The Poultry Keeper

CP · Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:01 am Post subject:

Just wish I could get my head around it.... Embarassed

ntsmama · Joined: 06 Dec 2007 Posts: 234

CP · Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:22 am Post subject:

Well there's the liquid, the bran, the ceramic rings, pipes...... some you have to ferment, brew, yogurt....!!??? Shocked

Oh, & the different names - as per the title of this thread! Confused

stephen · Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 6:28 am Post subject:

I think the easiest thing to do is make the brewed/fermented/yoghurt maker type as it's the most versatile, and then use that to convert bran, straw, cleaning solution, etc.

ntsmama · Joined: 06 Dec 2007 Posts: 234

vanessa · Joined: 24 Sep 2005 Posts: 1154 Location: Correze

Well, I'm afraid I'm with CP ... it's all as clear as mud! I think I'm starting to understand, then something is posted that seems contradictory!!

Making my head hurt Sad

stephen · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 6:43 pm Post subject:

Ok, the stuff you make/brew with a fermenter or yoghurt maker is all the same stuff. Different kits and sites just call the process and items different names - if you get a strong liquid at the end, it's the fermented/brewed "yoghurt".

The yoghurt can then be
a) diluted to make a washing solution
b) diluted and added to drinking water
c) diluted and used for spraying bedding & housing
d) used to inoculate your own bran bought from a feed merchant to make your own bokashi/EM bran a lot cheaper than getting it posted.

Does that make it any easier to understand?

vanessa · Joined: 24 Sep 2005 Posts: 1154 Location: Correze

Yes, thank you Stephen. Smile

stephen · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:16 pm Post subject:

It is a steep learning curve to begin with, especially as it is all relatively new to Europe, and all the original work was Japanese, so it's had that fun translation into English by several people, and most of it via other countries first (especially the Netherlands).

Bhindi · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:30 pm Post subject:

But Stephen, I thought you have to use the yoghurt maker, but the chap in the you tube video was just using a huge plastic tub, ceramic powder, Wheat bran, hot water and molasses, and activated EM microbial inoculent.... phew... oh and salt. I haven't heard the salt mentioned before.

Do I have to buy the yoghurt maker or is this for something different?

ntsmama · Joined: 06 Dec 2007 Posts: 234

The yogurt maker makes the activated EM microbial inoculent

stephen · Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 6:24 am Post subject:

The yoghurt maker is for making your brew from the "mother culture".

If you want, you can just buy the liquids from Wiggly Wigglers, or whoever, and use that directly, but it's far more economical to buy the "yoghurt maker" and brew your own from one purchase of the mother culture.

(Also, when we make the EM bran, we don't add any ceramic powder and have no problems whatsoever with it working)

At the moment, people are finding their feet, and have their own tips for what does and doesn't work.

EGirl · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 820 Location: Dublin, Ireland

Hi Stephen, I've been reading this thread with interest. A quick question - Can you spray this safely on the surface (compacted clay, formerly lawn) of the chicken run, to deoderise & break down the faeces that has been washed into the earth by the rain? I want an organic solution to my smelly run!

stephen · Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 12:58 pm Post subject:

I wouldn't think it'd be a problem at all. They recommend it on lawns and veg gardens.

Bhindi · Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 2:18 pm Post subject:

I'm planning on spraying my run, mainly because one of the cats has started to use the dry dusty soil as a toilet. Mad

My progress so far, into the world of EM, is I've been using my buckets and bran, I'm still on the first bucket, and I've had it in use for almost 6 weeks, (I think I'm going for a record)

Yesterday I took delivery of my yoghurt maker and its two potions, so in 6 days time I will be blitzing everything, (once I work out very simple dilution ratio to the containers I use, and how what and why and for how long.. ... How soon CAN you retreat plants?

I want to put some in my 10'x5' pond, but have no idea what quantity.

ta x