i like that! iv been feeding my chicks, flax seeds chia seed and coconut flakes....really good high omegas
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Thank you for posting the link. It contains exactly the kind of information I was looking for.To the OP - your original plan to use 5% fish meal is right on; Jeff Mattocks of Fertrell advises that greater than 5% can cause a fishy smell in the eggs so 5% is my target (again, that's by weight). See "Pastured Poultry Nutrition" for more. http://www.sustainablepoultry.ncat.org/downloads/chnutritionhpinew.pdf
I can't say for sure, but the AVMA has recently released a couple of studies showing that soaking or steaming hay makes/changes protein making it much less available ( research is being done because horses with heaves / copd which are commonly fed soaked/steamed hay to reduce dust and spores)Hi, I have been trying to formulate a corn/wheat/soy free feed for my layers because many of the people I sell eggs to have requested it. Here is what I have so far:
53% oats (soaked then ground)
29% split peas (soaked then ground)
8% alfalfa meal
5% fish meal
2% kelp
2% crushed eggshell
1% DE
trace of mineral salt
Everything is weighed dry, the oats and peas are then soaked for 24 hrs in acidified water, then ground. I am feeding at a rate of almost 5 oz per bird per day. I am worried if they are getting enough calories, and if it's too high in protein. Since I am feeding animal protein, I don't think there is problem with the amino acid content. Am I wrong? I have been thinking of adding a few ounces of fat for calories.
I've been doing a bunch of reading but there isn't much solid info on how soaking changes the available nutrition in grains and peas. Anyone have any experience with soaking? Do you need to feed more or less than unsoaked?
I do know the birds I am feeding this to are having a much easier time with the heat. They are hardly stressed at all, while my other birds on regular feed are panting.
Any feedback will be appreciated.
Thanks.