Why ferment feed?

[Cooba]

What is the point of fermenting feed? The pros and cons? The WHY'S. New at this......not criticizing !

 

[azygous]

The chickens like it.
It produces natural probiotics.
It releases additional nutrients not readily available in dry feed.
It eliminates waste all together, reducing your feed bill.

 

[Cooba]

The chickens like it.
It produces natural probiotics.
It releases additional nutrients not readily available in dry feed.
It eliminates waste all together, reducing your feed bill.

Should their entire days feed be this? Or some dry also?

 

[SueT]

Supposedly fermenting develops beneficial bacteria. My chickens like fermented feed !much more than their dry crumbles. I ferment it overnight, and give it in the morning, saving a bit for tomorrow's batch. Overnight it develops a pleasant aroma. If I let it sit too long, I think it gets too sharp, and they don't like it so much, tho other people do ferment it much longer.

 

[SueT]

Should their entire days feed be this? Or some dry also?

I offer both. They finish off the fermented, and then eat the dry.

 

[Cooba]

I offer both. They finish off the fermented, and then eat the dry.

Great...ok

 

[Cooba]

The chickens like it.
It produces natural probiotics.
It releases additional nutrients not readily available in dry feed.
It eliminates waste all together, reducing your feed bill.

Thxs

 

[SueT]

You can try a small batch and see how they like it. When starting new, add a splash of raw apple cider vinegar to the moistened feed. That helps get the process going. I like to make it not too wet, but on the dry side, it's easier to clean the bowls at end of day. Cleaning bowls is the main disadvantage for me. I use big dog bowls. The ones with dry feed don't need washing. I set out 4 bowls for a flock of 7, spread around so everyone gets a chance to eat.

 

[Cooba]

You can try a small batch and see how they like it. When starting new, add a splash of raw apple cider vinegar to the moistened feed. That helps get the process going. I like to make it not too wet, but on the dry side, it's easier to clean the bowls at end of day.

Ok

 

[Folly's place]

The biggest downside for me would be the time it takes, not so much the 'add water' part, but the daily bowl cleaning. My birds have to manage somehow on fresh crumble in their feeders, and some extras outside.
I'm not interested in having any issues wilth mold, for example, if things aren't 'spiffy' enough.
Mary
PS: Is there actual research about fermenting their feed and improved nutrition? I've never looked for it myself.