feeding Barley to chickens

[1eyejer]

Does anyone know if Barley is ok for chickens

 

[dawnjerrene]

I have fed our birds barley before, without any ill effects. It was pearled barley, not with the hull/chaff, but they seemed to enjoy it, and didn't get sick from it. Hope that helps some.

Dawn

 

[Chris09]

Barley is not all that good for poultry used to produce eggs a far better grain would be Wheat..

This is a Quote from--
POULTRY FOODS AND FEEDING By DUNCAN FORBES LAURIE on Barley and Wheat.

Barley- is generally lower in protein than wheat,
but the starch content is about equal to that of an average
soft wheat. The fat content is low, and there is, in most
samples, a high percentage of fibre, which is indigestible
and of little food value to poultry. Wheat and rye
kernels have smooth, thin skins, or outer coats, but
barley kernels are enclosed in hard fibrous sheaths mainly cellulose..
As regards cost barley is a cheap food in most countries.
It is not a good egg-producing food, but is largely used
in fatting poultry. It may be given as a change of
food, and with advantage in cold weather. The mineral
content is low and, as in other cereals, is acid.

Wheat.—I have always regarded wheat as the best
staple grain food for poultry. In many countries maize
(com), rye, oats, and barley are chiefly used, as they
are often cheaper than wheat. The value of wheat,
however, is now more generally recognised, and, where
egg production is the main object, it is undoubtedly of
first importance.


Chris

 

[BlaDren]

I am currently giving my chickens barley and mixing it with chicken feed. I am getting the left over barley from creating beer. Its just a bi product that I don't feel should be wasted.

 

[Chickengirl209]

Are the chickens able to eat them with the hulls still on?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Yes they can. Barley is high in certain antinutritional factors, for which you should either treat, compensate, or keep quantities small as a percentage of total feed.

 

[Chickengirl209]

Does antinutrial mean that it works against the nutrients or is just not good for them?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Does antinutrial mean that it works against the nutrients or is just not good for them?

Antinutrtiional means yes, it can inhibit the absorption of certain nutrients or otherwise cause digestive problems. Honestly, that's true of everything, to greater or lesser degree.

The biggest always problem with barley is the presence of beta-glucans. Oafter oats, i think barley have the next highest level among the grains. They slow digestion (not a good thing in chickens, the way it is in humans) and contribute to sticky poops.

Barley is also prone to mycotoxins - basically, its a great medium for fusarium to grow, which produce mycotoxins which can cause loss of appetite, bloody boops, and even death. Pigs are most susceptible, but poultry are pretty susceptible. Goats and cows, less so.

There are enzymes which help with the beta-glucans (called beta-glucanase, rather unoriginally - but it helps me remember it), and dry rolling or steam rolling (as in steam the barley for two minutes, then run it thru the rollers) will help with digestibility.