Learn how to ferment chicken feed for cheaper and healthier egg-laying hens. This feed is also great for meat chickens, geese, turkeys and even pigs. This simple four-step fermentation process will not only save you money on animal feed but will improve the health and quality of your livestock.
When we raise chickens in our backyards, whether they are for meat or to lay eggs, we want to make sure we do everything we can to keep them safe and help them do well.
Whether that means keeping them in a portable chicken tractor or having a coop with ample vegetation, we want to give our chickens a healthy life and, in return, have them produce a healthy product for us.
Fermenting chicken feed is a great way to ensure you’re feeding your chickens the healthiest food possible and to save money on your feed bill.
In its most basic form, fermentation is a biochemical process. This means that it breaks down complex organic compounds into simpler elements by using both biological and chemical processes.
Because lactic acid bacteria break down whole grains into something that chickens can digest better, we use lacto-fermentation to make chicken feed.
When you buy chicken feed from the store, it’s generally already ground down and pre-formulated. This costs you more because someone else is mixing and grinding, but it isn’t as healthy for the chickens as fermented whole grains.
Fermentation adds probiotics and other vitamins that enrich their feed, making it even healthier for the chickens, along with healthier eggs with stronger shells. (Source)
Fermented feed is becoming more and more popular among people who keep chickens as a supplement. But how much should you give your flock? This article will talk about the benefits of fermented feeds, how much you should feed each chicken, and how to get started with fermentation.
What is Fermented Feed and What Are the Benefits?
Fermented feed is chicken feed that has been soaked and allowed to ferment, creating probiotics The fermentation process breaks down components in the feed into a more digestible form and increases the nutrient profile through the probiotics created
Feeding fermented feeds provides several benefits:
- Improved digestion and gut health from probiotics
- Increased absorption of nutrients
- Natural boost to immune system
- Lower feed costs as chickens eat less dry feed
- Reduced waste since chickens tend to eat all of the fermented feed
The live probiotic cultures can also help suppress bad bacteria like salmonella. Overall, fermented feeds support the health and productivity of the flock.
How Much Fermented Feed Per Chicken?
How much fermented feed you give your flock will depend on their size. As a general rule,
Provide 1/2 cup of fermented feed per standard-sized chicken per day.
Let’s say you have 10 chickens. To feed them for one day, you would ferment 5 cups of dry feed.
Things to consider:
- Large fowl breeds may need slightly more
- Chickens that free range extensively may need less
- Adjust amounts based on how much is being consumed
- Provide fermented feed free-choice or divide into multiple small meals
Monitor to ensure all birds are getting enough but not leaving any to waste. The fermented feed should be completely consumed within 24 hours before it spoils.
Tips for Getting Started with Fermented Feeds
Fermenting chicken feed is relatively simple but does take some planning. Here are some tips:
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Use an air-tight container – A 5 gallon bucket with lid works well. This allows anaerobic fermentation.
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Use dry feed – The feed must be dry, not moist or moldy to start. A standard layer feed, organic grain blend, or scratch mix all work well.
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Soak 12-24 hours – Soak the feed in non-chlorinated water for 12-24 hours before setting out to ferment.
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Temperature matters – Ideal fermentation temperature is 70-90°F. In cooler weather, you may need a heating pad. In hot weather, use less water.
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Ferment 2-5 days – Allow the feed to ferment for 2-5 days. It will get bubbly and smell sour or yeasty when ready.
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Feed within 24-48 hours – Consume fermented feed within 24-48 hours before it over-ferments and goes bad. Feed any leftovers first the next day.
Start with small batches, see what your flock consumes, and adjust the amount you ferment as needed. Over time you’ll get a feel for how much they need.
Is Fermented Feed Right for Your Flock?
While fermented feed has many benefits, it may not be ideal for every flock situation. It does require more frequent management than dry feeding. Make sure you have a routine that allows you to ferment and feed out the appropriate amount each day.
Free-ranging birds that get most of their diet from foraging may not benefit as much either. But for most backyard flocks, feeding some fermented feed can be an excellent supplement to support their health and productivity.
If you want to enhance digestion, reduce feed costs, and increase the nutrition in your chickens’ diet, giving fermented feeds is worth considering! Start with the guideline of 1/2 cup per standard chicken per day and adjust amounts as needed. Your flock will benefit from the natural probiotics.
What Grains to Use?
The beauty of chickens is they’re not picky about what they consume. You can use any grains you have access to. It’s our opinion that choosing a variety of grains is good for diversity and nutrition.
Nature doesn’t do monocultures and animals don’t typically eat one kind of food.
Common grains to choose from are:
- Oats – Oats usually contain 11-14% crude protein. Some of the newer varieties that produce a lot of fruit will have 10% or less protein.
- Wheat is higher in protein than most common feed grains, containing between 14 and 18% of the daily recommended value.
- Corn* – Corn has about 10% protein content. Because it’s hard to find non-GMO organic corn where we live, we don’t use corn very often in our chicken feed. Corn can be a great supplement if you can get it from a good source.
- Barley – This has about 13.5% protein content.
- Peas—These are the best source of protein. Peas have between 20% and 29% protein, with field peas having the most.
How to Ferment Chicken Feed
Fermenting chicken feed is a simple process that takes about three to five days, depending on your climate. We used to stop fermenting in the winter months because our weather is just too cold, but we’ve since learned some tips and tricks that we’ll share below so you can continue fermenting in a non-temperature controlled environment.
How to FERMENT Chicken Feed & SAVE ON FEED COSTS
FAQ
What are the disadvantages of fermenting chicken feed?
Fermented Chicken Feed Cons: Adding water to feed makes it a great place for mold to grow because the pH doesn’t drop enough. A sneaky group of toxins that can be made is even more dangerous than mold: mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are green and don’t smell bad.
What is the ratio of fermented feed?
Fermented liquid feed is feed that has been mixed with water at a ratio ranging from 1:1. 5 to 1:4. When lactic acid bacteria and yeasts that are already in the feed are mixed with water, they multiply and make lactic acid, acetic acid, and ethanol, which lowers the pH of the mixture.
How much fermented food is recommended per day?
Optimum range: Many nutritionists recommend aiming for about 1/2 cup total fermented foods daily from various sources.Jun 6, 2025
Does fermenting chicken feed really save money?
Secondly, fermented feed contains more probiotics, vitamins, and good bacteria than regular feed. It is identical to the benefits of fermented foods and yogurts with live cultures. Not only do you save money, but you are actually able to benefit your animals nutritionally.