Opinions?

[Sammster]

I saw the following on another site, and wondered: any validity to this claim? I have an older girl whom I believe no longer lays, a mostly blind girl and a few who are weathering in after tough molts. During the heavy part of their molts, I was offering black soldier fly larva for the extra protein. But haven't for some time now, because I didn't want them to suffer a nutrition imbalance. Other than regular feed, I've been giving them pumpkin or squash seeds, as they become available. None of them are currently laying.

"Nutritional yeast (and brewer's yeast) is generally considered good for chickens as a supplement, offering B vitamins, protein, minerals, and immune support, improving gut health and growth, though moderation is key due to potential excess nitrogen in some products. It's a natural way to boost immunity and nutrition, helping with things like niacin deficiency, but should be mixed into feed rather than given alone because it's powdery.
Benefits
Rich in Nutrients: A good source of protein, B vitamins, trace minerals (selenium, zinc, potassium), and antioxidants.
Immune Support: Contains beta-glucans and mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) that boost immune response and help fight pathogens.
Gut Health: Promotes beneficial gut microbiota, improves intestinal integrity, and enhances nutrient absorption.
Growth & Productivity: Can improve growth performance and egg production in layers.
Niacin Source: Helps prevent niacin deficiency, especially in waterfowl."

 

[Ridgerunner]

In my opinion, there are a huge number of potential supplements or additives or just miracle foods for chickens, humans, dogs, parakeets or anything else. If they are receiving a balanced diet they don't really need (have to have) any of those. If their diet is not balanced then that imbalance needs to be addressed. Do you have any reason to believe that there is a need for any specific supplement?

If you give that yeast as a supplement in a small enough amount that it will not cause any harm (too much of any specific item or restrict them getting enough of something else through not eating other things) then I don't see any harm in giving that. Will it help anything? Probably not if you are not seeing a deficiency. The big advantage may be that it makes you feel better as you are doing something for them. Nothing wrong with that as long as it doesn't harm them.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I saw the following on another site, and wondered: any validity to this claim? I have an older girl whom I believe no longer lays, a mostly blind girl and a few who are weathering in after tough molts. During the heavy part of their molts, I was offering black soldier fly larva for the extra protein. But haven't for some time now, because I didn't want them to suffer a nutrition imbalance. Other than regular feed, I've been giving them pumpkin or squash seeds, as they become available. None of them are currently laying.

"Nutritional yeast (and brewer's yeast) is generally considered good for chickens as a supplement, offering B vitamins, protein, minerals, and immune support, improving gut health and growth, though moderation is key due to potential excess nitrogen in some products. It's a natural way to boost immunity and nutrition, helping with things like niacin deficiency, but should be mixed into feed rather than given alone because it's powdery.
Benefits
Rich in Nutrients: A good source of protein, B vitamins, trace minerals (selenium, zinc, potassium), and antioxidants.
Immune Support: Contains beta-glucans and mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) that boost immune response and help fight pathogens.
Gut Health: Promotes beneficial gut microbiota, improves intestinal integrity, and enhances nutrient absorption.
Growth & Productivity: Can improve growth performance and egg production in layers.
Niacin Source: Helps prevent niacin deficiency, especially in waterfowl."

Do you still have a link to this claim? I’d be very curious to see if there’s any research behind it.

Not saying that it sounds bogus, but clickbait is EVERYWHERE these days.

 

[Sammster]

In my opinion, there are a huge number of potential supplements or additives or just miracle foods for chickens, humans, dogs, parakeets or anything else. If they are receiving a balanced diet they don't really need (have to have) any of those. If their diet is not balanced then that imbalance needs to be addressed. Do you have any reason to believe that there is a need for any specific supplement?

If you give that yeast as a supplement in a small enough amount that it will not cause any harm (too much of any specific item or restrict them getting enough of something else through not eating other things) then I don't see any harm in giving that. Will it help anything? Probably not if you are not seeing a deficiency. The big advantage may be that it makes you feel better as you are doing something for them. Nothing wrong with that as long as it doesn't harm them.

I do not have any specific reason to believe there is a need for supplementation. I did wonder if it might help the girls during winter (Michigan) and molt. And I found the claim interesting. Really just wondered what this knowledgeable group thought of it.

 

[Sammster]

Do you still have a link to this claim? I’d be very curious to see if there’s any research behind it.

Not saying that it sounds bogus, but clickbait is EVERYWHERE these days.

No. That was the entire claim. I was just curious to see if it seemed to hold any validity or value to the experienced chicken keepers in this group

 

[Apis mellifera]

During the heavy part of their molts, I was offering black soldier fly larva for the extra protein. But haven't for some time now, because I didn't want them to suffer a nutrition imbalance.

Feeding meat protein after the start of a molt is to late. Commercial feeds are all plant proteins causing nutrition imbalance. A few weeks before your flock molts add some meat proteins. My flock will never win the molt contest.

 

[Yardmom]

I don't know about if the commercial feed as far as chickens go needs more B etc, but regular chick feed and layer feed do not have all the niacin ducks need. Many duck owners have had ducklings get weak legs that have recovered after adding nutritional yeast (many more owners add it to prevent health issues in ducklings).

 

[Ridgerunner]

@Yardmom I know I'm getting nitpicky but the original post was about chickens, not ducks. Some feeds meant for chickens will not have as much niacin as ducks need. If the bag has a picture of a duck on it then it should, but many bags just have pictures of chickens. I know that is a generalization and may not always be true. But niacin and ducks are a known need. There are different ways to supplement niacin. Game birds tend to need more protein than chickens. That's why game bird feeds generally contain more protein than feeds meant purely for chickens. Not that the extra protein hurts the chickens, it's just that the chickens don't have the need that most game birds do. I'm fully aware that a lot of people on this forum don't agree with me there.

@Sammster we all have different opinions on this stuff. I'm just giving my opinion. Some people think they need to swallow a tablespoon of vinegar every day or eat various herbs, spices, or whatever for their health. Maybe some individuals need specific things, but that does not mean every one of us have that same need. Some people feel that you are abusing your chickens if you don't give them a certain thing, while many of us have happy healthy chickens without giving them that special "something".

 

[K0k0shka]

Not saying that it sounds bogus, but clickbait is EVERYWHERE these days.

Not just clickbait, but a spreading obsession with supplements, magical cures/prevention and all kinds of woo marketed as "natural" and used indiscriminately. That is usually a red flag for me. So I would avoid. A complete formula poultry feed (that's at least 18-20% protein) is all they need, and that's enough, even in winter.

 

[Penpal]

In the wild, chicken eat a lot of bugs. I don't see anything wrong with continuing with the BSFL.

At least you'll know where they are coming from, if you are growing them at home. If you are buying dead BSFL then read the package carefully.