Fermenting Chicken Feed: A Straightforward Method

Very helpful thanks so much for providing your results and suggestions. It did help me make the switch and my girls are looking great laying well (for winter in MO) and the coop smells better Cecal poos seem less prevalent than before and don't smell as strongly.

Clearly written--thank you!

Also, I was like "Yeah! I can do this!" . . . and then immediately did one of the things you said not to do and put too much feed in the container, LOL!!!

So here's a question: I know that doing the grains is better than using pellets or crumble. I'm using crumble for now because I have so many bags of it. Does the fermenting create probiotics with crumble, or only if you use a grain feed?

Hello I've been thinking about trying this. I have a small flock and want to
Try the fermentation to extend the feed
.I've been feeding lay mash .does it matter the type of feed I'm wondering.
Enjoyed the article it thoroughly and clearly covered the subject....so easy to try this (I thought
Thanks

Great article & thank you for all the photos. I just wanted to add - Do NOT use any metal utensils or bowls for fermented feed, just like with sourdough starter metal can kill your ferment.

Very Helpful. I’m starting a bucket today!
what kind of hen is this? I have one, too.

This is a Great article and only giving them what they will Eat Should stop them from scratching some of it into the ground and surrounding area. During 2020 my whole place got Ingested with Rats and they were Not afraid of ME! It got so bad they ruined 2 vehicles by chewing everything But the metal. I want to try again but have been afraid to do so after having to sell my beloved property and get a new car. Once they took over the House, I couldn't keep up with the baiting stations and traps. Did anyone Else have trouble with Rats just Showing Up one day?
I apologize for getting off the subject but I'm Hoping this will allow me to have my chickies again!!
Almost forgot, what is ACP and does it take away any of the nutrients from fermenting?

Great, consise and to the point.pictures always help..I keep many sourdough starters as well as make my on vinegars...only natural to give some fermented foods to our flocks since fermented foods are good for us humans...and some of the ladies would like while others might not...thinking of sauerkraut

I'll be trying this. Thank you for explaining how. Love the pictures to go with the explanation.

Super helpful with the details and informative. Thanks!

Great article, clear and informative. Thanks for sharing.

Comprehensive, detailed article with great information!

Well written, concise, explained in a way everyone could understand and follow to start feeding in this manner. Gives reader options to handle feeding their flock in the best way they see fit.

Thank you so much for this! I just threw away 80lbs of chicken feed that I forgot about in the back of the truck and it got rained on and when I opened it to check it - it was fermented. Definite fruity smell. I wish I'd known it was ok to feed. Your article was a wonderful education. Aloha!

Thanks for the insight! This is the second time I've seen an article about fermenting feed. I can't wait to try it. Im doing a 4 day/bucket method where you start with the day 1 bucket, pour into day 2 bucket, etc. Until you get to day 4 when the fermentation is complete. The day 4 bucket also has holes drilled in the bottom for excess liquid to drain & be reused in the day 1 bucket to kick start the process!

Very informative and well written. Will be fermenting my own feed very soon, now.

Good to see others know this good idea too! I put feed in a sports drink bottle add water to wet it all and let it set in the sun for a few days, shaking it and making sure it’s still wet. The chickens, turkeys and ducks live it almost as much as worms!

A new thing to me. Thank you

What an interesting and informative article!!!
I have given my girls plain, natural yogurt and they seemed non-committal on the taste. Your article's advise has inspired me to take action and try my hand at fermented foods! They help my digestion and absorption in a big way.
The photos are very helpful - thank you for sharing those! I definitely would have panicked upon seeing the kham yeast in the bucket if you hadn't shown the photos!
Great job on this article, well done!!!

Interesting! My husband makes beer and gives the chickens the fermented grains. The chickens love it! Do they get the same benefit as the fermented chicken food?