best brand of chicken feed?

[Chris09]

seminolewind,

It looks like your chart was based on human nutrition and the chart doesn't state the TDN, NEm, NEg, NDF, or ADF. Just some of the thing you look for in nutrition. Here is a chart that show the comparison of corn to other common used feed grains.

*Note the TDN, corn has more Total Digestible Nutrients than barley, oats, wheat, and sorghum. You can also note that corn has more energy and less fiber than barley, oats, wheat, and sorghum.

TDN = Total Digestible Nutrients​

NEm = Net Energy of Maintenance​

NEg = Net Energy of Gain​

CP = Crude Protein​

NDF = Neutral Detergent Fiber​

ADF = Acid Detergent Fiber​

​

Table 1. Nutrient content of various feed grains (NRC, 1996).​

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Corn Barley Wheat Oats Sorghum
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TDN, % 90 88 88 77 82
NEm, Mcal/lb 1.02 0.94 0.99 0.84 0.91
NEg, Mcal/lb 0.70 0.64 0.68 0.55 0.61
CP, % 9.8 13.2 14.2 13.6 12.6
Escape Protein, % of CP 55 27 23 17 57
NDF, % 10.8 18.1 11.8 29.3 16.1
ADF, % 3.3 5.8 4.2 14.0 6.4
-----------------------------------------------------------------




Table 2. Mineral content of major feed grains (NRC, 1996).
----------------------------------------------------------
Corn Barley Wheat Oats Sorghum
----------------------------------------------------------
Calcium, % 0.03 0.05 0.05 0.01 0.04
Phosphorus, % 0.32 0.35 0.44 0.41 0.34
Potassium, % 0.44 0.57 0.40 0.51 0.44
Magnesium, % 0.12 0.12 0.13 0.16 0.17
Sodium, % 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.01
Sulfur, % 0.11 0.15 0.14 0.21 0.14
Copper, ppm 2.5 5.3 6.5 8.6 4.7
Iron, ppm 54.5 59.5 45.1 94.1 80.8
Manganese, ppm 7.9 18.3 36.6 40.3 15.4
Selenium, ppm 0.14 - 0.05 0.24 0.46
Zinc, ppm 24.2 13.0 38.1 40.8 0.99
Cobalt, ppm - 0.35 - 0.06 -
Molybdenum, ppm 0.60 1.16 0.12 1.70 -
----------------------------------------------------------




Table 3. Nutrient content of corn using different harvest, storage,
or processing methods.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Escape
Dry TDN, NEm, NEg, Protein,
Corn Type Matter % Mcal/lb Mcal/lb CP, % % of CP
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dry Rolled Corn 86 90 1.02 0.70 9.8 60
Ear Corn 87 83 0.92 0.62 9.0 60
Steam Flaked Corn 82 94 1.06 0.73 10.0 45
High Moisture Corn 75 90 1.02 0.70 10.0 40
High Moisture Ear Corn 75 83 0.92 0.62 8.7 40
High Moisture Snapped Corn 74 81 0.90 0.59 8.8 40
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[Michael Apple]

*Note the TDN, corn has more Total Digestible Nutrients than barley, oats, wheat, and sorghum. You can also note that corn has more energy and less fiber than barley, oats, wheat, and sorghum.

TDN = Total Digestible Nutrients
NEm = Net Energy of Maintenance
NEg = Net Energy of Gain
CP = Crude Protein
NDF = Neutral Detergent Fiber
ADF = Acid Detergent Fiber​

I'm not anti-corn by any means and see it's value in diet. One thing I should mention is that diets with insufficient quantities of carbohydrates and fats as sources of energy, means the chicken will utilize some of the protein portion of the diet as a source of energy. White corn is deficient in vitamin A. Yellow corn adds yellowness to the flesh of the bird and the color of yolks. Corn has it's value in poultry diets, contrary to the corn-free trend in marketing techniques.

 

[Chris09]

I'm not anti-corn by any means and see it's value in diet. One thing I should mention is that diets with insufficient quantities of carbohydrates and fats as sources of energy, means the chicken will utilize some of the protein portion of the diet as a source of energy. White corn is deficient in vitamin A. Yellow corn adds yellowness to the flesh of the bird and the color of yolks. it is a Corn has it's value in poultry diets, contrary to the corn-free trend in marketing techniques.

Yes they will use some of the proteins as a energy source but deplete protein for energy?

