Hops question

[jeria]

I have hops vines in my yard that need to be cut back every year. Are they OK to feed to the chicks? I am thinking of planting some next year as well as they will quickly climb the fencing and provide shade. I know I saw something about hops on a long long thread about treats during the summer.

 

[rjohns39]

Checkout this article. I have read somewhere that there's an issue with hops, but don't remember what it was and can't find it now. I do know that spent grains from brewing beer is fine as a treat and it does have hops in it.

 

[jeria]

Checkout this article. I have read somewhere that there's an issue with hops, but don't remember what it was and can't find it now. I do know that spent grains from brewing beer is fine as a treat and it does have hops in it.

The spent grains are often nutritional or brewer's yeast products. Thanks. I don't remember either where I saw something here about hops vines, I don't remember if they are good for chickens or not. MMMM They are definitely all plant based and non -alcoholic where fermented feed would have some alcohol from the fermenting involved, even making bread produces some alcohol gasses that are burned off in the baking.. These would be the vines and the hops berries. I used to make beer and haven't for several years and have these amazing vines. If I make it I drink it. LOL

 

[jeria]

There should be no danger. In fact, the ARS (Agricultural Research Service) reported back in 2008 that hops contain a substance that may help to control pathogenic bacteria in the intestines of chickens. More work is being done with the compound of interest to see if it would be a viable alternative to antibiotics in poultry products. I wouldn't go over board feeding hops, though -- you may end up with some interesting flavors in your eggs.

I found the answer on a previous thread from our Purina nutrition helper. This was in response to growing hops vines on the run fence. So I will cut them back slowly this fall and pop a few into their green goodies. They aren't laying yet so won't affect any eggs.