Category Archives: Tales from the Farm

Momma Hen is Back

Momma Hen emerged from her carefully constructed nest under the tarps in the pole barn today. She once again brings out into the light a flock of baby chicks. Mostly they are Indian Jungle Fowl like her, but this time there is one Easter Egger. Now how did that baby get mixed in? Well, nevermind. She will love them all just the same. Welcome back, Momma Hen!

Red Indian Jungle Fowl are the original chicken breed, and Momma Hen takes her job of raising chicks very seriously. Just like her human counterpart, she encourages the chicks to venture out away from her, but provides a safe haven when they are frightened and run back to hide under her fluffy skirt.

She takes them a little further away from the nest each day, returning several times to nap as they grow. She shows them how to scratch for bugs and seeds and how to stay camouflaged in the bushes when the geese spot hawks in the air. She keeps them just long enough for them to learn what they need to know, and then sends them off on their own at just the right time. Sound familiar?

We see patterns in nature that mirror our own behaviors in the community. It’s important to recognize those patterns and not let our busy lives disrupt them. We have lost a lot of the ideas that our ancestors used to guide their lives. Our families have been torn apart and we care more about creature comforts than building character in our children. We care more about convenience than helping our children develop the skills they need to thrive.

Let’s stay put on the homestead and build the memories that our kids need to realize what’s important and what needs to be done. Maybe that’s what this pandemic is all about.

Happy Homesteading,

T.

Fermented Feed for Livestock – Good stuff

Fermented Feed for Goats Plus

When you ferment grain it raises the protein content to anywhere from 18% to 21%. Dried barley is only 11% protein, which isn’t enough to make milk, meat or eggs. It needs something to increase the protein, and most folks have to add something like alfalfa or linseed meal. 

For our fermented feed we use whole oats, feed wheat, cracked corn, and Black Oil sunflower seeds, also, whole corn for the goats and hogs.  We use a three day 5-gallon bucket system, adding ACV to the bucket about 1/3 to 1/2 full of non-chlorinated water.  Place a plate on top of the feed in the bucket to act as a fermenting weight and keep the grain submerged.  This will cut down on mold.  

The fermentation process starts when bacteria found on raw grains begins to partially break down the starch in the grain.  Once fermentation has occurred the enzyme content on the grains improves, and the levels of vitamins B, C, and K increase. Also, fermented feed is easily digestible. Fermented grains allow the animals to remain hydrated, while allowing for the consumption of a natural probiotic versus a synthetic option. 

Because fermented grains are almost fully absorbed into the body, goats produce very little waste (poop). In addition to little waste, goats that consume fermented grains eat less, which allows for a reduction in how much feed needs to be offered. 

What makes fermentation beneficial for poultry? In a nutshell when fermented feed is consumed it provides natural probiotics to the body, packed full of good bacteria and yeast. Fermented feed can be consumed by all livestock, including dogs and cats, and even ruminants like goats.

Livestock feed ferments when allowed to soak in water, typically for three days. Temperature plays an important factor on how quickly  food ferments. Fermentation occurs between 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything over can cause the item to spoil, whereas anything under can cause the item to not ferment.

Lactic acid bacteria begins forming on the second day of the fermentation process. The beneficial bacteria consumes the sugars found in the grain and begins to multiply. The lactic acid makes the environment unsuitable for bad bacteria to thrive. What remains in fermented feed are beneficial microbes.

Fermented grains should be fed at the ratio of 1 lb for each 100 lbs of animal, daily. That works out to about 1/2 cup twice a day for our Dwarf Nigerian milk goats. Don’t let them talk you into giving them more!!

Happy Homesteading,

T.

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