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Innovating Poultry Nutrition: Brewers’ Spent Grain as a Feed Ingredient

Since 1980, chicken consumption in the United States has seen substantial growth, having doubled and surpassing beef intake as of 2010. A significant concern for the poultry industry is that approximately 75% of production costs stem from feed. Addressing this issue could lead to reduced costs and improved sustainability within the sector.

One promising solution lies in the reuse of spent grain from the brewing industry, which generates about 36.4 million tons of waste annually. While brewers’ spent grain (BSG) is often repurposed for feeding cattle and pigs, it poses challenges for poultry because chickens struggle to efficiently digest high-fiber materials.

In a recent study titled “Intestinal Effects of Brewers’ Spent Grain Extract in Ovo,” published in the journal Animals, a team of researchers from Cornell University investigated ways to refine BSG for enhanced gut health and nutritional value in broiler chickens. The study aimed to develop a sustainable feed alternative that could benefit both producers and consumers.

The research focused on extracting the water-soluble components from brewers’ spent grain, eliminating the protein and fiber elements that can impede nutrient absorption. This extract was then tested for its effectiveness in promoting gut development and improving microbiota populations in broiler chickens.

Elad Tako, an associate professor in the Department of Food Science, led the research alongside doctoral student Melissa Huang and project scientist Louisa Smieska. Their research involved using synchrotron X-ray imaging to observe the intestinal tracts of embryonic chickens, providing insight into the gut health implications of the spent grain extract.

The findings revealed that the extract not only stimulated the growth of the small intestine but also reduced the presence of harmful bacteria such as E. coli and Clostridium. This is noteworthy as the poultry industry faces regulatory pressure to minimize pathogen contamination in meat products while concurrently reducing antibiotic use.

Tako noted that their synchrotron X-ray imaging successfully detected vital minerals, including iron and zinc, post-treatment in the small intestinal tissue samples. Both minerals play crucial roles in growth and development, suggesting that BSG might contribute positively to nutrition.

With projections placing the global poultry feed market at $238.9 billion by 2025, incorporating spent grain into broiler feed could serve as a cost-effective and nutrient-rich solution. Tako emphasized that consumers concerned with sustainability favor food products that utilize ingredients from waste streams, presenting an added incentive for feed manufacturers.

For their research, the team used spent grain sourced from Harpoon Brewery in Boston, applying a novel technique called “intra-amniotic administration.” This method, which involved injecting the extract into the amniotic sac of fertilized eggs, allowed the researchers to evaluate its effects on the developing embryos and observe significant outcomes regarding gut health.

According to Huang, the results have implications for longer-term studies involving adult birds and other species. The team aims to further explore the benefits of other upcycled ingredients, such as grape pomace, a byproduct of winemaking also thought to possess anti-inflammatory properties.

Amidst the ongoing avian flu outbreak that has led to the culling of over 82 million birds—nearly 22% of the U.S. poultry population—farmers are more focused than ever on optimizing flock health and preventative measures. Huang noted that there is increasing interest in utilizing upcycled products to contribute to a circular economy that minimizes waste while satisfying growing consumer demand for chicken.

Conclusion

The potential for using brewers’ spent grain as a feed ingredient for chickens opens new avenues for enhancing poultry nutrition and sustainability. As the industry seeks to innovate and reduce waste, such advancements could play a critical role in shaping the future of poultry production.

Reference:
Melissa Y. Huang et al, Intestinal Effects of Brewers’ Spent Grain Extract In Ovo (Gallus gallus)—A Pilot Study, Animals (2025). DOI: 10.3390/ani15030303

Source
phys.org