Hi there, I'm hoping some of you who use spent grains, or are great researchers, can answer a few questions for me? I live in Portland, home of backyard chickens and microbrewering, a perfect combintaion for feeding spent grains.
I know the protein content is higher, carbs less, and supposedly the amino acid ratio is missing a key acid, so it's better as a supplement than main feeding. How much can I supplement with (a percentage of daily food would be helpful, I feed Nutrena starter/grower at 18% or Purina Flock Raiser at 20% and have oyster shell and baked crushed eggshells free choice).
How long does the spent grain last before it goes bad? I know it starts to smell bad, but I already think it smells kind of funny, so I'm not sure I'm the best judge.
I can freeze some of what I picked up, and give some to a chicken friend, but don't have room to freeze the whole 5 gallon bucket. I've heard that you can dry it out - how do you do that? It's raining here so I'll have to do it indoors. Do I spread it out on a tarp in the basement? Put some in a strainer in the kitchen sink?
The guy who gave it to me brews regularly and his neighbor just slaughtered his meaties so didn't need it. I asked him to keep me in mind as a regular, so I want to make sure I can use what I get if that happens. I know I can always compost the remainder...but would rather use it for the chickens and let them produce the compost...
Thanks so much! I'm learning so much about lots of things with my chickens, and have been trying to make this as much of a reuse/recycle venture as possible.
I know the protein content is higher, carbs less, and supposedly the amino acid ratio is missing a key acid, so it's better as a supplement than main feeding. How much can I supplement with (a percentage of daily food would be helpful, I feed Nutrena starter/grower at 18% or Purina Flock Raiser at 20% and have oyster shell and baked crushed eggshells free choice).
How long does the spent grain last before it goes bad? I know it starts to smell bad, but I already think it smells kind of funny, so I'm not sure I'm the best judge.

I can freeze some of what I picked up, and give some to a chicken friend, but don't have room to freeze the whole 5 gallon bucket. I've heard that you can dry it out - how do you do that? It's raining here so I'll have to do it indoors. Do I spread it out on a tarp in the basement? Put some in a strainer in the kitchen sink?
The guy who gave it to me brews regularly and his neighbor just slaughtered his meaties so didn't need it. I asked him to keep me in mind as a regular, so I want to make sure I can use what I get if that happens. I know I can always compost the remainder...but would rather use it for the chickens and let them produce the compost...

Thanks so much! I'm learning so much about lots of things with my chickens, and have been trying to make this as much of a reuse/recycle venture as possible.