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Fermenting chicken feed is an easy and much healthier for your flock. The fermented whole grains provide good gut health, requires less feed per serving, and is a way to extend the nutrients of the grains. Not to mention, fermented grains can also be fed to water fowl, guineas, turkeys, and quail. When organic chicken feed is fermented, especially whole grains, there is no healthier option to offer.
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A Quick Rundown on Fermentation
What makes fermentation awesome for poultry? In a nutshell when fermented feed is consumed it provides natural probiotics to the body, packed full of good bacteria and yeast. Lacto-fermentated foods and feed is able to be consumed by all living creatures; including dogs, cats, and even ruminants.
Livestock feed ferments when allowed to soak in water for an period of time, typically within three days. Temperature plays an important factor on how quickly, and safely, food ferments. Fermentation occurs between the range of 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything over can cause the item to spoil, whereas anything under can cause the item to not ferment and spoil.
Fermenting feed can be done any time of year. During winter months, a secondary heat source may be needed for homes which maintain a steady temperature below 70 degrees Fahrenheit. LED Christmas lights or a heat pad for starting seeds are excellent options for providing heat without overheating the fermenting vessel.
Lactic acid bacteria begins forming on the second day of the fermentation process. The beneficial bacteria consumes the sugars found in the grain and begins to multiply. The lactic acid makes the environment unsuitable for bad bacteria to thrive. What remains in fermented chicken feed are beneficial microbes.
The Benefits of Fermented Chicken Feed
Feeding fermented feed daily to poultry, fowl, or water fowl is an excellent way to provide a natural probiotic option to your flock. Unlike natural options, a synthetic probiotic should not be offered daily.
By providing fermented feed to chickens and other poultry healthy, good things can happen:
Increase in egg weight, providing thicker shells
Boost in intestinal health, forming a natural barrier to pathogens such as E. coli and Salmonella
Lower feed consumption, digesting and absorbing fermented feed more effectively
Providing and preserving vitamins and minerals found in fermented whole grains; B vitamins such as folic acid, riboflavin, thiamin, and niacin.
Humane husbandry allows individuals to want more for the animals in their care. Something as simple as fermenting chicken feed leads to an overall better egg and a healthier hen. This is a win for both the chicken keeper and the flock.
Two Additional Benefits of Fermented Chicken Feed
If the above information has not convinced you to begin fermenting the feed, what will?
Fermented feed will fill birds more so than a dry pellet or crumble will, especially when feeding whole grains. With the decrease of feed comes a decrease in the overall feed bill.
By consuming fermented feed allows the chicken to absorb most of the feed. Keep in mind, the more feed absorbed the less the chicken poops. Another win!
In addition to what has been mentioned, an organic chicken feed which is locally resourced from family farms is indeed the best option of feed available.
Steps for Fermenting Chicken Feed
Are you ready? Let’s begin!
Ingredients
The following steps to fermenting chicken feed is extremely easy. Prior to beginning the process gather the necessary material.
Fermenting Vessels – For larger flocks 3 food grade buckets (2 or 5 gallon) work best. For smaller urban flocks, 3 Mason glass jar can be used. This allows for multiple batches of fermented grains to be in progress at all times.
Whole Grain Feed – Whole grain feed is an overall healthier option when it comes to fermenting or feeding dry, and my preferred is Scratch and Peck Feeds.
Feed Container – Chicken feeder troughs are the best option for fermented feeds. In addition to the needed supplies select the best location to store fermenting vessels.
It is important to store fermenting vessels away from direct sunlight and spots which are drafty. This ensures the fermenting temperature does not fluctuate up and down, but instead remains consistent.
Instructions
A chicken will consume around 1/4 of a cup of feed per day. With that said, chickens will consume less than that amount daily once the feed is fermented. Also keep in mind, chickens will consume feed all day if offered.
