Extra Carbs - Cold climates

[Gammond]

Someone just told me that it's OK to feed layers 1 part barley to 1 part layer ration in the winter, (extreme cold climates) as they need the extra carbs to stay warm and it won't effect the protein levels much because they're eating extra to stay warm....
Thoughts? This would save $$$

Also - they said during the summer (Free range) - they are fed only barley as they get enough nutrients from insects and seeds

 

[Gammond]

I found something that partially answers my question! Good article:
http://articles.extension.org/pages/68431/feeding-barley-to-poultry

 

[Titan Farm]

Did by chance the person that told you this have horses?

Carbs equal energy and chickens eat to fill there caloric need when that need is met they for the most part stop eating until that need has to be fill that caloric need again and that is one of the reasons it is important to have a balanced feed.

Now by a person adding more carbs to there poultry diet there increasing the birds caloric intake and in turn they tend to eat less but there nutritional intake is limited to that eating and there not eating enough nutritionally which is very bad in the cold winter.

As for proteins, proteins are somewhat hard to digest and digesting proteins can raise a chickens body heat. One of the biggest reasons for chickens getting heat stroke in the summer is over feeding proteins.

Now if you would do the complete opposite of what that person told you, you and your birds would be far better off. Leave your feed the same as it is in the summer or up the protein a bit ether way cut out the extra carbs and low protein treats and thing will be fine.

A look at just the protein loss if you would mix 1/2 and 1/2 feed and barley.
A 16% feed will drop to a 14% feed.
A 18% feed will drop to a 15% feed.
A 20% feed will drop to a 16% feed.
That's a big loss in proteins and that not even getting into the imbalance of the feed.

 

[Folly's place]

I feed Flock Raiser all year to my birds. They free range, so eat less feed most of the year. In winter, there's snow, cold, and very little or no forage, so they eat more feed. There's no reason to unbalance their diet in winter, or any other time. Mary

 

[rjohns39]

I have to agree with @Titan Farm here. During winter I do give my birds shelled corn as a treat with lots of grit available, it's very limited. Your article was a good one and there a lot of questions when it comes to barley and the necessary enzymes to make it viable. I limit barley and/or oats to no more than 15% by volume for those reasons. So why do I offer shelled vice cracked corn as a treat in winter? The theory is that it takes much more work in the gizzard to break it down, which generates additional body heat and a need for more protein/energy, which induces them to eat more. Among the folks I know who have tested this theory, the jury is split 50/50. So I ran my own test last winter, which would be anecdotal at best. Birds that got the corn, did eat more than those that did not. Also, stinky side affect. Corn takes longer to break down in the ceca so cecal poo was really nasty. That said, there was no noticeable difference in the health or well-being between the two groups of birds. Just my two cents.

 

[chickens really]

Just a note...I buy Oat and Barley Crumble...I have tossed a bit into my Chickens grower once in a blue moon...I use it at about 15% in my Duck feed...Its highly digestible ...

 

[MIchickenlady]

I feed Flock Raiser all year to my birds. They free range, so eat less feed most of the year. In winter, there's snow, cold, and very little or no forage, so they eat more feed. There's no reason to unbalance their diet in winter, or any other time. Mary

Hi Mary,
so...if your girls are laying, you still keep feeding flock raiser? do you add oyster shell for calcium? Thanks!! Im trying to decide what to do here soon, girls are almost 16 weeks old, duno if I should switch to layer feed or not? nice to read about your experience!!

 

[Folly's place]

I always have oyster shell out there, in a separate feeder. With roosters, young birds, molting hens, old hens, and active layers, it's the best way. Mary

 

[barred2rock]

You want to put on muscle not fat. Muscle is a better insulator than fat. Carbs are high in calories and low in nutrition, while protein enhances muscle mass.

 

[Folly's place]

I'm very happy to take advantage of the $$$ spent by feed companies and universities to figure out poultry nutrition, and there's no way I can formulate feed at home of equal quality, for anywhere near the same price, as something in a bag at the feed store.
People who farm and produce lots of grains may be able to do it, but not me. There's nothing I can add in quantity that will improve that bagged feed, either. Extras are just that, extras. Mary