IMO going through feed faster is probably due to better flavor and fish eating more of the feed and some due to more fish eating feed. Be careful to not allow fish to become overly abundant. IMO it is better to have fewer larger fish compared to more smaller and or larger fish who may be too crowded. Crowding results in problems - often unseen or unrealized problems.
I'm sure you are correct Bill, I have noticed an increase in consumption in the HSB/CC pond where I hydrate the feed. Interestingly, in the HBG pond where I do not hydrate, they seem less interested in feeding, which is unusual behaviour for them. They still feed, but I have cut back on the daily amount.
Also, the old feed required a much longer amount of time to hydrate fully. I use a gallon ziplock bag, add the water and lay it out flat, turning it over after about 10 minutes time. If the concrete where I lay it out was hot, it would soften much quicker. Now, temperature doesn't seem to matter nearly as much. I fed this past weekend, in the rain, on a cooler, overcast day. The old feed would still be hard as BB's after five minutes hydration, but the new is nearly paste after that time frame, in spite of the cooler temps.
It smells remarkably like dogfood to me, and seems to spoil? quicker... As an example, I have fed the same way for three years. Dispense the hydrated feed from the ziplock, and return the empty bag to the bulk feed container. There would usually be a little residue left in the bag, no liquid present, just a few remnants. Repeat process the next evening, with the same ziplock. No problems ever, and no smell. I could use the same bag for a couple of months.
Now, I replace the bags every couple of days. The smell of soured feed inside that bag is terrible. It draws insects to the storage container, which I never had a problem with before. I'm sure this all sounds strange, but it's what I have experienced. I'm just looking for answers.
