Protein for Chickens

Fullers Farmalls · Aug 28, 2013

We have a small flock, around 12 but we are always looking for more. We want to start feeding them our own mix but need something with higher protein yields, Soybeans are good i know but I don't grow them or have a way to harvest if i did. What does everyone else use? Just curious to see if we could or just keep buying the stuff fro, TSC

Ecnerwal · Aug 28, 2013

I have read about people doing small-scale haylage or grass silage for small flocks of chickens. I see no reason that corn silage would not also work, but you'd have to ask your chickens what they think - get a bucketful from a neighbor if you don't have any on hand before you head down that route.

This page (if YT does not munge it) reports on silage/haylage, and I note that Alfalfa has as much or more protein as standard chicken feed at any stage:

http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/ansci/dairy/as1252.pdf

Myself, I generally gave in to simplicity and bought feed when I had birds. They certainly like their storebought feed better when it's been fermented for a few days into sour mash. That speaks well of the odds they will like other fermented forage.

I think if "normal" feed is available in case the haylage is not up to snuff that would be fine - otherwise you need to get into testing to be sure you're providing what they need.

Dave Sherburne NY · Aug 28, 2013

Chicken feed is 16 or18% protein Gamebird feed is 28% Check the labels to see what makes the gamebird feed higher. Try feeding them soaked or sprouted oats or wheat. They love it.

Bob Bancroft · Aug 28, 2013

When the wife had a few chickens and pigs, we would get several hundred pounds of roasted soybeans and put them in an old barn bin. Then we would grind them, a few pails full at a time, same as we did corn.
If you have no way to handle, store, or grind, then I would guess the only thing you could do short of buying whole feed is to buy some bagged ingredients from a mill.

JMS/.MN · Aug 29, 2013

Haylage is not an appropriate feed for single-stomach animals like chickens. It is meant for ruminants. It can be used on a limited basis for sows, who need roughage, along with grain and protein. Companies that market feeds on the basis of "protein" often use non-digestible or low digestible sources of protein. Crude protein levels are high in many products, but what is the source? Collagens, like fingernails, hair, CHICKEN/TURKEY FEATHERS....have a high level of protein, but are not highly digestible. When you run the sample through the lab it tests high, since they measure Nitrogen to determine crude protein. You need to rely on "digestible" protein levels, according to the species of animals that you are feeding.

randallinMo · Aug 29, 2013

I too have a small laying flock.....15 hens. I usually feed them a grind a mix ration that the local elevator mixes for me. There have been times when I have fed them straight shelled corn along with a flake of alfalfa hay each day. They did not seem to lose any production....kept right on laying. They pick through and eat mostly the leaves of the alfalfa, leaving most of the stems. Don't over feed the alfalfa or they will waste too much. I"ve also fed straight whole wheat. They prefer wheat over oats. On a side note, did you ever watch a hen eat a kernel of corn? She will ALWAYS turn that kernel around in her mouth and swallow it with the round end of the kernel going down first.

Protein for Chickens

Fullers Farmalls

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Ecnerwal

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Dave Sherburne NY

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Bob Bancroft

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JMS/.MN

Well-known Member

randallinMo

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