Hatching Eggs / Paypal CHAT Thread

[Bettacreek]

The studies I'm reading aren't going high enough, but so far, more spent grain is better. Even in your link, 40% was the highest tested and had the best results. I'm going to do some more digging.

 

[DMRippy]

Here is what I was looking for

http://www.fao.org/ag/AGA/AGAP/FRG/AFRIS/Data/468.HTM

Spent grains are TOTALLY Different than Barley. ALL the starch has been removed in the brewing so what is left behind is just protein. This is the only link I could find on spent barley. When I first started using it I found several that said it was anywhere from 35-45% protein. Hops are ok for chickens BTW. There is NO hops in what I use. That comes later in the brewing.

http://www.ingredients101.com/brsgrnd.htm

http://www.fao.org/wairdocs/ILRI/x5490E/x5490e0y.htm

40% is the MAX I have ever seen recommended. Kidney damage is CUMULATIVE. My mother is diabetic and she has slowly been losing kidney function. After about 30 years of being a diabetic she is in 3rd stage kidney failure. The next is dialysis. If she had not taken some care of her self for the first 30 years she might have been on dialysis 10-15 years ago. If she does not watch her sugar and a few other things she will be on dialysis sooner rather than later. It is all about DIET.

 

[kraftyladies]

If you can get it, what is the best grain to use for fodder? Or the top 3 maybe?

 

[cluckitall]

Huh. I know protein is tricky for people with chronic kidney disease because their kidneys can't process the waste products created by the breakdown of protein. This is a problem healthy humans don't have -- healthy humans can consume a massive amount of protein without ill effect or damage, cumulative or otherwise.

I have heard the same "factoid" (forgive the term!) with chickens as I have with humans -- that what would usually be considered excessive protein is dangerous to their health. In humans, this is, according to all scientific research I am aware of, untrue -- unless the person already has some illness such as kidney disease that interferes with the processing of protein or filtering/disposal of the wastes. Hence the quotation marks around "factoid" -- BUT!!! I have no idea if that is true with chickens or not. While with humans it's a commonly-held fallacy, with chickens it may very well be that large amounts of protein are injurious to their health. However, I'm not finding much by way of scientific evidence one way or another.

Does anyone have any links to studies researching protein intake on chickens?

Edited to add: considering there are so many amino acids a chicken can't produce for itself, I'd think if anything they'd need a relatively high protein intake. Still researching for info on excessive protein intake damage.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

If you can get it, what is the best grain to use for fodder? Or the top 3 maybe?

Wheat is the best

Millet (brown is most common here in FL)

BOSS

Rye sprouts really well

Barley grows well too


if you want to fodder oats, soak them in ACV water before trying to sprout

 

[DMRippy]

Quote: x2 some are harder to find in some areas.

 

[Hollowoakfarm]

Okay, I have to ask. What do the birds get from the sprouts that they don't get in their normal running around chicken day? And why keep them in the dark so they can't do photosynthesis? I'm not seeing the benefit behind this.

Edited to add the word "can't". Makes a difference!

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

I dont do fodder in the dark, no reason to since we have good weather year round.

 

[DMRippy]

Huh. I know protein is tricky for people with chronic kidney disease because their kidneys can't process the waste products created by the breakdown of protein. This is a problem healthy humans don't have -- healthy humans can consume a massive amount of protein without ill effect or damage, cumulative or otherwise.

I have heard the same "factoid" (forgive the term!) with chickens as I have with humans -- that what would usually be considered excessive protein is dangerous to their health. In humans, this is, according to all scientific research I am aware of, untrue -- unless the person already has some illness such as kidney disease that interferes with the processing of protein or filtering/disposal of the wastes. Hence the quotation marks around "factoid" -- BUT!!! I have no idea if that is true with chickens or not. While with humans it's a commonly-held fallacy, with chickens it may very well be that large amounts of protein are injurious to their health. However, I'm not finding much by way of scientific evidence one way or another.

Does anyone have any links to studies researching protein intake on chickens?

I have not done that kind of research. I really just go by what I read for the kidney damage. 40% seemed best to feed.... for most animals. Also, layer feed of years gone by had higher protein than they do now so my goal was to reduce my feed bill and up the protein to about 25%. That seemed in the safe range. They did great on it too. I still mix it in my pullet grower, but my new layer feed is 22% and they are doing well and I don't have to kill myself to keep up with spent grains and mixing feed. I do feed it wet when I get more than I can dry.

 

[DMRippy]

Sprouts don't need sun. It is like the seed in the ground, no sun. Fodder does not need much if any sun, but it does not hurt. The first 1/2 of fodder is the sprout stage once it would be above ground then the sun would come into play. Think about when you remove something that has been sitting on the ground for a little while. There is still pale grass under it, still green, just not as green as it would be if it had sun.