Spent grain

[ChickenHawk12]

We got a bucket of spent grain from a local brewery today, and I thought I'd ask of those more knowledgeable than I - how much of their diet is it ok for the spent grains to make up? Can I feed it to them for the next 3 days or so until the bucket is gone, or should it only be more of an afternoon treat?

Btw the grain was super-fresh, still so hot when we picked it up that I had to spread it out in the bowl and let it cool before I gave it to the hens

 

[JaeG]

Nutrition wise I can't advise you but we were given some by a neighbor who makes their own beer and our girls loved it. It freezes up just fine if you want to keep it longer.

 

[Ravynscroft]

If I remember correctly, spent grain has very little nutritional value... maybe 20% of their diet daily??? They love it, yes, but I believe it should be given more like a treat than as actual feed...

I could be wrong though...

 

[GC-Raptor]

I would treat it as scratch grains and toss on the ground as a treat, what they consume in 10 minutes, once or twice a day. GC

 

[junebuggena]

I use it as scratch. I feed a high protein diet, so I can get away with feeding lower protein foods on a more regular basis.

 

[ChickenHawk12]

Ok, thanks everyone! I feed 18-20% protein plus grubs a few times a week, and other than grubs and the occasional veggie scraps, they don't get treats. I will use it as scratch/treats and leave their feeder full of regular food. They really seem to like the beer grains!

 

[FiddleChics]

I just got some spent grain as well... a friend of mine supplements it for her quail. I tasted it myself and it's apparently edible to the point where I searched nutrition facts and found this list of stats from MyFitnessPal.com... for people. I screen captured the info below. I think it's a nice idea to add - as a few of you've mentioned - as scratch. Free, somewhat nutritious and they seem to enjoy it!