Enhanced Protein Feed - Winter?

[Apis mellifera]

When considering protein there is a difference between animal and vegetable. Animal is a more complete protein. Sorry I don't have any science based references or peer reviewed articles to back up my claim but I believe my flock is healthier because they free range and eat a lot of insects and other small animals. Most feeds contain no animal protein. During the winter months I will supplement feed with some meat table scraps. My hens lay all winter. I did notice that Purina is trying to fill the gap in non animal protein feed by offering a Free Range feed that contains black soldier fly larvae. I'm going to include in my winter feeding.

 

[NNYchick]

When considering protein there is a difference between animal and vegetable. Animal is a more complete protein. Sorry I don't have any science based references or peer reviewed articles to back up my claim but I believe my flock is healthier because they free range and eat a lot of insects and other small animals. Most feeds contain no animal protein. During the winter months I will supplement feed with some meat table scraps. My hens lay all winter. I did notice that Purina is trying to fill the gap in non animal protein feed by offering a Free Range feed that contains black soldier fly larvae. I'm going to include in my winter feeding.

Yes this is true animal protein has a better balance and bioavailability of amino acids and do not require the addition of synthetic amino acids to balance it like plant proteins do. I really don’t understand why more companies don’t offer it I know it’s a cost factor. I was amazed at the amount of by products that come from processing of different products that go into chickens feed.

 

[Folly's place]

Vegetable proteins are less expensive than animal protein sources, so cost is definitely a factor. Also, there's marketing; look at the eggs at the store, where 'vegetarian fed' is a selling point. Also, the amino acid blend is what actually matters, so balanced vegetarian chicken feeds are possible, and fine to feed.
I looked at Purina's new 'insect protein' feed, and it's still a 16% protein layer diet. Not what I want to feed, bugs or not.
Because prion diseases have many folks spooked, adding animal sourced proteins can be a problem too, especially bovine sourced proteins.
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

As an aside: chickens are omnivores, so it's possible to use many ingredients and still balance a diet for them. Domestic cats (all cats?) are obligate carnivores, and cannot be fed an vegetarian diet, they require animal proteins. Also, cats aren't in our food chain, so the whole prion disease issue doesn't apply to them.
Mary

 

[NNYchick]

Yes I would love to see the insect protein go farther. From what I understand is the 2 biggest hurdles is figuring out how to prevent cross contamination of parasites and pathogens insect have (I guess Purina figured it out) and adding too much can effect the taste of the eggs.
I’m wondering if 16% would be ok seeing it’s a better quality of protein? However I’m not happy with the 2.5% fat and 7% fiber either. I’d like to know exact how much black soldier fly is in there or is it a marketing ploy were they add a tablespoon to a ton of feed just so they can put it on the label but really it’s effect is minuscule.

 

[Folly's place]

I don't remember how the ingredient list on the bag was structured, and just now couldn't find an ingredient list on the Purina website. Ingredients are listed by order of weight, so that would be helpful here.
Mary

 

[Ted Brown]

I thought I asked a simple question ha!

I have about decided that trying to do with only one feed is not my best course. My climate drives a need for more carbs in the winter and the mash I buy definitively has corn in it, also notice that the chicks consumption of the 22% protein feed is declining and their mash consumption increasing; our temperatures have gotten much colder it may be driving the shift? A couple of folks have mentioned Black Oil Sunflower seeds, I will see if I can find some.

The animal vs vegetable based protein comments are interesting. I am trying to shift to a more vegetable based diet myself so leftover meat scraps do not exist around here. The use of insects as feed is also interesting and more often mentioned in things I read (for humans and animals) but last time I searched (about a year ago) they were expensive with few local sources; both are factors for me.

Someone also said that chickens "instinctively" know what they need, makes sense to me so another reason to make a variety available.

 

[Shadrach]

I thought I asked a simple question ha!

I have about decided that trying to do with only one feed is not my best course. My climate drives a need for more carbs in the winter and the mash I buy definitively has corn in it, also notice that the chicks consumption of the 22% protein feed is declining and their mash consumption increasing; our temperatures have gotten much colder it may be driving the shift? A couple of folks have mentioned Black Oil Sunflower seeds, I will see if I can find some.

The animal vs vegetable based protein comments are interesting. I am trying to shift to a more vegetable based diet myself so leftover meat scraps do not exist around here. The use of insects as feed is also interesting and more often mentioned in things I read (for humans and animals) but last time I searched (about a year ago) they were expensive with few local sources; both are factors for me.

Someone also said that chickens "instinctively" know what they need, makes sense to me so another reason to make a variety available.

I'm not a believer in the commercially produced feed is the healthiest way to feed chickens. But, the chickens here free range from dawn to dusk and have unlimited access to whatever forage is available. This includes the droppings from other livestock, a large compost heap and some kitchen scraps.
A possible solution for you may be to free range your flock. i don't know enough about your view of chicken keeping and your circumstances to know if this is a viable option.
One partial solution which I make use of despite the chickens free ranging is to add a small amount of fish as a treat to their diet two or three times a week; Tuna and cooked sardines mainly.

 

[Ted Brown]

@Shadrach

Thanks for your reach out.

Free range is not a possibility except in limited circumstances during the May through October(?) months. I am in a rural area with loads of predators about and the winters close access to the ground for about 5 months of the year.

My overall plan was large coop and covered run areas with free range a couple of hours per day weather permitting. I built the coop in September and added a run space underneath in October, even that was a push but know I need to expand the run space as soon as I can.

The weather is -12C, the ground is frozen and covered in snow,

 

[NNYchick]

I thought I asked a simple question ha!

I have about decided that trying to do with only one feed is not my best course. My climate drives a need for more carbs in the winter and the mash I buy definitively has corn in it, also notice that the chicks consumption of the 22% protein feed is declining and their mash consumption increasing; our temperatures have gotten much colder it may be driving the shift? A couple of folks have mentioned Black Oil Sunflower seeds, I will see if I can find some.

The animal vs vegetable based protein comments are interesting. I am trying to shift to a more vegetable based diet myself so leftover meat scraps do not exist around here. The use of insects as feed is also interesting and more often mentioned in things I read (for humans and animals) but last time I searched (about a year ago) they were expensive with few local sources; both are factors for me.

Someone also said that chickens "instinctively" know what they need, makes sense to me so another reason to make a variety available.

Yes I too have noticed an increase in feed consumption this week with the colder temperatures. You are a couple hours north of me. Since we dropped to the single digits I have started giving them 5 grain scratch about half hour before they go to roost. They eat the 22% chick and game starter pellets during the day. As winter goes on I add loose leaf alfalfa, squash or pumpkin once in awhile to keep them occupied.