and have had no problems and no smells (which is important since it's close to the kitchen table!) I think it looks cute too well cute enough lol
View attachment 1603638

https://www.amazon.com/Anchor-Hocki...f_rd_t=40701&refRID=HA3DB474NPBH64M9KP4E&th=1

I have those same containers, but they are for drinks. My chickens get a large pickle jar right now. When they get bigger I will have to change things around.

 

[VyeFye]

This was on my sauerkraut, but looks just like the mold that was on my feed...

It looks sort of similar to this. It definitely sounds like you have done your fair share of fermenting though so going with your gut and tossing is the best thing to do. I'm sorry your mom fed your chickens icky food.

 

[blackdog043]

This was on my sauerkraut, but looks just like the mold that was on my feed...

That's not mold and is perfectly fine to feed to your chickens. Mine gets like that if I forget to stir it before the next day. I add new feed every morning when I take some out, this way it ferments for the next morning. I've had my current batch going for about 6 months this way.

 

[Beer can]

Good thread on fermenting
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fermented-feeds-anyone-using-them.645057/

I started out with three big plastic Maxwell house coffee containers rotating them in our basement/cellar. Worked good during winter.
Then I had more birds and a 5gal bucket in the summer heat, one day ferment using back slop was good.
I quit during winter months cause of the hassle. If you do, they require less water.

 

[Kris5902]

That’s what I got when I tried to save my ferment... I had one bucket that ran completely dry, and got a grey fuzzy film on the crumbles. I skimmed the fuzzy grey off and added more liquid to the feed then that layer appeared. Darn it, maybe my sauerkraut wasn’t bad after all! It didn’t smell right though, so I tossed it, the feed also lost it’s sour fermented smell. Maybe it’s a different wild yeast strain that is dominant in my area? Have to wonder if that’s the case what my future fermenting endeavors will be like, for my chickens and myself as well!

 

[VyeFye]

From reading today I think it’s called kahm yeast.

 

[Kris5902]

Looks like it... I do think the grey fuzzy that I skimmed off before was mold though... but the weird lacy white layer that formed after does look like the kham yeast in the photos. it was odd today when I got up to check my sauerkraut attempt and saw it looking just like what my feed did. I might try the cooler idea to regulate the temperature better and see if I can get a good ferment going in the garage area...

 

[VyeFye]

Best of luck! Let us know how it goes if you have time.

 

[Beer can]

Oops.