Amino Acid Requirements--Adult Hen?

[EuroChook]

Why are our chickens the last species on earth for which this information is readily accessible, commonplace? I've got no good information anywhere as I try to update any scant existing info on it. What do you give a broiler (not a chick, adult hen, non-laying) in terms of protein? How much of these does she need please?


arginine
isoleucine
leucine
lysine
methionine
phenylalanine
threonine
tryptophan
valine

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Why are our chickens the last species on earth for which this information is readily accessible, commonplace? I've got no good information anywhere as I try to update any scant existing info on it. What do you give a broiler (not a chick, adult hen broiler) in terms of protein? How much of these does she need please?


arginine
isoleucine
leucine
lysine
methionine
phenylalanine
threonine
tryptophan
valine

Here in the US, the guaranteed nutritional labels will only display Met and Lys - we have to assume that a company that gets the first two correct also gets the others fine. and if you get the first two correct in a Corn/Soy mix feed, your are virtually guaranteed to get the Threo and Tryp correct. Sadly, in the EU and elsewhere, even Met and Lys levels aren't routinely listed.

Neither can you rely on CP alone - here in the US, we tend to rely on a lot (relatively speaking) of lower quality protein in effort to ensure our birds get the AAs then need. The EU, otoh, is at the cutting edge of research for Amino Acid supplimentation to produce lower CP feeds of better protein values (that is, higher amounts of Met, Lys, Arg relative to the other AAs in the total protein).

So, your answer varies with your geography.

I'm a bit confusled by your terminology and my lack of . an adult hen broiler should be in freezer camp already, unless she is being used as a breeder - and an adult hen layer has entirely different nutritional needs.

That said, rather than wait on clarity, here's the old US numbers (as recorded in a publication from India (p15-17), because finding the US numbers published directly and free is rather more difficult). Here's the best meta-study on current AA needs (for layers) research I've found. Here's the old NRCS numbers (US), doesn't include the vitamins/minerals that the India reference does). and here's the recommendations from Cobb-Vantress (who know a thing or three about meat birds) for raising the Cobb 500 Broiler.

Hope that helps you with your questions!

 

[EuroChook]

Thank you. Ha--I had two options, broiler and adult hen. I had not edited properly and so it was that weird combination. Adult non-laying hen would be request here. But I will definitely take broiler information, since I was posting that question next.

Seems more needs to be done to ensure excellent standards in feed, and information regarding chickens.

In places like Australia, either values of nutrients are missing, or are too low to ensure adequate nutrition for chickens. And likelihood is the guy selling you the feed won't have a clue what is required. My uncle, based there, couldn't get straight answers from a vet who was supposed to be an avian specialist, regarding protein and calcium needs for the hen he had just taken to her for treatment (for deficiency!)

Thank you for these guides. Interesting that we go to good USA information but via India. But I am grateful. The internet has nothing, dealing with chicks only and layers. Big help. Thank you.

That must have taken you a long time. Im in your debt. Excellent broiler information already. It will save me posting separately. Big thank you.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Thank you. Ha--I had two options, broiler and adult hen. I had not edited properly and so it was that weird combination. Adult non-laying hen would be request here. But I will definitely take broiler information, since I was posting that question next.

Seems more needs to be done to ensure excellent standards in feed, and information regarding chickens.

In places like Australia, either values of nutrients are missing, or are too low to ensure adequate nutrition for chickens. And likelihood is the guy selling you the feed won't have a clue what is required. My uncle, based there, couldn't get straight answers from a vet who was supposed to be an avian specialist, regarding protein and calcium needs for the hen he had just taken to her for treatment (for deficiency!)

Thank you for these guides. Interesting that we go to good USA information but via India. But I am grateful. The internet has nothing, dealing with chicks only and layers. Big help. Thank you.

Happy to help. Believe it or not, Poultry nutrition is one of the best studied biologies on the planet - even more than the study of human nutritional needs. But yes, you have to search for it sometimes.

