Fermenting Chicken Feed: What's the Scoop?
Fermenting chicken feed has been a hot topic for a few years now. I get asked about it a lot, so let’s dive into what fermentation is and the pros and cons.
What is Fermented Chicken Feed?
First, I think there is often confusion on what it actually means to ferment. The definition of fermentation is a chemical process by which molecules are broken down anaerobically. This process usually changes the pH of a substance and is often used to preserve food or convert sugars to alcohol. I have always felt like “fermenting” was a bit of a misnomer in context and, in many cases, people are simply just soaking feed.
Pros & Cons of Fermenting Chicken Feed
Fermented Chicken Feed Pros:
- If fermentation is conducted correctly and the pH of the finished product is properly reduced, there is evidence that chickens can gain more weight¹ when fed a fermented chicken feed. Proper feed fermentation can also result in the growth of beneficial bacteria and reduces the pH in the gut, which can help fight the negative effects of bad bacteria.
- It also appears that properly fermenting feeds does decrease the amount of phytate-bound phosphorus by nearly 30%². Releasing bound phosphorus is important for bone development and really important for the environment.
Fermented Chicken Feed Cons:
- There are definite risks to fermenting feed, and I believe it is very important to consider if the reward outweighs the potential risk. The primary risk to adding water to any feed is mold growth. This is why technique is so important. Without a proper drop in pH, adding water to feed makes it a prime environment for mold growth. More dangerous than mold is a sneaky group of toxins that can be produced – mycotoxins! Mycotoxins are invisible and have no smell. Even if you do not see mold, that doesn’t mean that mycotoxins aren’t already being produced. Keeping your feed dry and stored in a cool environment is the best way to prevent mold and mycotoxins.
- There is a common acceptance that fermenting feed can significantly reduce the amount of feed that is needed. However, the benefits of fermentation are heavily dependent on proper technique. Proper technique requires achieving correct levels of lactic and acetic acid, resulting in a pH of 4.5. If you are simply soaking your feed, the risks of using wet feed outweigh any potential benefit.
- Research has shown that broiler chickens fed a feed that is simply soaked in water had lower feed intake and lower body weights compared to broilers fed a dry feed¹.
How do you ferment chicken feed…safely?
Let’s cover the most important principles of safely fermenting chicken feed. A blog article alone isn’t enough information to get started safely or effectively, which leads to the most important tip:
- Education: Learn how to do this from experts; look for books or articles from professional poultry experts. Extensive research on the process and proper technique is highly recommended because the stakes are the health of your chickens at worst and wasting time at the least.
- Be precise: Follow the instructions carefully and give yourself plenty of time. The technique keeps your fermented chicken feed safe and influences its nutritional qualities. Learn the science behind why you’re doing what you’re doing so that you can make informed decisions when faced with the variables of everyday life and chicken mischief. Make sure your effort yields the results you want.
- Clean, clean, clean: Keep everything clean and sanitized. Remember that mycotoxins are invisible and can be odorless!
- Use the fermented feed to supplement your chicken's regular diet rather than replacing the majority of their feed. (Think about how you’d feel if you suddenly started eating fermented foods 24/7, ooof.)
- Remove any uneaten fermented chicken feed after serving your chickens to prevent spoilage.
- Continue to provide a variety of food for your chickens, not only fermented feed. This includes regular dry feed, greens, grubs, mealworms with oyster shells, etc. Not only is variety important nutritionally, but it’s also fun for your chickens.
How To Store Fermented Chicken Feed
Instructions online differ on refrigeration, but typically, you should store your fermented chicken feed for three days or so in a cool, dry, dark place, similar to instructions for any fermented food. While some mycotoxins might be odorless, if you notice a change in smell or color in your fermented chicken feed, consider tossing it. Foul odors or a shift to a milky color likely indicate spoilage of some kind.
In conclusion, there are some benefits to fermenting feed. However, it is extremely important to consider the risk vs. the reward. The benefits of fermenting feed are heavily dependent on proper technique. Mold and mycotoxin growth in feeds can be very dangerous. There are also some nutrients, primarily vitamins, that are susceptible to degradation with moisture and heat. If you aren’t using proper technique, you could be doing more harm than good.
References
- Chen, K.L., W.L. Kho, S.H. You, R.H. Yeh, S.W. Tang, and C.W. Hsieh. 2009. Effects of Bacillus subtilis var. natto and Saccharomyces cerevisiae mixed fermented feed on the enhanced growth performance of broilers. Poult. Sci. 88:309-315.
- Engberg, R.M., M. Hommershoj, M.S. Abousekken, S. Steenfeldt, and B.B. Jensen. 2009. Fermented feed for laying hens: effects on egg production, egg quality, plumage condition and composition and activity of the intestinal microflora. Br. Poult. Sci. 50:228-239.
