High Protein Treats?

[HollyWoozle]

Chickens are supposed to be the decedents of dinosaurs like the mighty T-Rex. Therefor a good protein for growing feathers needs animal based protein.

Thanks for the helpful info!

 

[boz]

I have had my six ex-battery/caged hens for about 2.5 weeks now and they are doing really well. They are eating layers crumble/mash as that is what they are accustomed to but I am starting to mix in some layers pellets so they get used to those. They have occasionally had a little mixed corn as a treat late in the afternoon.

I understand that growing new feathers requires a lot of protein and was wondering whether to incorporate some high protein snacks a few times a week? Several of them are quite bald and are growing new feathers. I know they shouldn't have snacks or treats until later in the day when they've mostly filled up on proper food.

What high protein treats do you recommend? I know that scrambled egg is a popular choice, as well as peas, mealworms and all sorts of other things.

I use hole corn, crack con, laying mash, and sunflower seeds

 

[Aerliss]

Just be aware of UK laws regarding feeding animal protein and dried mealworms to chickens.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I have had my six ex-battery/caged hens for about 2.5 weeks now and they are doing really well. They are eating layers crumble/mash as that is what they are accustomed to but I am starting to mix in some layers pellets so they get used to those. They have occasionally had a little mixed corn as a treat late in the afternoon.

I understand that growing new feathers requires a lot of protein and was wondering whether to incorporate some high protein snacks a few times a week? Several of them are quite bald and are growing new feathers. I know they shouldn't have snacks or treats until later in the day when they've mostly filled up on proper food.

What high protein treats do you recommend? I know that scrambled egg is a popular choice, as well as peas, mealworms and all sorts of other things.

Regardless of what you feed now, you aren't likely to see a dramatic improvement in feathering till after molt.

 

[HollyWoozle]

Regardless of what you feed now, you aren't likely to see a dramatic improvement in feathering till after molt.

Thank you. I just wondered if I ought to be supplementing their diet for optimum health, given that they are likely putting a lot of energy into feathering (one hen in particular is growing feathers like mad). Your replies are very helpful.

 

[snow5164]

Tuna , eggs, sprouted lentils ( super easy to make), just soak them , drain and they sprout a few leaves ....easy and cheap ..... hope you got the information you were looking for , sounded a bit extreme to me .

 

[Cindy in PA]

You and I agree on a lot of things and manage flocks in similar ways. For example, all my birds free range and trapped raccoons get skinned, grilled and fed back to chickens.
However there are several things in this post that are either misleading or utterly false and I have to clarify to insure others have correct information.

Bone meal can be a source of calcium and phosphorus for layers but doesn't provide any protein.
https://www.feedipedia.org/node/219

True that feathers aren't a great source of animal protein. They are, however, utilized by some commercial broiler and layer operations because they are otherwise a waste product. Nevertheless the heat and steam processing of feathers into meal creates a cysteine rich animal protein that is 60% digestible. They are also used in feeding ruminants.
Most bagged chicken feed is vegetarian but even in those that contain animal protein, which might be fishmeal or porcine meal, yet I've never seen feather meal in a bag of poultry feed.
https://afs.ca.uky.edu/poultry/poultry-feathers-what-can-they-be-used
There is a difference between poultry meal, poultry by-product meal and feather meal. The first two are exclusive of feathers.

Suspicions aside, when peas are listed as a primary ingredient, they are one of a variety of field peas like trapper, Austrian winter, cow, crowder, etc.. Regardless of whether they are green or yellow peas, there is little variation in the nutrients therein. They are added as a source of protein because they average around 23% CP and though rich in lysine, they are deficient in methionine and cystine. They complement other vegetative seed/grain ingredients like canola which have a different amino acid profile.

I want to stress and assure others that there is no chance of peanut hulls being in chicken feed whether the label lists peas or not. The hulls themselves contain about 60% fiber and no protein. They may be a low quality source of roughage for ruminants but of no value as a fiber source to monogastric animals. Aside from peanut hulls having no nutritive value for poultry, a high fungal aflatoxin potential associated with peanuts would preclude any manufacturer from considering them as an ingredient in chicken feed.
https://www.feedipedia.org/node/696

While I agree that darkling beetles and their larvae may carry a variety of parasites when found in coop, henhouse and commercial poultry bedding, mealworms bought from pet stores and online sources haven't been exposed to those parasites.

I was curious about your statement that peanut hulls aren't used in poultry feed. A few years back I tried Homegrown (Purina) no soy feed stocked by my feed store. It had peanut hulls listed as an ingredient. I used the two bags I bought, but decided not to use it again just because peanut hulls didn't sound like a great ingredient to me. Don't know if the feed still has it.