If your feeding a high protein feed where the bird can afford to loose some protein in there diet that's fine but if the bird is fed a moderate protein diet say 18% and there fed treat and or free range then there protein intake drops to a way lower level.

Yes white corn is deficient in vitamin A but is very seldom used in a feed mix unless it is in a show feed designed with white feathered or white skinned birds in mind. Yellow type corn is more often in a feed mix and is rich in beta Carotene but will add yellowness the pigment color flesh and yolk as you said but will also add a brassiness to the feathers of some white feathered birds and can off color to white skinned birds also.

Like you said corn has its part in a poultry diet, but I will add that just like all other feed ingredients too much can and will lead to a bad out come.

 

[seminolewind]

I asked you not to refer to my posts anymore.


I don't consider any of my posts to be inaccurate. I don't consider this thread to be a place where a member calls one's information not exactly true. Just ignore my posts and post your own information , and please don't make any more references to my posts.

 

[BriskRooster]

this thread should be on front slider rather than that obscure bedding material one.... some great info here, (not for me tho none of those brands are in Australia and i use a organic grain mixture.

 

[BriskRooster]

oh... lol didn't read through it all, a fight has broken out lol.

 

[seminolewind]

This is a very interesting thread. Where, I live, I am severely limited on what I feed my chickens. I'm currently giving them 50:50 Country Feeds (Nutrena) Gamebird/Turkey Grower 21% : Pruina Layena Sunfresh Recipe. I mix them because the Purina only provides 16% protein. I supplement their diet with greens, fruit and insects from my garden along with oyster shells.

I did some research and compared Nutrena and Purina with the following brands: 'King's Organic Layer Pellets', "Buckeye Nutrition", and "Blue Seal OrganicLife Layer Pellets."

This is what I found out:
Protein, Lysine, Methionine, crude fat, crude fiber, calcium, ash, phosphorus and sodium percentages were pretty much identical for all of the brands listed above.

Really, their is no difference in the nutritional value, but a difference in whether or not it is organic. I'd much rather feed my chickens organic food because it is more environmentally friendly, pesticide/herbicide/GMO/GE free, but Nutrena and Purina aren't bad choices if you don't care about organic.

I totally agree. And I supplement just like you do.

I think commercial feed is sufficient, but there's many on here who start mixing in higher protein feeds. I think there are many people who do because they want something that is more than just sufficient. I know I do.

 

[seminolewind]

oh... lol didn't read through it all, a fight has broken out lol.

I do try to share what I know and contribute to a conversation. I do not come here to have my opinions trashed.

What does your feed in Australia contain? How do you feel about the feed available to you?

 

[Michael Apple]

Yes they will use some of the proteins as a energy source but deplete protein for energy?

If your feeding a high protein feed where the bird can afford to loose some protein in there diet that's fine but if the bird is fed a moderate protein diet say 18% and there fed treat and or free range then there protein intake drops to a way lower level.

Yes white corn is deficient in vitamin A but is very seldom used in a feed mix unless it is in a show feed designed with white feathered or white skinned birds in mind. Yellow type corn is more often in a feed mix and is rich in beta Carotene but will add yellowness the pigment color flesh and yolk as you said but will also add a brassiness to the feathers of some white feathered birds and can off color to white skinned birds also.

Like you said corn has its part in a poultry diet, but I will add that just like all other feed ingredients too much can and will lead to a bad out come.

Feeding too high a balance of cereal grains will fatten a bird. Feeding too high a balance of protein will cause gout, enteritis, among other things. Yes, a bad outcome can result from imbalance. Some range birds and some do not. Some raise layers and some raise broilers. Perhaps it would be more accurate to ask,"What should a good quality feed ration consist of for my purpose of raising chickens?" Perhaps that is another thread. There are some very well formulated rations out there as well as bad ones. Knowing nutrient content of feedstuffs, and the required four groups of nutrients answers the particulars.
1. Minerals
2.Vitamins
3. Protein supplements
4. Energy producing feedstuffs.

Then we have optimum amounts determined through research which are required during growth to maturity. Interesting that riboflavin and vitamin D should be increased for breeding stock compared that of laying stock. It is all interesting information.

 

[BriskRooster]

I do try to share what I know and contribute to a conversation. I do not come here to have my opinions trashed.

some people tend to want to fight rather than share knowledge and experiences... lol