Science
FeedScraps (aka dried recoverd household food) were discovered in 2023 by Dr. Geoff Hill, Mill, and UC Davis, to contain a strong nutrition profile matched with chicken feed. After screening and heat treating for pathogens, FeedScraps can be included in poultry diets up to 33% for broilers and 37% for layers. Our farm partners are starting with lower inclusion until they are very confident about bird health and egg quality. Â
Details
Publications
- Hill et al.(2023) Assessment of the variation in nutritional composition and safety of dried recovered food from United States households and prospects for use in chicken feed
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AAFCO Definition (American Association of Feed Control Officials)
- AAFCO Document (2024) an FDA partner agency
- Biocycle Article - AAFCO gives green light
Safety
Details
FeedScraps takes safety seriously; for residents using devices and handling FeedGrounds, for our workers, for our farm partners, and escpeially for the bird ladies that are going to eat FeedScraps.Â
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FeedScraps founder, Geoff, has been feeding his own chickens FeedGrounds from food recycling devices for more than 5 years and absolutely adores his birds.Â
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A video is provided to the right here show casing one of the first FeedScraps feeding trials ever conducted, at his house, with his first flock of birds. They had the choice to eat 100% FeedGrounds and regular food. Watch for yourself!
In home device safety​
- Devices are safe certified devices for home use
- Devices heat up to >55C and destroy food pathogensÂ
- Devices have sharp parts inside their buckets but clear warnings and safety measures prevent parts from moving when openÂ
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Feed Storage Safety
- Safe shelf storage is 12 weeks. Pick ups occur every 8 weeks.Â
- All FeedScraps are safety inspected at our facility and excess mold or hazards result in ejection from FeedScrap process and notification sent to resident.
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Feed Transport Safety
- Drivers have safety training & safe driving requirements
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Feed Ingredient Production Safety
- All FeedScraps are evaluated for visual contaminants
- All FeedScraps are screened, metal detected, and heat treated prior to bagged as a feed ingredient
- A FeedScraps facility will have a valid WA commercial feed license before producing any feed ingredient product
Feed
FeedScraps are a suitable backyard chicken feed coming straight out of the residential device. Many food recycler device owners feed their own chickens. Some ship their feed to Washington where its made into feed for Wilcox farms.  FeedScraps is following this model and process steps, but is offering direct collection in dense collection zones rather than using the postal service. Â
Details
​- Produced in a WA licensed commercial feed production facility
- Sold as a feed ingredientÂ
- Sold with a label and guaranteed analysis
- In the future may be sold as a fully formulated feed
- Sold to local PNW layer farmers
- Farmers have been using FeedScraps like products for years and are very satisfied and hungry for more
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WA State Compliance
Details
1.  Washington’s organics management laws prioritize food waste prevention and beneficial reuse pathways, including animal feed, ahead of landfill disposal in the waste hierarchy.​
2. FeedScraps are not a waste product, do not require waste hauling permits, nor waste processing permits. They are regulated by WA Department of Ag.
3. FeedScraps comply with AAFCO definition for dried recovered household food; this definition is recognized by WA Deptartment of Ag.Â
4. FeedScraps will avoid methane generation of food scraps in landfill and may further reduce emissions associated with food scrap composting
5. FeedScraps are dried to <70% of their original mass and volume using electricity; decreasing truck hauling fuel by not trucking water. Â
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EPA
Details
- The EPA considers the feeding of food scraps to animals >> composting for many environmental reasons
- The percent of residential food scraps fed to animals is very small (<3% of total)
- The percent of diverted residential food scraps that is fed to animals is tiny compared with composting
- Composting facilities generate considerable odor and other VOC emissionsÂ
- Production of animal feed generates far less odor and VOC emissions. Â
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