Sources of Omega Fatty Acids for Laying Hens

[amartinlb]

What are some sources of Omega Fatty Acids that can be mixed in the feed or fed as treats?

I was thinking when mine are laying later this summer to feed some seafood to give them (and the eggs....for us since we aren't big eaters of seafood) a source of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids.

I was thinking of the following but wanted to know what you all thought:
Sliced/Chopped Shrimps
Sliced/Chopped Saltwater Fish
Clams, particularly Mussells since my son could easily harvest those off the jettis on our beaches here
Whole Salt Water fish for them to pick at and eat what they want
Salmon (technically brackish, since they are found in saltwater, freshwater, and brackish but whatever...)

What do you all think? My son is interested in finding out as well.

-Anna

 

[GaDawg]

idk
but do you think this will give your eggs a fishy taste, I have read hear somewhere that might could happen

 

[columbusguys]

I think some people may feed their chickens flax seed to supply omega-3 fatty acids to the diet. I also think hemp seed has a lot of omega-3 and omega-6. Soybeans and soybean oil have a decent amount of omega-6.

 

[Akane]

Nuts (especially walnuts) and flaxseed are some good sources. Increasing omega fatty acids by any source can give a fishy taste to eggs.

 

[CovenantCreek]

Mine get a layer feed made with fish meal, I also add more (for higher protein) and offer it free choice. I provide roasted flax as a supplement as well. I think my feed also contains flax as well. Free ranging your flock will also increase the Omega-3s in the eggs. In nearly 2 yrs of giving my girls fish meal I've never had a fishy tasting egg.

 

[CoopCrazy]

I wondered about this i give my rescue dog Fish Oil in her food and wondered if I could/should give it to my girls:? I use the gel caps and just cut/poke the end and squirt it onto the dry food.

 

[CovenantCreek]

Quote:
I give my dogs the capsules as well. For me, it would be too much trouble to try to give them to the flock and not enough benefit. Even though my girls free range all day, I like that the fish meal adds protein as well as fatty acids. If your flock is small it might be worth trying.

 

[CoopCrazy]

Quote:
I give my dogs the capsules as well. For me, it would be too much trouble to try to give them to the flock and not enough benefit. Even though my girls free range all day, I like that the fish meal adds protein as well as fatty acids. If your flock is small it might be worth trying.

Thanks i only have a few girls right now. So i think i'll give it a shot

 

[amartinlb]

What about an occasional whole fish (still full with the guts and everything, or just a fillet) or shrimp once in a while to give them some seafood protein?

 

[Sequin]

On occasion I will buy flax seed and mix that with their feed, as it isn't terribly expensive or labor intensive to mix and add. You can also add flax seed oil, hemp seed oil, etc to a warm mash mixture periodically.