Chickens got into a bag of linseed meal - bad or good?

[kimbachick]

I found one of my meat birds feeding on an old bag of linseed meal (the people who lived here before us left it). My egg layers weren't at all interested in it. It had pecked through the packaging and was feasting on it. Is this okay, or will it harm the chickens? I hardly ever let them outside of their run, so this is the only time they've accessed it. If it doesn't harm them, can I mix it with the chicken feed as a supplement (the bag is huge and I'd rather not waste it). Or should I get rid of the bag in case it's harmful to them?
Thanks for your help!

 

[Akane]

Linseed is flaxseed. An often recommended supplement for humans and pets and flaxseeds were once eaten like any type of nut is today. Overall it's a healthy food but too much of something is never a good thing. I think there are some concerns about the selenium level if too much is eaten. Also it will make eggs taste fishy if you feed too much but not a concern with meat birds. Most likely the bird will suffer no ill effects and they may even benefit from having the linseed fed out in more controlled amounts.

 

[cassie]

Linseed is very high protein. It is used to increase the protein levels in livestock feeds. Other seeds used for this purpose are soy bean meal and cottonseed meal. It won't hurt them.

 

[kimbachick]

Great info -- thank you!