Fermented chicken feed is a rising trend among backyard chicken keepers, and for good reason. By soaking your chickens' regular feed in water and letting it ferment for a few days, you can provide them with a range of benefits that support better health, improved digestion, and even cost savings. In this post, we'll explore the "what" and "why" of fermented chicken feed, along with a step-by-step guide on how to make it.
What is Fermented Chicken Feed?
Fermentation is the process of naturally occurring bacteria and yeast breaking down the sugars and starches in food. In chicken feed, this process enhances the nutritional profile of the grains by making them easier to digest and increasing the bioavailability of important vitamins, minerals, and probiotics.
Why Ferment Chicken Feed?
- Improved Digestion
Fermenting feed predigests the grains, which makes it easier for chickens to absorb nutrients. It reduces the anti-nutritional factors that are naturally present in grains, like phytic acid, which can interfere with mineral absorption. As a result, chickens gain more nutritional benefits from the same amount of feed. Additionally, the process of soaking chicken feed makes it easier to digest. The softer feed is easy on the digestive system, specifically for a chicken's crop and gizzard. - Better Gut Health
Fermentation introduces beneficial probiotics into the feed, promoting a healthy balance of gut bacteria. This can improve overall health, boost the immune system, and reduce the risk of common digestive issues. - Cost-Effective
Fermented feed swells and becomes more filling, so your chickens will likely eat less of it while still receiving all the nutrients they need. Over time, this can reduce your feed costs. - Stronger Eggshells and More Nutritious Eggs
The enhanced nutritional value of fermented feed often leads to stronger eggshells and more nutrient-dense eggs. Some chicken keepers even report better flavor in the eggs produced by chickens eating fermented feed. - Added Probiotics and Immune Health
When lactic acid bacteria ferment chicken feed, it promotes the growth of helpful bacterial populations. These probiotics significantly enhance digestion, boost immunity, and promote better gut health. Research indicates that animals regularly consuming probiotics from fermented feed exhibit stronger immune systems compared to those fed a conventional dry feed diet.
How to Ferment Chicken Feed?
Fermenting chicken feed is straightforward. All you need is chicken feed, water, and a few days of patience. Here's a step-by-step guide to get started.
What You'll Need:
- Chicken feed (pellets, crumbles, or whole grains): Whole grains typically hold up best, as others expand more and can get a bit mushy. Scratch can also be fermented, but this should only be given as a treat, not replacing their layer feed.
- Water (non-chlorinated, preferably)
- A large container (food-safe plastic or glass)
- A spoon or stick to stir
Steps:
- Choose your container
Pick a container large enough to hold the feed and allow it to expand. Ideal options include a spacious glass container or a bowl. Since fermentation creates mild acidity in the feed, selecting materials like glass, ceramic, or BPA-free plastic is recommended. The container should be ample enough to accommodate one or two days' feed supply for your birds and additional space for water, stirring, and expansion. Extra space is also essential for air circulation as the fermentation process produces gases. - Add the feed
Start by filling your container about halfway with dry feed, or add enough for one or two daily servings for your flock. Remember that the feed will swell as it absorbs water, so leave enough room for expansion. - Add water
Cover the feed with water, ensuring it’s fully submerged and leaving a couple of inches of room to expand. - Stir and cover
Give the feed a good stir to ensure all of it gets wet. Cover the container loosely. You want to allow gases to escape but keep dust and debris out. A loose-fitting lid or cloth works well. - Let it ferment
Place the container in a spot with moderate temperature out of direct sunlight. Stir the feed daily, adding more water if necessary to keep it submerged. After about 2-3 days, you’ll notice bubbles forming and a slightly sour smell, which is the fermentation process in action! - Feed it to your chickens
Once the feed has fermented (usually between 3 and 5 days), it’s ready to serve. Strain out the liquid if it’s too soupy, and offer the fermented feed to your chickens. You can repeat the process with fresh feed in the same container, using some of the previous batch’s liquid to jumpstart fermentation.
Tips for Successful Fermentation
- Use non-chlorinated water: The chlorine in tap water can kill the beneficial bacteria you're trying to encourage. If you don't have access to filtered water, leave tap water out overnight to allow the chlorine to evaporate before using it for fermentation.
- Watch the temperature: Fermenting feed does best in moderate temperatures (65-75°F). In extreme heat, it may ferment too fast and spoil, while cold temperatures can slow the process.
- Avoid metal containers: Fermentation can react with metal, which may affect the quality of the feed. Stick with food-safe plastic, glass, or ceramic containers.
How Often Should You Give Your Flock Fermented Feed?
There is no “overdoing it” - the more often you give your flock fermented feed, the better. Certain poultry keepers provide their chickens only with fermented feed, whereas others reserve it for occasional treats. Although fermenting feed is quite simple, it requires more effort than filling their feeder with feed for the week.
Provide a similar quantity of fermented chicken feed as you do with their regular feed. Refer to the serving guidelines on your feed package. Since fermented feed can increase in volume after soaking and may keep chickens feeling fuller, they might consume a bit less than normal. Monitor your flock's intake and make adjustments as necessary.
Fermented chicken feed is a simple, cost-effective way to improve your flock's overall health and boost egg production. With just a little time and effort, you can offer your chickens a highly nutritious meal that supports their digestive health, strengthens their immune system, and reduces feed costs in the long run. Give it a try, and watch your chickens thrive!
Do you ferment your chicken feed, or are you considering trying it? Let us know your experience in the comments!
