The nutritional information is just the nutrients regardless of who consumes it. There is more readily available information regarding ruminants, but it is still pertinent information IMO. The information I posted had the nutrients levels at different stages of growing, not digestion. So no I don't think it pertains to just ruminants. People feed sprouts or fodder for different reasons. Feeding at a shorter sprout stage gives you less chance of mold and takes less time, but WHY do you say it's best to feed when the sprout is the same length as seed? Maybe that is what is best for YOU. But some people are trying to get the GREEN into their birds diet... and believe the significant weight increase equals feed savings, not realizing it is dry weight that matters not water content.
Yes, there are even people on here that raise their birds completely free range with NO fodder and do OK. It depends on your pasture, weather, what breed chicken you have, stock density, and your personal goals.
My personal goal is to have healthy chickens that live WAY better lifestyle than factory birds... which produce eggs and meat for my family in addition to being fun pets and with no worry about recalls. I see so called free range wild animals all the time... it isn't an easy life. In the wild... almost all animals die younger than in captivity. It's partly because of the dangers, but I'm sure it's got something to do with inadequate diet. Some fodder will have more nutritional values than others. If you grow just one kind and rely heavily on it as your feed... not only will your birds be lacking something... but your subsequent eggs will be as well. You are what you eat. For this reason, I provide a formulated ration (according to poultry nutrition experts)... and my birds have access to pasture as well which includes bugs and not only grass but all kinds of other weeds. All guidelines I see state to give treats at a rate of not more than 10% of the total daily ration... after seeing (and smelling) peoples dogs or other animals who aren't fed properly... I choose to go with what I know will provide the best life for my flock... which means meal worms are a treat. I may consider fodder in the same fashion... a treat. While at first I was thinking oh it's just like free ranging... that isn't true if variety is lacking... or if like in my case they just pick the seeds off. Another thing I know I already stated... my time is valuable. Growing fodder, sprouting, and meal worms... are fun to do as a hobby... when I want to. It takes a little more time to feed out all the extra stuffs. Being required to do it day in and day out... will steal MY joy. I know myself and work within my limits. But still stand by my original information... in that mealworms and fodder or sprouting is in my opinion, according to research I have done and my own personal experience... best given as a treat, supplement, or enrichment and not as a main feed source.
I agree that fat is absolutely necessary... we can NOT live without it as some vitamins and such are only fat soluble so they won't absorb without it. "But especially in winter"?... hogwash! Fat and protein have the SAME amount of calories... but protein is gonna be loaded with amino acids and other nutrients. The amount of fat in meal worms, per the original post... if fed as a main protein source is gonna give you some very unhealthy chickens... likely dying earlier in life, producing fewer eggs, and facing more parasites and possibly disease along the way. Nutrition matters and it NEEDS to be balanced. Most chicken feeds have below 6% fat. Please note I never said chickens should be fat free.
I have even seen people who raise their chickens on just scratch... they are the ones who post about how terrible their flock is doing and don't understand why. It's because our formulated feeds have the needed vitamins, minerals, and amino acids added in. They aren't just grains.
Glad to have you join the conversation.
