How do you ferment chicken feed? Is it worth it?

[Perris]

One thing that just came to mind: even if the chickens aren't really getting many benefits, would it still fill them up faster, therefore cutting the feed bill down?

If you have water for lunch, would that fill you up?
You are just adding water to processed feed.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Only true ways to cut feed costs is to reduce flock size, and/or provide ample, varied forage or access to quality waste scraps and have them free range all day, every day.

The main cost savings with FF is reducing waste. I get next to no wasted feed with fermented feed vs dry feed, where chickens don't eat fines or other powdery leftover bits (I ferment a whole grain mash plus offer dry pellets as well). I don't have an issue with birds NOT eating their FF - but obviously if I put out too much or they weren't eating it, then I would have a waste issue. And no, the addition of water to feed doesn't reduce what they eat (but it can swell up the appearance of the feed).

It really isn't any extra work IMO. Filling up a jar with water and feed takes what, 30 seconds? Filling up the gravity feeder with dry feed takes me about the same time. But no, you can't just leave it out for weeks to feed the birds, it is a daily or twice daily thing.

Mold may or may not be an issue depending on temperature and climate. I haven't had a moldy batch in 2 years but yes I've had to toss out moldy batches before.