Is there such thing as TOO MUCH protein for chickens??

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

My chickens are all egg layers, no meat birds here, but some are dual-purpose breeds. My breeds are: ISA Brownx1(5yo), Buff Orpx1(3yo), Easter Eggerx1(2-3yo), Dark Brahmax1(10wks), Cuckoo Maransx1(10wks), Black Australorpx1(10wks), Lavender Orpx1(10wks), Blue Laced Gold Wyandottex1(10wks), and Olive Eggerx1(10wks). They are all hens, but my ISA Brown is not laying anymore, and ofc the pullets aren't either. They occasionally get to free range in my urban backyard. Right now, they are eating Cluck & Co. All Flock pellets (20% protein), but the feed can change based on what the feed store has in stock. Anyway, I love treating my girls to snacks like scrambled eggs with herbs or Black Soldier Fly larvae, when I have it. I probably give them one of these almost every day... is that too much protein for them? Is there such thing? I've never noticed any health problems with any of my hens or pullets, but I don't want to give them anything in too high a quantity. As for other options for treats, I never have fruit or veggies on hand to give them, so I just give what I have, which is usually eggs or larvae. Additionally, they often don't eat the veggies that I do offer them (except red cabbage, they love that), but they really like most fruit.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I believe protein around 30% or more can start causing issues like gout, kidney failure, etc.

 

[chooki]

When I give my chicken too much food that are high in protein, such as prawn heads, meat scrap and fly larvae, they will stop eating at certain point. I assume my chickens know when enough is enough.

My chickens get to free range every day and eat plenty of grass.

If you give them a variety of food to choose from, normally they know when they need what.

 

[Perris]

is that too much protein for them? Is there such thing?

yes there is such a thing; is it too much in your particular case, impossible to say.

See Simpson and Raubenheimer The nature of nutrition 2012 for experimental work and discussion of varying protein/nonprotein levels. In short, eating excess protein relative to nonprotein shortens lifespans.

Chooki's advice is good.

 

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

When I give my chicken too much food that are high in protein, such as prawn heads, meat scrap and fly larvae, they will stop eating at certain point. I assume my chickens know when enough is enough.

My chickens get to free range every day and eat plenty of grass.

If you give them a variety of food to choose from, normally they know when they need what.

My hens have access to plenty of grass and dirt to dig and forage in.

 

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

What would be the signs of too much protein? I don't notice anything off about my hens... they all eat well, are active, lay well... but then again, I don't really know what to look for.

 

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

I believe protein around 30% or more can start causing issues like gout, kidney failure, etc.

How would I know if they are getting 30% or more protein?

 

[Perris]

What would be the signs of too much protein? I don't notice anything off about my hens... they all eat well, are active, lay well... but then again, I don't really know what to look for.

I don't think there are any, at least identified as such as yet.

You can judge your flock's condition by close observation of them. If they look good (plumage in good condition, posture good, comb and wattles red), are eating well, laying well, and are active, they are doing fine. Numbers on bags of feed are just averages and they vary hugely between manufacturers; they are not worth fussing over.

 

[rosemarythyme]

How would I know if they are getting 30% or more protein?

You'd need to assess their diet and calculate according to what you're feeding - you already know their feed is 20%. Dried BFSL are something like 35-45% protein. An egg is something like 12% protein. And so on.