Humans have been using fermentation to preserve foods for thousands of years. Evidence <\/span>suggests Neolithic people practiced fermentation <\/span>by making cheese more than 7,500 years ago.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Fermentation occurs when natural yeasts and cultures in the air are encouraged to grow and interact with a food source (in this case, chicken feed) under specific conditions. During fermentation, beneficial microorganisms such as <\/span>the Lactobacillus bulgaricus<\/i> bacteria break down sugars and starches and turn them into lactic acid. This promotes the development of healthy probiotics, changes the taste of the food, lowers the <\/span>pH and aids in preservation by killing off harmful microorganisms.<\/p>\n It also changes the food\u2019s nutritional profile for the better.<\/p>\n Read more: Your farm can feed your chickens a non-GMO diet.<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n You can encourage these good bacteria to grow by soaking chicken feed in water for several days. But you\u2019ve got roughly three dozen other chores to do. Why on earth would you want to take the time to do this? There are several good reasons why fermentation is worth the few extra minutes it will add to your chore list.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n When you soak grains, you soften them up and make it much easier for the chicken\u2019s body to digest all the available nutrients. That\u2019s common sense, right? But, if we peek under the surface, we see there\u2019s more to the story.<\/p>\n All grains, beans, seeds and legumes contain phytic acid, which impairs the absorption of some nutrients. In \u201cReduction of phytic acid and enhancement of bioavailable micronutrients in food grains\u201d<\/a> (Gupta RK et. al, Journal of Food Science and Technology, 2015<\/i>), researchers called phytic acid a \u201cfood inhibitor\u201d because it limits the bioavailability of nutrients.<\/span><\/p>\n If we remove the phytic acid in foods, we\u2019re free to absorb all the wonderful nutrients found in whole grains and seeds. And the fermentation process removes phytic acid. This means when your chickens eat fermented feed, their bodies can utilize the full range of protein, vitamins and minerals that chickens on dry feed can\u2019t.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Moreover, the fermentation process actually enhances the nutrition of the feed. It adds B vitamins that weren\u2019t in the feed before.<\/span><\/p>\n In “Fermented feed for laying hens: Effects on egg production, egg quality, plumage condition and composition and activity of the intestinal microflora”<\/a>\u00a0(Engberg et. al<\/span>, <\/span>British Poultry <\/a><\/i><\/span>Science<\/i><\/span><\/strong>, 2009), <\/span>researchers found that hens on fermented feed had a stronger immune system than the control group. The fermented feed increased acidification in the upper digestive tract, which helped form a natural barrier against acid-sensitive pathogens like E. coli, Salmonella and Campylobacter.<\/span><\/p>\n The process of fermentation also produces lactic acid, which helps promote the growth of healthy microbes c<\/span>alled probiotics. A robust immune system can help your chickens fend <\/span>off a variety of illnesses and diseases.<\/span><\/p>\n Chickens that eat fermented feed <\/span>produce less waste than chickens on dry feed. And the waste is drier than birds on a regular feed diet. For you, this could mean fewer coop cleanings throughout the year.<\/span><\/p>\n Fermenting feed for your flock may also result in better-quality eggs<\/a> and improved health outcomes long-term.<\/span><\/p>\n That aforementioned study in British Poultry Science<\/i> found that hens on fermented feed had heavier eggs with thicker shells. While this makes for a better breakfast, it also reduces losses from laying soft-shelled eggs<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Additionally, “The Foothills Farm Fermented Feed Study\u201d<\/a> in 2019, conducted by Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, found that hens on a fermented feed diet laid 9 percent more eggs than hens on a regular feed diet.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Fermenting chicken feed is simple, and it will only take a few minutes out of your day.<\/p>\n Your first step is to figure out how much your flock eats daily. Most full-sized adult birds eat around 1\/2 cup of dry feed per day. For example, a flock of 10 chickens will eat around 5 cups of dry feed per day. You\u2019ll cut this in half when calculating how much chicken feed to ferment for your flock.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Measure out 1\/4 cup of feed or grain mixture per bird, and place the seed in the jar or bucket you\u2019re using. Using our example, if you have 10 chickens, you\u2019ll need 2 1\/2 cups of dry chicken feed or grains to ferment.<\/p>\n Only measure out enough grain to feed your chickens for one or two days. Fermented feed spoils quickly once it\u2019s taken out of the soaking water.<\/span><\/p>\n Keep in mind that you can choose a variety of grains to ferment, or you can ferment just one grain at a time. You can also ferment crumble or pellet chicken feed. However, it will get quite mushy after a 3-day ferment. Your chickens will still love it, though!<\/p>\n Read more: You can ferment pig feed, too, to improve porcine gut health.