Tried fermented feed for my hens and they turned up their beaks at first

I spent a weekend fermenting a batch of layer feed with water and a bit of apple cider vinegar, thinking my girls would go crazy for it like everyone online says. Nope, they ignored it for two whole days while staring at me like I was crazy. After day three they finally ate it, but I honestly think they prefer the dry stuff straight from the bag. Has anyone else had their flock reject fermented feed at first?

2 comments

2 Comments

coleman.jade1mo ago

I heard from a local homesteader that some flocks need a gradual introduction, like mixing it with their regular feed at first instead of switching all at once. She said the smell can throw them off until they realize it's still just food. Your girls coming around after three days sounds pretty normal based on what she told me.

oliver5231mo ago

Nah, I call total BS on the gradual intro idea. Chickens are dumb birds, they'll eat anything after they get hungry enough. Three days of them holding out proves nothing except they're stubborn. My old flock took a full week to touch fermented feed and then they demolished it like it was the best thing ever. Maybe your batch was too watery or the vinegar was off.