Granola as feed?

[DrJerryrigger]

There are a wide range of granola products made at this factory. Most are sweetened with cane sugar (usually brown), and often a small amount of maple syrup. molasses, or honey is also used. I'd estimate most have have 10-15% sugar by weight. Also canola oil is used, I'd guess about 4-8%. A little salt is also added, but that's usually less that a half lb per 400lb batch. Many recipes have vanilla or almond extract in them (odiously not much). Coconut is a common ingredient.
I do have some choice as to what I bring home, as I'm often filling the boxes.

 

[Chris09]

There are a wide range of granola products made at this factory. Most are sweetened with cane sugar (usually brown), and often a small amount of maple syrup. molasses, or honey is also used. I'd estimate most have have 10-15% sugar by weight. Also canola oil is used, I'd guess about 4-8%. A little salt is also added, but that's usually less that a half lb per 400lb batch. Many recipes have vanilla or almond extract in them (odiously not much). Coconut is a common ingredient.
I do have some choice as to what I bring home, as I'm often filling the boxes.

That's a lot of sweetener and between the maple syrup, honey, brown sugar, molasses (both in the brown sugar and the added molasses) and canola oil you could have a lot more fat on your fowl than meat if you feed much over 10% to 15% of there ration.

Chris

 

[donrae]

Not wanting a big debate or anything, I'm just curious. You don't think whole grains (oats mainly) are healthy?

No, I don't. I don't think humans are meant to get so much of our nutrition from grains, and I think the "healthy whole grains" is a huge marketing ploy. I don't believe our bodies are made to digest them. I don't need to get all up on my soapbox, but if you're interested do some research on paleo/primal diets, Mark's Daily Apple is a good site to start with.

 

[galanie]

Yes, I know about Paleo diets, my son and his wife are on that. They started because she has a wheat allergy. And is also lactose intolerant. So for them of course this diet makes wonderful sense. I was just asking, and now I know why you feel that way.

For myself, I think we are meant to eat at least some grains. Certainly not most of the diet as granola isn't a major part of anyone's diet (I hope!). I don't think granola is a bit healthy myself, the oats being the best thing in it but with all that sugar any health value is completely negated.

 

[Imp]

I, in general, agree that a lot of sugars in a chicken's diet could and would cause increased obesity and the related health problems. I would keep it to a treat only, especially for layer and pet chickens. That is less than 10% of the total diet.

Another reason to limit it, is that chickens do eat treats first. If they fill up on treats, they may/will eat less of the regular feed and be deficient in the neccessary nutrients for optimal health and laying.

I was just reading that in some parts of the world where grains are scarce or expensive, sugar is added to the feed for energy and to increase size, fat, and flavor of meat birds.

Imp