Any homebrewers on here? If so, is it safe to feed homebrew sediment?

[Criskin]

I've recently taken up home brewing. After my primary fermentation I move the beer from a glass carboy into a bucket for prep before bottling it. The process leaves a layer of sediment containing heavy fats, proteins and inactive yeast. I thought about feeding this mix to the chickens since it is supposed to be nutritious for people (isn't that basically what Vegemite is?). Then I started to worry that it might still contain traces of alcohol. Last time I just dumped it out to be on the safe side but I wanted to check to see what others thought before I pour out a potential chicken snack.

 

[Hillsvale]

I brew wine but I wouldn't feed the dregs to the birds... there may still be some active yeast... its great for the compost heap though!!

 

[catdaddy66]

I brew beer and have never heard of any trub getting into the chicks' diets. Seems reasonably safe but unknown effect on the birds. It is supremely compostable, though! By the way, how did your last batch turn out? Mine was a great stout.

 

[Criskin]

I think I'll go ahead and just put it to use in my garden...I hadn't thought of that. My last batch turned out great! It was a Canadian ale. I'm doing a stout next and I can't wait! I never thought that brewing my own beer would be so much fun. The whole process fascinates me.

 

[Whatshisface]

Hi Criskim, I am also home brewer of Ales and have been for years. Just a reminder, the inactive yeast at the bottom of your carboy is a natural laxative, so I would be reluctant to give that to any of my animals. On the other hand, since I brew from all grain recipes, I have tried to give my chickens the spent barley from the Mash Tun. That is when I found out how soiled my birds are, they wouldn’t touch it. So now I throw the grains in the garden. I wish I knew someone who raised pigs around here because we are talking about approximately 13 lbs of grain going to waist every time I brew.

 

[HEChicken]

Quote:
That IS disappointing. I have been brewing for a year but have used kits so far and was considering making my next back a full grain brew just so I *could* give the grains to the chooks. But if they're not going to be interested, maybe I'll rethink that....

 

[Echos_dad]

Chrystal malt strained from the wort should be okay if they'd eat it with the hoppy taste. Maybe I'll try it next time.

 

[Criskin]

Quote:
I think I'll try this...I forgot about straining the wort right out of the stock pot. That way it won't contain either alcohol or yeast.

 

[jnine]

We pour the sediment into the compost heap, but if we use grains (boiled and the liquid strained off), the hens love eating them afterward!

There is no yeast at this stage and we haven't had any hassles.

 

[Ms.FuzzyButts]

Quote:
Ours eat the grains too! Haven't seen drunk chickens yet..