Fermented Chicken Feed (How to Ferment)

Fermented feed is soaked in water until natural bacteria start to ferment it. Many backyard keepers find their hens waste less and eat less dry feed.

You only need feed, water, a jar and three days.

Why your flock will love this

• Less wasted feed
• Hens love the wet texture
• Only needs feed and water

Ingredient notes

• Layer feed, crumble or pellet Safe

  Complete feed for laying hens. Should be 90% of the diet.

• Dechlorinated water

  Let tap water sit 24 hours.

See every ingredient in the safety guide

How to make Fermented Chicken Feed

Fermented Chicken Feed takes about 72 hours 5 minutes from start to finish and makes 8 cups. It is an easy recipe. You will need a food-safe bucket. Read through every step once before you start, and set out all the ingredients so nothing is missed.

Ingredients and why they are here

You need 2 ingredients. Each one is checked against the ingredient safety guide for chickens.

• 4 cups layer feed, crumble or pellet: Complete feed for laying hens. Should be 90% of the diet.
• 6 cups dechlorinated water: Let tap water sit 24 hours.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Put the feed in a large glass jar or food-safe bucket.
2. Cover with water by about 2 inches and stir.
3. Cover loosely with a cloth and leave at room temperature.
4. Stir once a day for 3 days, topping up water as the feed absorbs it.
5. Scoop out the day’s portion, straining off extra water.

Tips for success

• A pleasant sour smell is normal. Throw it out if it smells rotten or grows fuzzy mold.
• Keep a little old ferment to start the next batch faster.
• Serve in a shallow dish and clean the dish daily.

How to store it

Let everything cool completely before you pack it away, since trapped steam causes sogginess and mold. Keep it at room temperature for up to 3 days. Keep fermenting at room temperature; feed within a day of scooping. If anything smells off or shows mold, throw it out.

How much to serve

About 1/2 cup of fermented feed per hen per day, replacing some dry feed.

Why chickens love it

Less wasted feed. Hens love the wet texture. Only needs feed and water.

Feeding tips for chickens

Treats should make up no more than about 10 percent of what your flock eats, with a complete layer feed as the base. Offer treats in the afternoon so hens fill up on feed first. Provide grit and oyster shell free choice, and always keep clean water available. Remove leftover fresh food before evening to avoid attracting rodents.

Make it ahead

To save time, measure and prep the ingredients the day before and keep them covered in the fridge. Label containers with the recipe name and date so you always know what to use first. Most of the work in this recipe is hands-off, so it fits easily around a busy week.

What to watch for

A drop in egg laying often means too many treats and not enough layer feed. Watch for pasty vents in chicks and soft-shelled eggs in hens, which can point to diet problems. Isolate any hen that looks lethargic or stops eating, and call a vet who treats poultry.

Shopping list

Before you start, check that you have layer feed and dechlorinated water. Most of it is at the grocery store; hay, pellets, feed and supplements are at pet or feed stores. Buy fresh produce close to the day you cook.

Safety notes

Never add onion, garlic, chocolate, grapes, raisins, xylitol or salt, and check the safety guide before trying a new ingredient with your hen. This recipe is general information, not veterinary advice.

Frequently asked questions

Is fermented feed good for chickens?

Many keepers report less waste and good appetites. It is not required.

Can I ferment scratch?

Yes, but layer feed should be the base.