Soy bean (milled) for extra protein source

[Kirmi8]

Hi! I’d like to boost protein for my hens but my feed store doesn’t have any I medicated starter feed but they suggested I could mix in some Soy beans with my layer ration.
Is this a good idea? Or is it going to cause issues. Thanks!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Soy beans, Soybean Meal, and other products of Soy are good protein sources with relatively balanced amino acid profiles - routinely used in animal feeds for that reason.

However, Soy contains some anti-nutritive properties which can interfere with digestion, most of which can be addressed by proper heat treatment (generally, this has already been done to soy meal used for animal feed). Some polysachharides adressed by enzyme additions or deliberate fermentation, and most of the phsphorus content isn't useful to chickens, passing out in the feces. Oh, and its pretty low in B vitamins, too.

Used properly, its pretty close to great. Used wrong? It has some problems. Fewer than most individual feedstuffs, but not nothing.

 

[Kirmi8]

Soy beans, Soybean Meal, and other products of Soy are good protein sources with relatively balanced amino acid profiles - routinely used in animal feeds for that reason.

However, Soy contains some anti-nutritive properties which can interfere with digestion, most of which can be addressed by proper heat treatment (generally, this has already been done to soy meal used for animal feed). Some polysachharides adressed by enzyme additions or deliberate fermentation, and most of the phsphorus content isn't useful to chickens, passing out in the feces. Oh, and its pretty low in B vitamins, too.

Used properly, its pretty close to great. Used wrong? It has some problems. Fewer than most individual feedstuffs, but not nothing.

So if I use it just as a supplement (scratch?) would that be okay? Or do I need to calculate how much to add to a bag of layer ration to ensure things are in the correct proportion? Or can I just add some in and hope for the best? Lol.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Proportions matter. Hope is a strategy, but rarely a successful one.

Starter feed is typically high protein, layer feed typically is not. Which are you using? and are you offering scratch, or do you mean throwing soy product on the ground for them to play with and consume?

Sorry, I'm confused by the above post.

 

[Kirmi8]

Proportions matter. Hope is a strategy, but rarely a successful one.

Starter feed is typically high protein, layer feed typically is not. Which are you using? and are you offering scratch, or do you mean throwing soy product on the ground for them to play with and consume?

Sorry, I'm confused by the above post.

The feed store I’m using only has medicated starter and I don’t want to use that. So I have layer ration pellets that I would like to add some protein to. And yes, scratch - just toss in once a day for as a treat. I have 39 hens and 1 rooster ranging 6 months to 18 months of age.

 

[Happy hen lover]

Sorry to but in but I couldn't fine soy anything so I use floating fish food which some gobble up but not all at once protein is 38%. What you think ustorm?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

The feed store I’m using only has medicated starter and I don’t want to use that. So I have layer ration pellets that I would like to add some protein to. And yes, scratch - just toss in once a day for as a treat. I have 39 hens and 1 rooster ranging 6 months to 18 months of age.

There's nothing inherently wrong with using medicated Starter, assuming its medicated with Amprolium (most medicated feed in the US is), but that's a personal and flock specific decision to be made in consideration of past experiences with coccidia and local risk vectors. If you've ever eaten grocery store chickens, or grocery store eggs, you've eaten birds (or eggs from birds) feed medicated feed all their lives. Amprolium has no withdrawal period.

Layer rations are bad for the long term health of your rooster, less bad for any slow laying hens and any pre- point of lay birds. Its the excess calcium, which acculates in the organs over time, contributing to a host of (largely internal) issues.

Which layer are you using, and what's the nutritional label on your soy product say? Soy beans are not the same as soy meal, and there's lots of variation in soy meals...

With that information, its simple math.

 

[Kirmi8]

There's nothing inherently wrong with using medicated Starter, assuming its medicated with Amprolium (most medicated feed in the US is), but that's a personal and flock specific decision to be made in consideration of past experiences with coccidia and local risk vectors. If you've ever eaten grocery store chickens, or grocery store eggs, you've eaten birds (or eggs from birds) feed medicated feed all their lives. Amprolium has no withdrawal period.

Layer rations are bad for the long term health of your rooster, less bad for any slow laying hens and any pre- point of lay birds. Its the excess calcium, which acculates in the organs over time, contributing to a host of (largely internal) issues.

Which layer are you using, and what's the nutritional label on your soy product say? Soy beans are not the same as soy meal, and there's lots of variation in soy meals...

With that information, its simple math.

Hmm okay, I don’t have that info on hand but will investigate further.
I’m not against medicated feed, I just didn’t think I needed it, since I have no issues. I am having a heck of a time finding an all-flock feed locally.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Hmm okay, I don’t have that info on hand but will investigate further.
I’m not against medicated feed, I just didn’t think I needed it, since I have no issues. I am having a heck of a time finding an all-flock feed locally.

We've all been there. Was easier this spring, its starting to look a lot like it did last summer, sadly. I understand. Post when you can, the folks here at BYC will do their best to help.

Sorry to but in but I couldn't fine soy anything so I use floating fish food which some gobble up but not all at once protein is 38%. What you think ustorm?

@Happy hen lover Fish food is not chicken feed. It may be fine, it may not. It certainly doesn't appear on any resource I have access to for consideration as component of a chicken's diet. "Fish Meal" (essentially heat treated, dried, ground up fish bit) yes, floating (or falling) fish food, no. Link what you have, Brand, Label, Product, I'll see if anything pops up good or bad, but don't be surprised if the answer is "no idea" or more likely "very little idea"

 

[6BeachChicks]

Do you have grit and oyster shells available free choice?