Disadvantages to feeding fermented

[Folly's place]

I'd guess that if you drain off excess water you will be loosing some vitamins in that liquid. Counterproductive. And the whole thing is too much work for me, I'm into 'easy as possible'.
Mary

 

[Henny Penney]

I haven't seen much on chickens not doing well eating fermented feed. It came up in another thread. I'd like to hear what was observed (by anyone) without hijacking that thread.

the disadvantages I’ve read have more to do with the time etc. involved for people.

The disadvantage for me has been - my chickens won’t eat it! I’ve always read ALL chickens love it. Nope, not my little bantam pair. I’ve tried many ways of enticing them, but will likely give up, which is unfortunate, I know it’s good for them, and makes good organic feed more cost effective by being able to feed less.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Apart from the potential of ending up with the wrong bacteria in the ferment (a risk similar in kind to the risk of molds, mildews, and the like colonizing dry feed, even if different in character), it requires a minimal time commitment, some additional materials, some seasonal flexibility as fermentation rates increase/decrease with changes in the weather. This can be mitigated in part by adjusting starting conditions - the pH of the water, the use of starter cultures like live yogurt, kefir, etc - but the environment in which it is prepared and stored will always be a factor.

Mostly, fermented feed is disavantageous for the vast majority of feeders out there. Gravity fed designs are not intended for semi-liquid offerings.

Additionally, there are freezing concerns (more so for some than others - its not a issue for me (other than tonight - 25 degrees - and tomorrow, 28 projected with highs around high 30s, low 40s).

Finally, fermenting feed increase vitamin availability of some feed ingredients more than others. This may benefit you. Or not. The pH of the final feed will also adjust the bird's gut, with small influence on their susceptibility to various gut parasites and the digestibility of some nutrients whose absorption rate is pH related.