Fermented foods

[Avian Rook]

Can I give my Cockatiels fermented grains like rice and wheat and cooked rice as feed ?

 

[Pat H]

WELCOME to the Avenue!!!

Cooked rice and wheat, yes... but fermented I'm not sure of... When you say fermented, would that be remnants of distilling?
I've asked previously about feeding them the Kombucha... they weren't sure, but didn't recommend it.

Feeding a mix of vegie, sprouts, grains etc is good...
Wait for more comments ...

 

[redindiaink]

No, because fermented rice is either miso (far too salty) or saki (alcohol shouldn't be given to birds). Rice can also carry Bacillus cereus which can cause food poisoning in humans and birds by leaving it to sit on a counter at room temperature which is how many fermented foods are made.

 

[Destiny]

If you are handling the fermentation process correctly, it is no more hazardous than sprouting grains. And it can provide similar benefits benefits - softening the grains and improving the nutritional profile, compared with dry feed. Fermentation is an old method for preserving foods, because the fermentation process prevents many harmful bacteria from growing and allows the food to be stored longer without losing quality. The bacteria involved in fermentation are considered "probiotics". They are generally not harmful if consumed.

I haven't heard of people fermenting feed for parrots, but use of silage and other fermented feeds in farm animals has a long history of practice. I haven't done it myself, but some people recommend it as a way to improve the diet of your chickens.

Here is a short guide that explains in more detail:

How to Ferment Chicken Feed for Better Hen Health & Eggs

Making fermented chicken feed is an easy and inexpensive way to improve the nutritional value of their food, leading to better health and quality of eggs!

homesteadandchill.com

It should be safe, so long as you follow clean practices, but be sure to do your own research. Just like with sprouting and canning, if you do it wrong, there is a danger of food poisoning.

 

[Destiny]

If anyone is interested, here is an article that briefly describes the differences between sprouting, soaking, and souring (fermentation) grains or seeds.

Sprouting vs. Souring vs. Soaking Of Grains - Cultures For Health

Through sprouting, souring or soaking, you can turn grains that are sometimes hard for the body to digest, into a nourishing staple for your home.

www.culturesforhealth.com

No, because fermented rice is either miso (far too salty) or saki (alcohol shouldn't be given to birds).

Miso is made from fermented soybeans. Sake is made from rice, but it is only the liquid produced from prolonged fermentation. There are other fermented rice products, like tapai or juniang, which involve less time and no added salts. These are more like what you might offer as animal feed.

How to Make Fermented Sweet Rice (Jiuniang,-Tapai)

Fermented sweet rice is a popular Asian treat that has both a sweet and a mild-alcoholic taste. You’ll find a detailed step-by-step procedure for making fermented sweet rice at home.

lightorangebean.com

Fermented Rice Recipe | How To Make Fermented Sweet Rice At Home - Cultures For Health

Add delicious new food to your diet with this easy-to-follow recipe for fermented sweet rice from Cultures For Health. You can enjoy the benefits of cultured foods, including improved digestion, better absorption of nutrients, and enhanced immune system function. Learn how to make fermented rice...

www.culturesforhealth.com

One thing to be aware of is that even though the fermentation time is shorter, a small amount of alcohol is produced when making fermented sweet rice, like tapai. Not an issue for people, but a potential concern for birds.

Interestingly, some birds, including wild parrots, have been observed eating fermented fruits and nectars in the wild ... and birds can get drunk. Not surprisingly, it doesn't take much alcohol for a bird to act inebriated. And too much alcohol can be potentially fatal. So caution is advised.

If you do plan on offering fermented rice or other grains, steps should be taken to minimize or remove alcohol from the final product.

 

[redindiaink]

Miso is made from fermented soybeans.

Miso can be made from soy, barley, rice, or a combination like they do with aka miso. Rice is often used as the food for the koji-kin to start the fermentation process, barley is another.

 

[Avian Rook]

By fermentation i meant rice and wheat grains soaked in water for a couple of days i feed my chickens daily with it and they love it .it provides easy digestibility and nutrition uptake that is why i wanted to know if it is okay to give it to Cockatiels

 

[Pat H]

Looks like I need to read up on some of the articles @Destiny suggested! Thanks for the info!