Rice + Cockspur grass?

[Maiahr]

I have 2 quick questions
1. Rice is cheap where I am, so I am feeding my chicken with 20% rice, rest is sprouting Wheat and about 5% corn. I am giving calcium as well. Should I reduce the rice or keep it to 15-20%?

2. Very popular on the chicken market here is Cockspur grass. Chickeners buy it for layers and they say it does miracles, i.e. they lay many eggs. Any comments on Cockspur grass? If yes, how much?

(Mixed fourage is very expensive here so please don't tell me to add layers feed, etc etc )
Thank you.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

My concern is that most varieties of rice are very low in protein and especially essential amino acids. The same can be said for corn and wheat. Is there anything you can include to enhance the amino acid balance? Most prepared feeds get a balance of amino acids by blending grain with legumes like peas or beans. (Legumes need to be heat treated though before feeding. Even after blending a grain and legume, synthetic amino acids like lysine and methionine need to be added to give the chickens what they need.
If you have animal protein available, that can work well. Things like pork or fishmeal.
I really have no experience with the grass you speak of.

 

[Maiahr]

Thank you.. I always thought rice is rich on lysine.. The Latin name of that grass is Echinochloa crus-galli.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Thanks for the latin name.
I'm sorry but no. Of all the cereal grains, rice has the lowest protein profile.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/rice-protein
Richest sources of lysine are red meat, pork, poultry, cheese, fish, eggs and then vegetarian sources like soy, beans, fenugreek seeds, etc.
Vegetative sources are - https://aminomantra.co.nz/blogs/news/lysine-rich-foods-for-a-plant-based-diet
I found this for the nutritional value of the grass.
https://www.feedipedia.org/node/720

Another table for the needs of chickens that may help you formulate a diet available in your area.
https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g8352

 

[Maiahr]

OK, just to have it in the records - the lab results came out. Cockspur grass - 11.13% protein. I have inserted this in Wikipedia, it may help someone in the future.

 

[kwik-kwak]

Interesting, later I may also want to compose some of the feed myself for my ducks (and my future chickens). Funny to read that they like to eat that cockspur grass, it was here in our garden (and very annoyingly stuck all over our clothes). They can enjoy it next year. I hadn't noticed they sell it a lot here, I'll keep an eye out for it.

Buy your special rice for animals? I didn't think rice was very cheap here. We always find the price a bit disappointing in the store. The duck food we buy here costs 20 lv for 20kg.

You probably have a lot of poultry, then the price will rise quickly anyway.

If you have a piece of garden to left, you could also grow your own peas or other beans.