- May 10, 2010
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Hi! It seems that my hens have started laying more eggs since I have been giving them sunflower seeds in addition to their layer feed. Does that sound right or is it just coincidental?
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Mix No. 6 above a I treat as scratch formulation used to cut a high protein complete feed during most of winter. The scratch mix represents about 1/3 or total ration, thus my birds are getting a little over 7% black oil sunflower seed.I feed whole black oil sunflower seeds at 5% of the ration. The shells add so much fiber they cut the protein and fat in half. It takes energy to digest shells.
Hulled seeds are very concentrated and 5% might be a little rich. Not sure!
I have seen scratch rations very high in sunflower seeds compared to what we often see, with sunflower seeds as a minor component.
Chicken Raising Made Easy, 1946:
Mix No. 6
Whole Corn or Milo, 25
Wheat, 25
Oats or Barley, 25
Sunflower seed, 25
Chickens can digest the shells just fine if they have access to grit. Sunflower seeds are very fatty and can actually be harmful long term if fed too much. They will develop internal fat which can cause things like fatty liver, and prolapse. Limit them. They are a treat.I have been giving my chickens whole sunflower seeds. I have read that too much can cause stomach issues from not breaking down the shells. They seem fine health wise. I have cut back on giving them daily. Are shelled better for them? Anyone have or had issues from giving too often?some of my chickens started laying at 15 weeks. Can giving them the seeds have helped in early laying?