Begin by fermenting 1/4 cup per bird. Discard any fermented feed at the end of the day, and reduce amount by 1/4 cup.
Do not allow a fermented chicken feed to go past 3 days. The ferment can become too sour, turning unappealing for many poultry.
By day three fermented chicken feed will take on a yeasty, slightly sour scent. Again, no mold should be present in the fermenting vessel.
Printable Recipe – Fermented Chicken Feed
A printable recipe card is available for your convenience!
Print Recipe3.25 from 4 votes
Fermented Chicken Feed
Fermented chicken feed is easy to make for your flock. The whole grains used provide a natural probiotic option with beneficial good bacteria. Not to mention, fermented feed provides a filling healthy diet and is an overall better feed option.
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time3 d
Total Time3 d 5 mins
Course: Poultry Keeping
Cuisine: Livestock Feed
Keyword: fermented chicken feed
Equipment
2 gallon food grade bucket
Wooden Spoon
Ingredients
1/4 cup Whole Grain Feed, per chicken
Water
Instructions
DAY ONE
In the fermenting vessel add appropriate amount whole grain feed.
Add water, making sure feed is completely submerged by 3 inches.
Gently mix the feed with water taking, making sure to mix the bottom of the fermenting vessel.
Add more water if necessary, keeping grains cover by 3 inches of water at all times.
Though not necessary, fermenting vessels can be covered using breathable cotton dishtowels. A coffee filter can be used as a cover when mason jars are used. Fermenting covers can be secured to the vessel with twine or large rubber bands.
DAY TWO
Using a second fermenting vessel, repeat steps from Day One
DAY THREE
Using a third fermenting vessel, repeat steps from Day One
FEEDING
On day 4 feed from Day One’s fermenting vessel.
Begin another ferment following instructions from Day One.
REPEAT
The next day, feed using Day Two’s vessel. Start a new ferment.
Continue to process each day.
Notes Upon the completion of the fermentation process the grains will have a yeasty, lightly sour smell resembling sourdough bread. This scent indicates the grains are ready to be fed to the flock. Do not provide feed which contains mold. Mold is fuzzy and can appear black, white, even pink. At times scum may appear floating on top of the liquid. Scum should not be confuse with mold. Unlike mold, scum is not fuzzy in appearance but is off white or cream in color. Scum can be removed using a rubber spatula and discarded. Discard any remaining feed at the end of the day. Remaining feed indicates that to much fermented feed is being offered. Decrease the amount of grains being fermented by 1/4 cup until no fermented feed is present at the end of the day.
Keep in mind, organic chicken feed in the form of whole grains can be consumed dry, soaked, or fermented. However, fermented the whole is truly the most beneficial way to feed poultry.
Other Poultry Articles:
Selecting the Best Chicken Breeds for Children
A Respiratory Condition called Mycoplasma Gallisepticum
Raising Turkeys on the Homestead
Setting up a Chick Brooder -Bedding, Feed, and Heat Source
Raising Ducklings – Brooder, Feed, and Heat Source
Raising Ducks for Eggs | Top 13 Duck Breeds
How to Make your Own Chicken Feed
Prevent Coccidiosis in a Chick Brooder
Not Quite Ready to Provide a Fermented Grains Feed?
The process of fermenting is often intimidating, especially for newbies. Soaking whole grains for 24 hours is also known to be beneficial and a healthier way to feed.
Soaked grains plump-up, allowing for poultry to become fuller on a smaller amount of feed and aids in hydration.
Improves the digestibility in consuming whole grains by reducing the phytic acid and enzyme inhibitors found in grains.
The process of soaking feed for 24 hours is beneficial using whole grains. Pellet feed simply turns to mush, containing no beneficial healthy qualities.
Still not convinced? A good whole grain layer feed, such as Scratch and Peck Feeds, can be fed raw, and a healthier option to providing pellet feed.
Additionally, an organic chicken feed which is local resourced is as good as poultry feed comes.
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