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Feed Recipes

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Sarah Meaders:
Thanks! I took all the grains in their feed mix and put them in a big jar with fresh water to let them soak. I researched the difference in fermenting and just soaking, and apparently, if left a few days, since they are grains, they naturally ferment! :) I read I could add a touch of whey, yogurt or real buttermilk if i needed to speed up the fermentation, and take a scoop out each day to feed, replacing with a fresh scoop for perpetual fermented feed. So it seems you ARE technically fermenting! I hope they eat the flax and lentils better soaked. I know they do when they are cooked or mixed with a cooked mash. I am also going to be adding a new grain I discovered while researching fermenting that is high in protein, too. I will let you know how the parents (my layer flock) take to the breakfast, and how this perpetual feed works out!

How old do you think the chicks should be before I start introducing soaked whole grains?

Lee G:
You're totally right Sarah! The grains caused natural fermentation over time, and warmth helped to speed up the process. No wonder it smelled like I was brewing alcohol, because I was!  ;D whoops, lol

Lentils shouldn't be a problem. My birds love'em when I can get them. But I wouldn't introduce whole grains into the mix until the chicks are at least 12 weeks of age. That's the usual age I start around. Chick starter and water are good enough in the beginning, and you can always add vitamins and mineral supplements to their drinking water. Oh, and don't forget to provide grit when you do begin to gradually add whole grains.

Your chicks are gonna grow like lil' weeds, just wait and see!  :)

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