<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Fill the jar or bucket with enough water to completely cover the feed, along with a few extra inches so the feed has room in the water to expand. You don\u2019t want to add too much water, though. While this won\u2019t hurt the fermentation process, too much water can make it harder to spot the bubbles that show healthy fermentation is taking place.<\/p>\n If you have chlorinated tap water, let it sit out, uncovered, for 24 hours so the chlorine can evaporate. Chlorinated water can inhibit the growth of beneficial bacteria, so you don\u2019t want to use it. You can also use filtered or distilled water.<\/p>\n Cover the jar or bucket with the loose cover of cheesecloth or the loose-fitting lid. The cover helps prevent unwanted bacteria or mold spores from getting into the ferment, yet allows the fermentation gases to escape.<\/p>\n Store the fermentation at room temperature, out of direct sunlight, and away from cold drafts. The optimal temperature range for fermentation is 75 to 85\u00b0F. So if your house is cool, keep the ferment in the warmest room.<\/p>\n Let the ferment sit for three days, stirring chicken feed from the bottom up at least three times per day. If the feed soaks up too much water, add enough back in so that the grains stay covered by at least 1 inch. Make sure the grain mixture is always submerged in water.<\/p>\n By the second day, you should start to see tiny bubbles in the jar. This is good news! It\u2019s a sign that active fermentation is occurring. The ferment should smell tangy and clean, like sourdough bread or yogurt. The liquid will also start to get a bit milky-looking.<\/p>\n On the third day (72 hours after starting your ferment), pour off the excess water. If you\u2019re about to start a new batch of ferment, however, save the water and use it to cover the fresh grains. It will speed up the fermentation of the next batch.<\/p>\n Feed the fermented grains to your flock immediately and refrigerate any unused feed for the next day.<\/p>\n Although it\u2019s easy to get started with fermented chicken feed, things don\u2019t always go as planned. Sometimes, due to temperature fluctuations or bacterial contamination, your ferment will fail and be unsuitable to feed to your chickens.<\/p>\n Healthy ferments should smell tangy and clean, like sourdough bread or plain yogurt. If the ferment starts to smell sulfurous, like rotten eggs, or acidic, like vomit, throw it out. An off odor is a sign that your ferment was exposed to too much oxygen or too much heat, or bacteria was introduced during the beginning of the ferment.<\/p>\n You also need to check for mold daily. Any signs of pink, black or fuzzy mold on the surface mean the entire batch needs to be thrown out.<\/p>\n If your ferment develops mold, it could be because the temperature was too cold (which slows the bacteria and prevents the fermentation from happening fast enough to stop mold from developing), there was not enough liquid in the jar or bucket, or the brewing container was contaminated.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Use these tips to save money on feed costs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While everyone can\u2019t do this, allowing your flock to free-range means they\u2019ll supplement their diet with bugs and grass instead of commercial feed.<\/p>\n <\/b>If you can\u2019t free-range your flock, provide forage in the run. Grass clippings, vegetable and fruit scraps, and pasture weeds will be a tasty addition for your birds and help reduce their feed intake.<\/p>\n Another option is to feed your flock<\/a><\/strong> less than perfect produce. Contact local farmers, or even talk to the produce manager at your grocery store, and ask if you can pick up damaged produce once a week. Just make sure the produce isn\u2019t moldy or rotten.<\/p>\n Start a garden to supplement your chickens\u2019 diet. Your flock will love feasting on fresh tomatoes and zucchini all summer long.<\/p>\n Feeding your flock free-choice can lead to a major rodent infestation. Limit feed only to what your flock will eat in a day, and employ a barn<\/a><\/strong> cat to control mice and rats.<\/span><\/p>\n
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\nThe Benefits of Fermented Chicken Feed for Your Flock<\/strong><\/h2>\n
How Fermented Feed Improves Nutrient Absorption<\/h5>\n
![\"chicken](\"https:\/\/img.hobbyfarms.com\/femented-feed-chickens-02.jpg\")
Fermented Chicken Feed Supports a Strong Immune System<\/h5>\n
Reduce Waste and Cleanup with Fermented Feed<\/h5>\n
Fermented Feed Boosts Egg Production and Quality<\/h5>\n
How to Ferment Chicken Feed at Home<\/h2>\n
\u00a0Materials Needed for Fermenting Chicken Feed<\/strong><\/h5>\n
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Step 1: Measure the Feed<\/strong><\/h5>\n
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\nStep 2: Soak the Feed in Water<\/h5>\n
Step 3: Allow Feed to Ferment<\/h5>\n
\u00a0Step 4: Feed Your Chickens the Fermented Feed<\/strong><\/h5>\n
![\"chicken](\"https:\/\/img.hobbyfarms.com\/AdobeStock_524778356.jpg\")
Troubleshooting Common Fermentation Issues<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Sniff Check Daily<\/b><\/h5>\n
Check for Mold<\/b><\/h5>\n
\nExtra Tips: Save Money and Supplement Your Flock<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Free-Range<\/b><\/span><\/h5>\n
Provide Forage<\/b><\/span><\/h5>\n
Ask Around<\/b><\/span><\/h5>\n
Grow Your Own<\/b><\/span><\/h5>\n
Control Rodents<\/b><\/span><\/h5>\n