Follow Along - Fermented Duck Feed

[Teneniel]

Hey duck lovers!

I'm starting an experiment with fermenting my duck feed. Today was day 1: fermenting my normal mix

So into the mini crock (read: a free food grade container from the smoothie place) went my normal duck mix:

1 standard feed scoop Purina Duck
1 Tbs Brewer's Yeast
1 tsp Cayenne
1Tbs dried oregano
Plus 1tbs ACV to kick start the process. Covered it with water and I'm keeping it inside. I've successfully fermented many things in my kitchen so I'm confident in my ability to nurture it up and tell good from spoiled. Plus there are probably lots of yeast buddies around to help it get going.

I have two ducks that are 11 weeks and outside, plus 9 one week olds in the brooder. Three of them I'm brooding for a friend and she's on board with the experiment. The plan is to offer a small amount of the fermented feed in a separate container to see if they have any preference, then barring any issues, work it in more and more until they're fully on it.

I thought I'd chronicle it here in case anyone else is fermentation-curious.

I did want to note that I figure the scientists at Purina have a better handle on duck nutrition than I do, so for the time being I'm sticking with the formulated feed.

Thanks for following along!

 

[Isaac 0]

 

[CoriM]

So is the Purina food whole grains then? Just curious - my Purina is pellets, but do ferment whole grains for my ducks as well.

 

[Teneniel]

No it’s the pellets. I mash it for the first few days of ducklings and people ferment their all flock pellets so I’m giving this a shot.

what grains do you ferment?

 

[CoriM]

Interesting. I thought only whole grains could be fermented because they absorb the liquid and expand. My pellets that get wet just turn into mush. I ferment with scratch and peck whole grain feed. I'd love to see how it goes for you!

 

[Teneniel]

I make sourdough which is processed flour. Hmmm. It’ll be interesting! Got a bio degree I’m not using much so I’m always up for an experiment.

 

[CoriM]

@Teneniel - I'm in NW WA too. What kind of ducks do you have?

 

[Teneniel]

@Teneniel - I'm in NW WA too. What kind of ducks do you have?

at the moment I have a hodgepodge of one runner drake, one WH hen, and 9 ducklings. 3 each of Cayuga, Blue Swedish, and a backyard mix that I’m brooding for a friend. I’m just south of Bham. How about you?

 

[Ratchnick]

When i have seen this done before people use sourdough starter or the naturaly present yeasts and bacteria (same thing) . Brewers yeast does not do well in my expirence as a polyculture, it just takes over and dominates. Interested to see the taste test!

 

[CoriM]

That sounds like a fun mix of ducks! I'm in Redmond, WA.