So I finally established a relationship with the fine brewers at the
local pub (Magnolia at Haight and Stanyan) where I can pick up spent
beer mash (grain) for duck feed.

When I first tried feeding it to the runner ducks, I mixed it with
other commercial mash feed that I had been using. I was excited and a
little nervous. The ducks checked their new food quickly and instead
opted to cruise the garden for slugs and such and I went out for the
morning with my daughter. When I came back mid-morning, I was greeted
to overwhelming loud quacking from all three girls (a rare event). I
felt sad. This was the type of quacking they only do when VERY
hungry. I figured they rejected the new food...so I went out to see
and found they had eaten every last grain of the spent beer
mash/grain! They were hungry...hungry for more!!

All week I could barely keep up with their appetite. The good news is
that I only picked up a tiny fraction of the spent grain at Magnolia
so there is plenty more for the girls. The bad news is that Magnolia
does not use 100% organic grain. That said, I know the master brewer
and owner and they are conscious of their supplier selection. They
know their farmers and they tell me that even if not fully CCOF
certified, these growers do not use pesticides or herbicides. Whether
they are soil builders or not is another question...

So, if you are an SF Fowl keeper and dislike picking up bags of feed
at Rainbow or driving to Half Moon Bay for organic layer feed,
consider your local brewery. Build a relationship with the brewer
over a few pints and bring a bucket. Spent brewery mash is perfect
for fowl - the proteins and fats do not get broken down in the brewing
process so the grain is easily digested and perfect for laying birds.
Supplement by calcium strategy of your choice and plenty of insects
(and fruits/greens for chickens) and you should have a complete diet.

Thanks mulch courageous fowlers,

-Kevin