Fermenting feed

[Kristinleann252]

I plan to start fermenting my feed soon but have a question. I have a feeder that I fill up about once a week. Can I put fermented feed in there and leave it or do I have to feed them twice a day and not leave it out at all?

 

[Perris]

hello @Kristinleann252 , welcome to BYC
I wouldn't leave fermented feed around for a day, never mind a week.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Fermented feed doesn't work that way. What type of feeder is it? You generally want FF in open bowls or troughs, for one.

 

[TexasBaybee]

hello @Kristinleann252 , welcome to BYC
I wouldn't leave fermented feed around for a day, never mind a week.

I am on day 2 of fermenting some food for first time. I couldn't remember if I stirred it today so I stirred it. It is now separated where the liquid or water is in the center. Is that normal? And I read what u said about feeding. Do I not just pour it out on ground or in a container and leave it? Do I need to gather up what is not eaten at end of day and discard?

 

[rosemarythyme]

I am on day 2 of fermenting some food for first time. I couldn't remember if I stirred it today so I stirred it. It is now separated where the liquid or water is in the center. Is that normal? And I read what u said about feeding. Do I not just pour it out on ground or in a container and leave it? Do I need to gather up what is not eaten at end of day and discard?

Consistency varies depending on feed and water to food ratio, so not sure if it's normal for your feed or not.

I personally would not put out more feed than they can eat in the day, as leftover food can attract vermin. And dried out FF is not as attractive to chickens anyhow.

 

[Shadrach]

I plan to start fermenting my feed soon but have a question. I have a feeder that I fill up about once a week. Can I put fermented feed in there and leave it or do I have to feed them twice a day and not leave it out at all?

If it is commercial feed you are fermenting I'm afraid to write you are wasting your time.
Fermenting whole grains, legumes and whole seeds can improve the bioavailability of the nutrients. Commercial feed, pellets and crumble have already been processed .

 

[Perris]

I am on day 2 of fermenting some food for first time. I couldn't remember if I stirred it today so I stirred it. It is now separated where the liquid or water is in the center. Is that normal? And I read what u said about feeding. Do I not just pour it out on ground or in a container and leave it? Do I need to gather up what is not eaten at end of day and discard?

what @Shadrach said. That apart, I would put whatever you do use as feed in a container, and gather it in after half an hour ideally.

To minimize waste, adjust the quantity to match how much they eat in about 20 minutes, assuming they can all eat at once. Otherwise adjust the quantity to suit what's left when everyone's had their fill, however long that takes.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Plastic gutter makes a good container for fermented feed. The benefits of fermenting depend on what you are fermenting, and what you are fermenting those ingredients with. How long it takes to ferment, and how long you can leave it out is highly dependent on your environment.

What your fermeted feed should look like when properly fermented depends on what you are fermenting, and how you are fermenting it.

I know those sound like non answers, but pickles are fermented. So is kimchi. Nato. Yogurt. Miso. Sourdough. Kombucha. Beer. Wine. Those products are not interchangeable. Fermenting "chicken feed" is much the same.

 

[McChooky]

I add water to crumbles and feed it to my chickens in 2-3 stainless steel dog bowls( lightweight and easy to clean) The chickens eat in groups of 3 or 4 and love it .They have automatic feeders for the dry crumbles

 

[Debbie292d]

We put ours in silicone loaf pans to drop some off at the various locations. I have six of them and some 8"x8" ones for the littler chicks. Reviewed here.

I tried fermenting feed once, and scratched it as I'd rather just feed them mash as a treat once in a while instead. I combine half Kalmbach's Henhouse Reserve, then add whole oats, whole red winter wheat, a tiny bit of flax and chia seeds all to make up the other half, then do it in quart jars. I stir it once a day and add water to cover it. Otherwise, we'll have fruit flies in it or it can mold. I only make about one or two jars a week in the summer, but more often in the winter.