How to get Omega-3 Eggs

[honeydoll]

WHat do I add to my chicken feed to get Omega 3 eggs? I thought of flax seed but how much should I give a day? I would really like to get Omega 3 added to my meaties as well. Does anyone know how to do this? I gave a little flax seed to my chickens a few days ago and they gobbled it up, so they like it. Would like some advice if anyone knows. Is there any other food source I can use to give them Omega 3's? I see Omega 3 eggs in the store and am to do the same plus trying to raise the healthiest chickens possible. This all started when my oldest boy was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor. He received radiation with devastating side effects and we want to prevent his tumor from growing and try to repair (thru faith and healthy diet) the brain damage done by radiation. So we are trying to become a back to nature, no chemical urban farm. WHAT A CHALLENGE this has been. Balancing between taking care of garden and animals has been a real learning experience, but we already see a difference. My son is doing more than they said he could already and I believe the Omega 3 & 6 added to his diet has a lot to do with that. He isn't crazy about fish so I am wanting to sneak it into the eggs and meat. Any help would be greatly appreciated . THANKS SO MUCH!!!

 

[horsejody]

I read an article once put put by the University of Nebraska. I'm not positive, but I think they said it was 10% of the ration. I'll look for it.

 

[horsejody]

OK, I can no longer find the University's research paper and feed formula online. However, I remembered that a very long time ago I posted it on another forum (yes, there are other poultry forums). I did a search and found the recipe.

Wheat 40kg
Oats 15kg
Layer Supplement 25kg
Flaxseed 10kg
Limestone 8kg
Canola oil 2kg
----------
Total 100 kg

 

[honeydoll]

Thanks. IS limestone in feed stores? How do I buy that? Sorry if this seems like a stupid question, I'm a newbie! Do they have limestone pellets for chickens? Thanks for the help!!

 

[horsejody]

I'm not sure where you would get limestone. You could buy good layer feed and add the flax seed.

 

[horsejody]

Make sure you get feed grade limestone. Ask your local feed mill. It's put in a lot of livestock feed. They can probably get it.

 

[highcountrychickens]

I'll do a little research with this, but it's my understanding that limestone is present as a source for calcium - if you have trouble finding limestone you may be able to substitute it with oyster shell. Again, this is just supposition, and HorseJody will probably have more information than I do, but it may work in a pinch. (I also don't know the ratio of oyster shell in a recipe - or if free choice will balance the mixture she listed)
Also, as much as it is possible, I would let your hens free range. Because of all of the beetles, other insects, grasses and whatnot that they find, and for reasons unknown, the eggs have a much different nutrition schedule... lower cholesterol, higher this lower that... there is a post here somewhere about it - you may want to do a search about it (I will too and will post it here if I find it first).
Be sure to give them treats, scraps, veggies, whatever you have left over from the kitchen or garden - I also give mine leftover fish - if your Son won't eat it, the hens will surely love it and he may get a boost he didn't anticipate.

 

[honeydoll]

Thanks guys. My hens free range all day at night I put them in the coop/run for safety. Again, thanks.