Fermented chicken feed may comprise various ingredients and molasses is one of them. To layman’s language, molasses emanates from sugar extractions; beets and cane sugar. It comes in different varieties and it is dark but sweet.
Fermented chicken feed smells like vomit, is it possible? If you are an amateur in fermenting chicken feed, then you are likely to hold doubts on whether to use molasses or not. But, don’t worry about such a question because we are here with appropriate answers. There’s that type of molasses known as blackstrap which is produced after the 3rd boiling process.
The blackstrap molasses contains beneficial minerals and vitamins, making it suitable for fermented chicken feed. Our article will therefore entail benefits of including molasses to the fermented chicken feed, tips for successful fermented chicken feed with molasses process. You will benefit a lot from this educational report!
Effects of molasses to chicken feed fermentation
When using molasses to ferment chicken feed, sugar will be consumed. The end product has some gases and alcohol that might be not suitable for your chicken. So, avoid such occurrences, it’s advisable to introduce molasses after the fermentation process, but before feeding your flocks.
This type of feed is beneficial to your chicken, but only if you include some blackstrap of good quality. It becomes more nutritious to your chicken. Most poultry farmers follow the chicken feed fermentation process, which is adding some water to the whole grain of pellets.
After the process is over, they then add some molasses to the fermented chicken feed based on the quantity of the feed. Molasses should be added immediately before feeding your chicken; it shouldn’t sit for too long in the feed.
Contrary, molasses can lead to diarrhea, but this occurs mainly if you add more than enough molasses to the fermented chicken feed. If you use the correct rationing, then nothing will happen to your flocks. Medium and light molasses are less nutritional and sweeter when we compare it to blackstrap molasses.
Blackstrap molasses might seem to contain a somewhat spicy and deeper flavor, it’ll make the fermented chicken feed more palatable.
Importance of molasses to chickens
From a glance, molasses remains a brilliant supplement to your fermented chicken feed. The ingredient boasts various beneficial components like iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. It also serves as the best source of energy, that’s why many poultry farmers use it as a binder. Let’s exploit more benefits of including molasses to your fermented chicken feed;
1. Acts as a substitute of lost mineral and vitamins
Molasses play an important role, replacing the lost minerals and vitamins, mostly when your flocks have undergone some health complications like diarrhea. It’s also beneficial, an issue emanating from the chicken intestines.
Furthermore, if your chickens don’t have appetite or feel sick, the presence of molasses in the fermented or dry feed will enhance the palatability of the feed. This will therefore encourage your flocks to start eating.
2. Toxins elimination
If you don’t confine your chickens, they are likely to feed on something poisonous that can eventually lead to any kind of intestinal complications. Your chickens may start behaving strangely more than usual; it could be food poisoning. If this is the case, feeding them with molasses will flush out all harmful substances.
Diarrhea will help your chicken to emit such poisons from their body.
3. Fights Botulism
Botulism is one of the critical diseases that might mostly haunt ducks and chickens after taking moldy feed or stagnant water. If you don’t react quickly, you may end up losing your little-feathered friends.
For emergencies, molasses can be used to laxative flush; it will drain all harmful substances from the chicken’s body. The chickens will diarrhea intentionally to eliminate the toxins. Molasses remains not only the best option, but also a lifesaver action to bail your chickens from botulism.
4. Increase the chicken weight
Those poultry farmers who keep chickens for commercial purposes, then the weight should concern you. Molasses is one of the most commonly used ingredients to promote weight in your chickens.
However, you should be keen about the rationing of vitamin-rich foods plus protein content. Don’t forget to include the blackstrap molasses in the list for palatability.
5. Assists in cleansing the chicken mash
Some poultry farmers prefer subjecting their chicken to cleansing mash even if they are healthy. Doing so is beneficial since it has a positive effect to streamline the digestive tract and intestines of the chickens. Molasses becomes advantageous when added to their fermented feed since it features useful bacteria to the guts to fasten the digestion process.
Using molasses to make a cleansing smash is simple as you require pureed or grated apples with some flavorless yogurt. Include the blackstrap molasses and then feed it to adult chickens only.
6. Will help shipped chicks to recover easily
Some experts recommend mixing molasses fermented chicken feed for only grown up chickens. But, there is a way in which the same molasses can be used to help the baby chicks to recover; add a few tablespoons in their water. The shipped chicks can find it difficult to feed on fermented feed.
A mixture of molasses and water will eventually give them sufficient energy. It also boosts nutrients, required to keep the chicks going.
Tips when fermenting chicken feed with molasses
- Molasses play an important role, replacing the lost minerals and vitamins, mostly when your flocks have undergone some health complications like diarrhea.
- Molasses serves as the best source of energy, that’s why many poultry farmers use it as a binder.
- Regularly inspect for mold on the water. From the above section, you can realize that mold is one of the common culprits to be held responsible for vomit-like smell in fermented chicken feed.
- Make it a habit to utilize de-chlorinated water. You may opt for distilled or well water. Alternatively, you may use tap water, but it should be left overnight.
- Your feed or grain should be covered with a few inches of water
- Stirring the feed is also recommended and it should be done several times within a day.
- Contrary, molasses can lead to diarrhea, but this occurs mainly if you add more than enough molasses to the fermented chicken feed.
FAQs:
- Is it beneficial to make my own chicken feed?
Yes, homemade chicken feed should be cheaper than depending on commercial options. However, this depends on the number of ingredients you intend to include in your chicken feed. If you opt for high-quality and expensive supplies, then prepare to spend more.
- Is it possible to ferment starter chicken feed?
Submerging the chick starter in the water for four days is the basis for fermentation. However, if you plan to add useful bacteria to the ferment; try using something like apple cider vinegar or whey.
Final words
Hopefully, you have seen various benefits of including molasses to the fermented chicken feed. Blackstrap molasses is nutritious as it will make the eggs heavier and harder on the eggshells. Chickens are in love with fermented feed compared to dry pellets or whole grains.
At least you can now understand all these contents to enhance your chicken feed with various nutritional contents. The tips should also help you when fermenting chicken feed with molasses.