Saw a protein thread and thought to myself......

[Shamo Hybrid]

Do you think we can use protein shakes for chickens? You know, like the ones bodybuilders take? To give them an added kick or two of extra protein to help develop their muscles and whatever other health benefits protein offers?

Perhaps I shall experiment, Hmmmm.......

 

[snow5164]

Why would you? It’s made for human consumption and doesn’t contain anything that birds need to lay eggs ,

Sounds silly to me and really how are you going to teach them to suck it up the straw

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

Why would you? It’s made for human consumption and doesn’t contain anything that birds need to lay eggs ,

Sounds silly to me and really how are you going to teach them to suck it up the straw

Well, you guys are always talking about, "it's only 14% protein, only 18% protein, protein this protein that, not enough not ENOUGH!!" or whatever......so I just figure you could do something like what I suggested. Perhaps mix a shake and incorporate it into your fermented feed. OOOooh damn, maybe I'm on to something....... I should patent my invention before you leeches steal my idea!

 

[Seaecho]

I mix my birds' seed (for their brunch) with veggies, fruit and plain yogurt. Yogurt has protein, so does scrambled eggs and cat food. Any of those will up the protein.

 

[Folly's place]

Stick with a fresh quality all-flock feed, and some extras. Don't overdo, or overthink, this.
Mary

 

[Seaecho]

^^Agree

 

[casportpony]

Most feed companies make a higher protein lay pellet or crumble.

 

[Mosey2003]

Well, there are a few reasons. Personally, I don't feed chickens dairy, so whey protein would not be a high choice for me. Secondly, it's for people, and going to be pretty expensive to use as a supplemental poultry protein. Third, I'm not confident that human protein shake powder would even have the essential amino acids I'm after for the birds anyway.

Personally, I use meatbird/broiler crumbles, since it's the only local feed I have that includes animal protein (fish meal typically). I have great-laying, healthy, non-obese birds that reach point of lay quickly, so I'm sticking with it. Plus, it's high enough protein to offset the garden scraps my dad likes to throw them.

 

[glib]

I used to return the whites (cooked, crumbled, and fermented one day in the fermented feed) to the chickens. They are helpful to them, being the highest quality protein, while cooking and fermenting makes them digestible. While I got to keep all the choline, the vitamin A, vitamin K2, cholesterol, and minerals in the yolk.