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To ferment or not ferment chicken feed? Not necessary with Merry Natural.

written by

Marie Reedell

posted on

April 14, 2026

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If you're anything like many other backyard chicken keepers, you've probably stumbled down the fermented feed rabbit hole at some point.

You're scrolling through chicken forums at 10 PM (again), and everyone's talking about how they're soaking their feed for three days, stirring it twice daily, checking the pH, making sure it smells like sourdough and not like a science experiment gone wrong. It sounds amazing (healthier chickens, better eggs, happier hens). But also... exhausting.

You've got a full-time job. Kids. A garden that needs weeding. A coop that needs cleaning. And now you're supposed to add "fermentation project manager" to your resume?

We get it. You want to do right by your flock, but you don't want feeding your chickens to feel like a part-time job.

Here's the good news: With Merry Natural feed, you don't need to ferment.

Let us explain.

Why Do People Ferment Feed in the First Place?

Fermented feed has become wildly popular in the backyard chicken community, and for good reason. When you soak feed in water for a few days, beneficial bacteria (mostly lactobacillus) break down the grains, making them softer and easier to digest. The process also produces probiotics (those "good" bacteria that support gut health and immunity).

Here's what fermentation does:

Makes feed more digestible: Soaking breaks down phytic acid, an anti-nutrient that can interfere with mineral absorption. Your chickens get more nutrition from the same amount of feed.

Introduces probiotics: The lactic acid bacteria that develop during fermentation promote a healthy gut microbiome, which strengthens the immune system and helps ward off pathogens like E. coli and Salmonella.

Adds interest: Chickens enjoy the tangy, slightly sour flavor. It's enrichment, especially for hens stuck in a run without access to pasture.

Easier on digestion: The softened feed is gentler on the crop and gizzard, making it easier for chickens to process.

Sounds pretty great, right? And it is (if you're feeding conventional feed that's pelletized, heat-processed, and basically designed to sit in a bag for months without spoiling).

But here's the thing: Merry Natural feed is not conventional feed.

How Merry Natural Feed Is Different

Most commercial chicken feeds are formulated to be shelf-stable, easy to ship, and as affordable as possible. And that's about it. They're not designed with your chicken's digestive system in mind. That's why so many chicken keepers have turned to fermenting. They're trying to "fix" feed that was never optimized for digestion in the first place.

Merry Natural feed works differently. We formulated it to work with your chickens' natural digestive process, not against it.

Here's what makes it unique:

1. It's Designed to Ferment (Starting In Your Chicken's Crop)

Your chickens already have a built-in fermentation system. It's called the crop.

The crop is a specialized pouch in the chicken's throat that holds and moistens food. It's packed with beneficial bacteria (especially lactobacillus, enterococcus, and other lactic acid bacteria) that naturally ferment feed and produce short-chain fatty acids. These acids provide energy and support overall gut health.

When your chicken eats Merry Natural feed, here's what happens:

  1. The feed enters the crop, where it's moistened with saliva and water.
  2. Our whey coating rehydrates and "wakes up" the probiotics we've added to the feed.
  3. Fermentation begins, right there in the crop, exactly where nature intended.
  4. The beneficial bacteria get to work breaking down nutrients and producing those gut-healthy acids.

We're not asking you to ferment the feed in a bucket. We've designed the feed to ferment naturally in the bird, giving your chickens all the benefits of fermented feed without you lifting a finger.

2. Probiotics Are Already Included

Merry Natural feed contains the same strains of beneficial bacteria that would naturally develop if you fermented feed yourself: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Enterococcus faecium, Bacillus licheniformis, and Bacillus subtilis.

These probiotics are protected by a unique oil and whey coating during storage. When the feed hits the moist environment of the crop, the coating activates, the probiotics come to life, and fermentation kicks in.

You're getting the probiotic boost of fermented feed (without the three-day waiting period, the daily stirring, or the risk of accidentally growing mold instead of beneficial bacteria).

3. Whole, Digestible Ingredients (Ground Finer)

Unlike pelletized feeds that are heat-processed and compressed, Merry Natural feed is made with whole grains like oats, wheat, and barley. These ingredients are already more digestible than conventional feeds, so your chickens' systems don't have to work as hard to break them down.

We also grind our feed finer than most commercial feeds. This increases the surface area of each grain particle, making it easier for your chickens' digestive enzymes to access and break down the nutrients. Better breakdown means better absorption. And better absorption means healthier, more productive hens.

Add in alfalfa hay leaves, peas, fishmeal from wild-caught sardines, sesame meal, and raw liquid goat whey, and you've got a feed that's not just nutritious. It's designed to be easy on your chickens' digestive systems from the start.

4. Formulated to Support Natural Digestion

Here's where it gets a little nerdy (but we promise to keep it simple): We separate the oil from sesame seeds, then add just enough back to coat the feed. This does two things. First, it protects the nutrients and probiotics during storage. Second, it keeps PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids) in check. Lower PUFAs mean better omega ratios in your eggs.

Unlike many commercial feeds, we don't add any direct seed oils. That's a common industry practice to boost calories cheaply, but it can throw off the nutritional balance of your eggs. We skip it.

Then we add raw liquid goat whey at the very end of the mixing process. The whey dries around the outside of the feed, creating a protective layer that "comes to life" when it hits the moisture in your chicken's crop. It's like a time-release capsule for probiotics, designed to activate exactly when and where your chickens need it.

The result? A feed that supports fermentation in the bird, giving your flock all the digestive and immune benefits of fermented feed without you having to do the fermenting.

So... Is Fermenting Merry Natural Feed Necessary?

Nope.

Your chickens are already getting the benefits of fermented feed because the feed is designed to ferment naturally in their crop. You don't need to soak it, stir it, or worry about whether it's fermenting properly.

But Could You Still Ferment It If You Wanted To?

Sure!

Some chicken keepers ferment feed because their hens love the tangy taste and extra moisture, especially in hot weather or if they don't have access to pasture. If you want to ferment Merry Natural feed for enrichment or hydration, go for it.

The cool thing is, you're starting with probiotics already in the feed. So when you ferment Merry Natural feed, you're not just relying on wild bacteria from the air. You're supercharging it with the strains we've already added. It's like fermentation on easy mode.

But here's the truth: You don't have to. Your chickens are already getting everything they need from the feed as-is.

The Bottom Line

Fermenting feed is a great practice (if you're feeding conventional feed that wasn't designed with digestion in mind).

But Merry Natural feed? It's already doing the work for you. We've formulated it to activate in your chickens' crop, support natural fermentation, and deliver probiotics right where they're needed most.

So skip the jars, the stirring, and the three-day waiting period. Your chickens will be just as healthy. And you'll have more time to actually enjoy your flock.

That's the Merry Natural difference. Feed that works with your chickens, not against them. And a little less work for you.

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