feeding peas to chickens

[kk454]

MY wife and I are fairly new to the chicken world, but we want to start mixing our own feeds. Due to the fact we live in Montana, corn and soy are difficult to come by. We have wheat and wheat screenings that we can mix abundantly (approx 12-13 protein) along with access to field peas for higher protein levels (20-24%). I have heard barley is bad for chickens, but haven't heard anything one way or another concerning peas. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

As far as any hardshell,like beans & corn, would recommend grinding it so they can digest it. Sounds like a good source of protien.

 

[bibliophile birds]

this article has great info on feeding peas. the feed i get now has them and my chickens love it. when i start mixing my own in the spring, i'm definitely including peas. barley is ok in smaller amounts. check my BYC page (scroll to the very bottom) for several great sites that have been helping me figure out poultry nutrition.

good luck!

 

[bibliophile birds]

also wanted to add that wheat is a much better base than corn anyway. corn is good in smaller portions but it packs on too much fat if you aren't careful. i avoid soy completely, so no worries there. do you have access to flaxseed? it's a spectacular replacement for soy.

 

[kk454]

Yes, we have access to flax. I am even thinking of seeding a little next spring for a feed mix. Prices on the flax are fairly high right now compared to peas, but I was considering adding some in for the Omega-3 benefit. My chickens are devouring the corn scratch I threw out today due to the frigid temps, but I am considering cutting corn out almost completely. Thanks for the suggestions.

I just read the research article from Manitoba, and am very encouraged. It looks to me like peas at 30% of my ration will be my protein source.

 

[chookchick]

Peas are great for chickens! Lucky you having the products to make your own feed. I'm thinking of growing some field peas next year for my hens.

 

[Cindy in PA]

I feed a pigeon mix (scratch) that has a good portion of peas in it. It makes up about 1/3 of their diet. My chickens gobble it up even my bantams. All we can get around here is corn & soy. You are so lucky to be able to get peas! I think my mix contains austrian peas, canada peas & maple peas?? I have no idea where each are grown.

 

[Chris09]

I know alot of people that use Pigeon Grain mix as a scratch grain for chickens..
I use it in my scratch grain mix. I whould have to look at the tag but I think the brand I get is 16% protein and a all grain mix with corn..
I beleve there is 4 kinds of peas (Austrain Peas, Canadian Peas, Maple Peas, and Vetch Peas), Mung Beans, Pop Corn, Linseed (Flax), Oats (Groats), Rice, Safflower Seed, Hulled Sunflower Seeds, and Wheat...


Chris

 

[Overeasyplz]

I should try this!

 

[Cindy in PA]

Quote:
Yea, mine has vetch in too, I forgot. It is Moyer's Purgrain No corn conditioner and is 16%. It also has brown rice, safflower, canary seed, milo & millet. I add sunflower & lentils to it for their scratch. I would love to get there 21% mix, but my feed store does not carry it. Purgrain is local to me. The 16% is $26-28 per 50 lbs. You can also get the corn or pop corn version. Needless to say I am really feeding grain as opposed to cheap scratch, but I love to spoil them.