Ferment chicken feed to boost nutrition and cut waste 20-30%

Soaking commercial feed in water for 24-72 hours triggers lacto-fermentation, making nutrients more bioavailable and increasing the feed's volume. Hens eat less because they absorb more from each bite.

Steps

1. Fill a food-grade bucket 1/3 full with layer feed. Any commercial feed works — pellets, crumble, or whole grain.
2. Cover with water until 2 inches above the feed line. Stir once.
3. Cover loosely with a lid or cloth and let sit 24-72 hours at room temperature. Stir daily. You will see bubbles and a mildly sour smell (like yogurt) — this is correct.
4. Serve wet using a trough or shallow dish. Offer only what the flock eats in 30 minutes to prevent spoilage in hot weather.
5. Keep a rolling batch: When the bucket gets low, add more dry feed and water on top. The existing culture inoculates the new batch.

Why It Works

Fermentation breaks down phytic acid (an anti-nutrient that blocks mineral absorption), increases B vitamins, and creates beneficial lactobacillus bacteria. Studies show fermented feed improves eggshell thickness and yolk color while reducing feed consumption 20-30%.

Tips

• The smell should be sour like sourdough, not rotten — if it smells putrid, discard and start over
• Do not use apple cider vinegar in the water; it kills the beneficial bacteria
• Works year-round but ferments faster in summer (24 hrs) than winter (48-72 hrs)