Transplanting Yeast Cake

[Danbcha]

I made two batches of apple cider, with identical ingredients, about 4 days apart (maybe up to 7). The first batch (as has all others before) began fermenting wishing 24 hours and is nearly complete now. The second batch has been made almost a week and had ZERO activity. I'm wondering if the yeast was just a bad batch or something. hydrated them the exact same way and everything.

So, the question is, can I take a 1/4 of my yeast cake from batch one, and just toss it in the carboy with batch 2? Should I wash it first or anything?

 

[Raenon]

When you say zero activity, have you actually checked gravity?
I started 40 gallons of Apple wine not long ago, in 3x 15 gallon drums.
One took off and went nuts with krausen. The other two- looked completely still.
Now they're all continually fizzing, like seltzer water.
I almost added more yeast, but Im glad I didn't.

 

[Danbcha]

Batch 1 has a nice film of goodness on top. Batch two has no pressure activity and no film. Really weird. I haven't checked gravity