Fermented Chicken Feed
We’ve started experimenting with fermented chicken feed. The practice of preserving and enriching foods through fermentation has been a part of many culture’s relationship with food, and one we use in our own kitchen at home. So, it begs to ask, why not use the practice with our livestock feed?
Lacto-fermentation occurs naturally and it’s what makes sourdough, kimchi, and yogurt (to name a few) so damn good!
With this experimental batch of feed, we filled half this bucket with feed that got a little wet from the rain last week. Rather than let it go to waste, we added water to completely cover the mushy feed and let it set out to let it get bubbly over the last couple days. The feed nearly doubled in volume!
Since we don’t have a system in place for serving up fermented mash to the chickens, I just carried it out to them to see if they had interest, and they all joyously slurped up the gruel of unlocked nutrients and enzymes.
We have read that serving up fermenting chicken feed, flocks will eat anywhere between 30-50% LESS, saving money, and improving the bioavailability of what is in the grub in the first place. A win-win all around as far as we are concerned!
More experimentation ahead as we grow our flocks and improve our systems out here on the ranch. If you’d like some great reading recommendations for learning more about fermentation and chickens, check out the links below.
My favorite cookbook on fermentation, it is a regular resource in my home kitchen, whether I’m making wine, yogurt, sauerkraut, or bread. Wild Fermentation by Sandor Katz
A useful book about backyard chicken keeping (and explains also about fermenting chicken feed). The Beginner’s Guide to Raising Chickens
