Fermented feed for chickens

[Perris]

I just didn’t understand the set up.
Giving other feed and increasing the amount of feed makes the results of the research more difficult to interpret.

They didn't give *more* feed. See Table 1
Table 1. Ingredients and nutrient composition of the diets.

Items (%, unless otherwise indicated)	Control	Fermented feed
Ingredient
Corn (8.7% CP)	63.43	59.75
Soybean meal (47.9% CP)	26.50	24.00
Wheat bran	4.00	2.75
Limestone	1.20	1.15
Calcium hydrogen phosphate	1.30	1.30
D,L-Met (98%)	0.15	0.14
L-Lys (98%)	0.12	0.11
Sodium chloride	0.30	0.30
Fishmeal (64.5% CP)	2.00	2.00
Premix1	1.00	1.00
Lactic acid bacteria fermented feed	0.00	7.50
Total	100.00	100.00
Nutrient level2
ME (Mcal/kg)	2.85	2.86
CP	19.03	19.09
Calcium	0.92	0.93
Nonphytate phosphorus	0.41	0.40
Lys	0.97	0.98
Met	0.36	0.35

 

[BDutch]

They didn't give *more* feed.

So supplemented doesn’t always means extra? It can mean substituted too.

 

[Perris]

Here are some of the conclusions of the study, for convenience:

"Our results indicated that the addition of fermented feed to the diet significantly improved the cellular immunity of laying hen chicks... The fermented feed supplementation also enhanced the humoral immunity of laying hen chicks... we observed that dietary fermented feed supplementation improved the humoral immune status of laying hen chicks by increasing their serum levels of IgG, IgA, and IgM... In the present study, in addition to measuring the systemic humoral immune status, we determined the immune response capacity to a specific antigen, NDV. Newcastle disease is a highly contagious and widespread global disease in poultry that causes severe economic losses every year (Alexander, 2000). Our data show that fermented feed supplementation significantly increased the serum NDV antibody titer, which indicates that the birds fed fermented feed had a stronger immune response to NDV than did birds of the control group... In conclusion, our results indicate that fermented feed improves growth performance, immune function, and antioxidant capacity in laying hen chicks. The roles of fermented feed in modulating T-cell proliferation, Th1 and Th2 cytokine production, and antioxidation are associated with NF-κB activation."

For anyone whose birds are at risk of catching Newcastle Disease, at least, I'd say that's quite important.

 

[bravecoconut]

I ferment a half gallon jar of henhouse reserve, chia, hemp, and flax daily with sourdough starter for twenty birds. The starter adds a huge population of wild yeasts instantly instead of having to catch/collect them. My whole flock devours it. They have dry feed (20% flock maker) 24/7 but come running for this daily. They didn't slow their laying for winter at all (I do not supplement light) and all but two laid through their molt. They love eating it. That alone would be enough for me.

ETA While attempting to read the comments to this post, I couldn't believe the amount of bickering to the point I stopped reading. This is crazy to me how much adults are arguing. Do what works for you, in feeding your flock and everything in your life.

 

[FrostRanger]

I ferment a half gallon jar of henhouse reserve, chia, hemp, and flax daily with sourdough starter for twenty birds. The starter adds a huge population of wild yeasts instantly instead of having to catch/collect them. My whole flock devours it. They have dry feed (20% flock maker) 24/7 but come running for this daily. They didn't slow their laying for winter at all (I do not supplement light) and all but two laid through their molt. They love eating it. That alone would be enough for me.

ETA While attempting to read the comments to this post, I couldn't believe the amount of bickering to the point I stopped reading. This is crazy to me how much adults are arguing. Do what works for you, in feeding your flock and everything in your life.

Agreed, if you ferment, your birds will be fine
If you don't ferment, your birds will also be fine

Either way your birds will be fine so do what makes you and them happy.
Regardless of health benefits it's a fun way to add a healthy treat to their diet

 

[Perris]

ETA While attempting to read the comments to this post, I couldn't believe the amount of bickering to the point I stopped reading.

It isn't bickering. Some of it is clarification and elaboration and some of it is attempt to counter misinformation, as advised by the American Psychological Association here
https://www.apa.org/topics/journalism-facts/misinformation-recommendations