Fermenting chicken feed, Good idea?

[AllenK RGV]

Anything half rotten please leave to the chicken to decide. You can always throw that in the trash or the correct covered bin.

 

[Brenda Jones]

I ferment the feed for my girls. I serve it in a shallow feed dish or deeper dog food dish. They love it, but they don't need much of it as they are able to extract more nutrients from the food being fermented, plus they are allowed to forage throughout the day. I am now also starting to sprout greens for them as our winter will be in full swing soon and foraging will be impossible.

 

[SulkyBantam]

I have been looking for ways to lower our chicken feed bill and I came across the Idea of fermenting chicken feed. Does anyone use this method? Will chickens get drunk off of it? and is this a good idea?

I use it for my indoor bantams as they are TINY and their droppings smell a great deal less when I use it.

 

[Dephora]

I love fermenting, both for myself and for my chickens.

Others have given great advice about how to ferment feed. I like to use e-jen containers because I have so many and they work great.

Originally OP you asked if there was a risk of getting your chickens drunk. I am happy to report to you that many people only wish it was that simple and easy to make alcohol
The process in making lactofermented feed and the process of making yeast alcohol are not the same. You will never get alcohol from letting grain sit, thought I have seen ALOT of DIY fermenting blogs mention that letting it sit makes the alcohol content too high, that is simply not true. It sours it for sure and makes it so your chickens wont want it, but it will not produce alcohol.

To make alcohol you have alot of steps. But in general you need to release the sugar from the grain, or the yeast has nothing to eat to create alcohol. So unless you plan to grind your feed into a powder and soak it and then boil it and then add even more sugar. You have nothing to worry about.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I have been looking for ways to lower our chicken feed bill and I came across the Idea of fermenting chicken feed. Does anyone use this method? Will chickens get drunk off of it? and is this a good idea?

I did FF only for a flock of 82.. for 2+ years.. because of all they hype..

I saved NOT ONE dime.. and wasted a whole lot of time.

It was fun to try though. If saving money is your goal.. there are better ways in my experience.. Just going to the right store can save me more than $2 a bag. But I'm gonna include some FF links.. with lots of discussion including why it's a waste to me for your review instead of giving my spew again..

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fermenting-feed-and-protein-levels.1274554/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fermented-feed-is-it-really-a-superfood.1277016/

https://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.com/p/fermented-feed.html?m=1

https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajb/article/viewFile/60378/48610

Hope you find good information and have a good time along the way!

 

[Shadrach]

I've had a go. I feed a mash now.
I wrote this as a tongue in cheek account of my experience.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...o-fermented-facts-myths-and-experience.74414/

 

[Friendly_Lurker]

I have been looking for ways to lower our chicken feed bill and I came across the Idea of fermenting chicken feed. Does anyone use this method? Will chickens get drunk off of it? and is this a good idea?

 

[EveLa]

Can you explain why?

Can't you add whatever is needed for layer chicks ?

 

[alwaysthere4chickens]

I love fermenting, both for myself and for my chickens.

Others have given great advice about how to ferment feed. I like to use e-jen containers because I have so many and they work great.

Originally OP you asked if there was a risk of getting your chickens drunk. I am happy to report to you that many people only wish it was that simple and easy to make alcohol
The process in making lactofermented feed and the process of making yeast alcohol are not the same. You will never get alcohol from letting grain sit, thought I have seen ALOT of DIY fermenting blogs mention that letting it sit makes the alcohol content too high, that is simply not true. It sours it for sure and makes it so your chickens wont want it, but it will not produce alcohol.

To make alcohol you have alot of steps. But in general you need to release the sugar from the grain, or the yeast has nothing to eat to create alcohol. So unless you plan to grind your feed into a powder and soak it and then boil it and then add even more sugar. You have nothing to worry about.

That's good to know!

I did FF only for a flock of 82.. for 2+ years.. because of all they hype..

I saved NOT ONE dime.. and wasted a whole lot of time.

It was fun to try though. If saving money is your goal.. there are better ways in my experience.. Just going to the right store can save me more than $2 a bag. But I'm gonna include some FF links.. with lots of discussion including why it's a waste to me for your review instead of giving my spew again..

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fermenting-feed-and-protein-levels.1274554/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fermented-feed-is-it-really-a-superfood.1277016/

https://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.com/p/fermented-feed.html?m=1

https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajb/article/viewFile/60378/48610

Hope you find good information and have a good time along the way!

I might try fermenting in the summer because the mash is so hydrated, but now I'm experimenting with compost feeding and dry feed. I will also try fodder and sprouts during winter because of the lack of free range. My goals are healthy chickens and saving money but it is always fun to try new things!

Have you seen this video about fodder? You may have to skip to 7:25 or 11:30

Sorry if I changed the subject

 

[black_cat]

Started this this morning....I did NOT fill it up that high originally.......next pic is a line showing where it was full of food to begin with.