Fermented feeds-need all the basics

[Abriana]

I read that fermented feeds waste less and are healthier for chickens. Can anyone give me a quick run down on-
Do you buy it or buy regular feed and make it?
How do you make it?
How do you feed it?
What are the health benefits?
How much feed does it help prevent wasted?
Can ducks have it too? (I'm planning on getting ducks and am keeping them in the same pen with my chickens)
If you have any other answers to things i haven't asked here, please post!

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[JaeG]

Best article ever on Fermented food is here:
https://tikktok.wordpress.com/2014/04/13/fermented-feed-faq/

It definitely helps prevent waste as they cannot kick or flick it out like they do with dried food. My quail love it so I'm sure it's fine for ducks. I give mine in bowls for the bantams, larger trays for the big girls. They need less food overall as they are able to get more nutrition from the food (fermenting it uses up the phytic acid that preserves grains, seeds and nuts making the vitamins, minerals etc more available).

 

[barred2rock]

You just add water (I do a one to one ratio, a little more water in the warmer months) to your dry feed and let it sit for roughly three days. It should have a sour smell similar sourdough bread, not a moldy smell. The chickens love it.

 

[Abriana]

Thank you so much! Could it grow bad bacteria too though? I mean, sitting in the water like that for three days? Anyone have this problem? Otherwise, this seems like a great solution.

 

[JaeG]

If it smells yeasty or of alcohol don't use it but I've never had that happen. It should smell pleasantly sour. Once you've got a good thing going it should keep going. If you leave it without using it or adding new food it can become too sour for your birds liking. In my bucket I have a quarter more than I need. I feed out 3/4 of it, mix in enough new food with warm water and it's ready by the next day.

 

[Abriana]

I think I would like to try it, thank you for your help! I will let you know how it goes!