One of the other posters here on BYC is 180 degrees from me, located somewhere on the Australian continent, and is looking into the use of Lupins to suppliment the local feeds - they have high crude protein, relatively speaking, are locally available, and an AA profile similar to many other legume crops, such as soy, which are less available there.

I'm not a big proponent of "make at home" feeds - in fact I'm routinely strongly against it, but having seen what you have to work with down there, I can understand why you would consider it. In your situation, so would I.

These may help get you started.
@EddieSalita 's thread
@Sussex19 's thread

I think @Perris looked into it, but couldn't source them locally - though may have some additional resources on their value and how best to prepare them.

If I recall correctly, Australia routinely produces two (broadly) varieties of lupin, one of which is much higher in anti-nuitritional compoinds than the other. Submerged fementation, I beleive, is the prefered method for dealing with those (in part) - but double check my memory, its not the greatest for things I never expect to use - can't get lupins here, either.

 

[EuroChook]

Happy to help. Believe it or not, Poultry nutrition is one of the best studied biologies on the planet - even more than the study of human nutritional needs. But yes, you have to search for it sometimes.

One of the other posters here on BYC is 180 degrees from me, located somewhere on the Australian continent, and is looking into the use of Lupins to suppliment the local feeds - they have high crude protein, relatively speaking, are locally available, and an AA profile similar to many other legume crops, such as soy, which are less available there.

I'm not a big proponent of "make at home" feeds - in fact I'm routinely strongly against it, but having seen what you have to work with down there, I can understand why you would consider it. In your situation, so would I.

These may help get you started.
@EddieSalita 's thread
@Sussex19 's thread

I think @Perris looked into it, but couldn't source them locally - though may have some additional resources on their value and how best to prepare them.

If I recall correctly, Australia routinely produces two (broadly) varieties of lupin, one of which is much higher in anti-nuitritional compoinds than the other. Submerged fementation, I beleive, is the prefered method for dealing with those (in part) - but double check my memory, its not the greatest for things I never expect to use - can't get lupins here, either.

This has been great. If there was more time, I would answer more completely. I need to rock n roll. But the happiest view I had of Australia was seeing its diminishing size from an airplane window.

Anyway thank you for everything!

 

[Shadrach]

U_Stormcrow's got this so I'll just provide a link to a first class article on home made feed.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...eat-tears-a-calculator-or-deep-pockets.78655/

A lot is going to depend on the bird, it's age, it's keeping circumstances and what you can find at a reasonable cost.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I like the calculator, but my approach isn't the only approach - differing management styles favor differing feed approaches.

...and with that, I need to jet as well. Bought a new vbrush trimmer yesterday, time to try it out before the heat index passes 110. Very best to you!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

What do you give a broiler (not a chick, adult hen, non-laying) in terms of protein? How much of these does she need please

The following link is the veterinary resource I tend to use and has some good information. Check the little green tables just down on the right hand side of the page..

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul...t-poultry/nutritional-requirements-of-poultry

 

[EuroChook]

U_Stormcrow's got this so I'll just provide a link to a first class article on home made feed.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...eat-tears-a-calculator-or-deep-pockets.78655/

A lot is going to depend on the bird, it's age, it's keeping circumstances and what you can find at a reasonable cost.

Thank you, I appreciate that a lot, and shall pass it down the line to the frustrated pellet maker himself

 

[EuroChook]

I like the calculator, but my approach isn't the only approach - differing management styles favor differing feed approaches.

...and with that, I need to jet as well. Bought a new vbrush trimmer yesterday, time to try it out before the heat index passes 110. Very best to you!

All taken into consideration. I will be conscientious and advise others to be also. (It sounds now like some religious experience).

Hope the vbrush trimmer works out just great! I want one. Not so much for upkeep here, just... to cut through the neighbors trees some and see what's going on.

The heat. Time for some heavenly intervention for real. It's crazy. Take care and best of things to you!