Tried fermented feed for my hens and they got way too drunk somehow

So last month I read about fermenting chicken feed to boost probiotics and save on feed costs. Mixed up a batch of layer pellets with water and apple cider vinegar, let it sit for 3 days in a bucket. First morning I gave it to the girls they went completely nuts. Peggy started stumbling sideways, Bertha kept falling asleep standing up. I panicked thinking I poisoned them. Called my buddy who's been raising birds for 20 years and he laughed. Said the fermentation can go too long in warm weather and produce alcohol. These idiots were actually buzzed on fermented grain. Had to dump the whole bucket and start over with a shorter soak time. Anyone else accidentally get their flock tipsy?

2 comments

2 Comments

wells.brooke3d ago

Lmao that's hilarious. Beer chickens, who knew?

henry_webb684d ago

Nah, I've heard of this happening but never saw it firsthand. How long exactly did you let it sit before feeding it out? 3 days sounds about right for boozy feed in warm weather. I keep mine to 24 hours max in the summer and have never had issues, might be worth cutting your soak time down to 12-18 hours if your place stays hot.