Hog wash spread by folks that don't comprehend biology, which I'm not claiming to have perfect knowledge either but according top my understanding protein and carbs have the same amount of energy.. 4 calories per gram.
I couldn't agree more, actually.
Corn and soy are both valued sources of energy and nutrients that *appear* easier and more affordable to grow. Either can likely be bought in organic forms if that is important. I view them as no different than wheat or oats or peas or any other crop.. just heavily politicized, possibly lobbied against, and fear mongered like crazy. If they were useless then why do they sustain so many lesser developed nations. For me both are better feed stuff than say rice. Corn actually has about 7% protein. But even though I personally see rice as useless.. it actually has some amino acids in it that help complete other feeds like peas despite being extremely low protein. Seems the key is digging deep and not falling for headlines or attention grabbing ploys.. which lead to all kinds of fads and misinformation. When you read the actual content.. it can be more revealing.. let me just use ONE example.. pink sweetener, saccharin.. was shown to cause cancer in lab rodents.. then read on to note they WAY over dosed them to cause that condition and under normal conditions that may NEVER happen. I have YET to see say Sweet n Low sued from someone dying or even fighting cancer caused by it's use, despite it having been used for decades already and living in what (as far as I can tell) is the most sue happy judgement awarding state of the country.
Yellow corn will give yellower yolks than wheat or white corn.. which could produce platinum colored yolks.. very odd looking if you've never seen it, yet still... nutritionally the same TO an extent...
ALL (chicken) eggs will be 34% protein and 64% fat (energy not weight/volume)... the micro nutrients or maybe macro nutrients ( I don't understand the whole concept exactly) will vary.
For me personally, I'm not fond of soy beans or most soy products. But my husband being Korean and my daughter both enjoy tofu and all that. So I don't eat what I don't like simply because life is too short.
Corn, on the other hand.. I love corn and look forward to it every summer.. grilled on the cob, elotes, whatever.. knee high by the fourth of July!
One bit of surface information.. soy *can* be higher in estrogen than some other things.. which MIGHT impact something IF GENETICALLY predisposed some how (say breast cancer, did you know it happens in men to?)
I can't remember if those allergic to soy can still eat eggs from hens that eat soy based diets but it looks like it does not cause issues with consumption...
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6977026/
But, if they are sensitive to dust of the soy inhaling or on the skin.. I haven't seen research or had experience in this department.
Hog wash spread by folks that don't comprehend biology, which I'm not claiming to have perfect knowledge either but according top my understanding protein and carbs have the same amount of energy.. 4 calories per gram.
Chickens are homeostasis type beings with a core body temperature around 104-107 f..
Some folks like to feed frozen corn as a cooling and refreshing treat.
As far as I can tell.. the simple act of foraging increase body temperature over sitting still.. but that doesn't mean we shouldn't allow it.
Chickens and most other animals will eat to meet their energy need.. which takes less calories (energy) to maintain their core body temp in the heat than in the cold relatively.
Feeding corn by itself is simply nutrient deficient and could cause other health issues. As part of a balanced diet.. it's not of concern. I no longer line in the irrigated desert of Bakersfield, where it can often reach 100+ and did.. but when I did and fed a corn based layer diet.. as that's what we are told we must do.. I had zero heat related, or behavioral issues. Set up counts..
I have out of town company but will try to keep checking in for updates.
I like your reasoning. I am fairly new to chickens but from experience with other animals I figure higher nutrient levels are better than meeting the minimum requirements. Most of mine are about 3.5 - 4 months and I have a few that are about 9 weeks. I still feed chick starter / broiler grower crumbles. I am currently feeding Modesto Milling brand that is organic, soy and corn free, with 22% protein minimum. They say to feed this up to 9 weeks. This is a somewhat local brand and they offer different formulations of organic feed. Other than chick starter they have finisher pellets which they say to feed after 8 weeks but it only has 17% protein. And they have layer feed. I would like to know what you feed so I can determine if this is similar to what I feed. Thank you!Hi Jackie!
That's a great question.
Its TRUE that birds NOT in lay (juveniles, roosters, broody's, molter's) should NOT be fed "LAYER". or calcium in excess of 3% long term as it *COULD* (doesn't mean will) cause issues including gout, kidney failure, and even sudden death.
Some folks will feed only layer ever including roosters and may never have an issue. Others will never have their birds necropsied and will presume a death was a heart attack. Some have had issues but caught it and made corrections according to their new understanding.
For ME.. I have BANK invested in my flock.. not many $3 birds around here.. aside from the time spent already to get where I am I in my chicken breeding adventure... Feeding something knowingly that *could* cause issues for one of my valued roosters would be doing myself and my flock a huge disservice. So even though "Flock Raiser" cost more than "layer".. oyster shell is cheaper than protein, which a 3% more of the fill in layer feed comparatively. But also, "layer" has less amino acids and protein in addition to the extra calcium. This makes them MINIMUM feed required to sustain light bodied layers like Leghorn in laying condition. I'm not aiming for minimums in my household.
To ME.. after genetics, everything immune system related starts with diet and nutrition. Since making the switch to Flock Raiser away from layer... my older birds now have MUCH less harsh molts and return to lay sooner. They become less withdrawn than previous molts.
Since it has more nutrients.. I also don't need to worry about they are getting free range (most grass is low protein and bugs are high fat) and gives a little leeway if I want to offer lower nutrient snacks on occasion. (I don't do corn or scratch, bit many do)
Now, I am an AVID hatcher... and 22% protein was shown in studies to give the highest hatch rate... which to me says more nutrients inside the eggs my family is consuming.. And I keep chickens BECAUSE I want want my birds and eggs to be better than those of "Big Chicken", not equal to.
That being said, the whole kidney thing is PARTLY genetic.. some folks have fed ONLY (organic) layer feed and had roosters live past 9 years old. It isn't MY personal choice.
But with NO fear mongering.. this is the information as I see it. Please decide what you are comfortable with.. for YOUR flock!
I now never switch, which is good for me as I have a constant barrage of chicks, broody's, molter's, layers.. what have you.
Please note.. by law in the US, each feed is labeled with the appropriate age and species it's formulated for. Layer feed is formulated for layers.
Terms.. grower, layer, all flock, flock raiser, meat bird, breeder, starter, etc... all are confusing terms made up by different companies. The MAIN difference is always going to be protein and calcium content followed by amino acids and the differences diminish after that;. I buy the one I like the ingredients of the most with good amino acid content. I have spent hours upon hours at my local feed stores reading and comparing labels.
Best wishes whatever you decide!
ETA: fed to juveniles, excess calcium content can even stunt growth and delay onset of laying.
