If you’re a newbie to raising meat chickens, you’ll find that there are several different kinds of feed available. Learn about grain-based formulas, grit, and cereals. You’ll also learn about medicated starter feed. Once your meat chickens are three weeks old, you can switch them over to broiler or grower formulas. And be sure to use a high-quality coop and provide them with clean water and plenty of sunshine.
Contents
Cereals
In most countries, poultry meat from broilers is the most inexpensive and readily available form of carcass. This is also the branch of animal production with the highest growth rate. Western poultry enterprises use cereal grains as their primary feed ingredient. But this type of feed does not meet the amino acid requirements of chickens. Cereals are often mixed with other protein-rich ingredients to meet the bird’s amino acid needs. Fish meal and oilseed meals are two examples of concentrated protein sources.
Grains
A good source of energy for chickens is hard red wheat. Unlike soft white wheat, hard red wheat is higher in protein. Also known as khorasan wheat, it’s also high in magnesium and zinc, and is a superior source of vitamin E. Kamut is an ancient Egyptian grain. Aside from being higher in protein, kamut also contains vitamins A and D. It’s also considered an excellent source of fiber and contains high levels of antioxidants.
Fermented grains
Fermented grains are the most nutritious food for chickens, and they are highly beneficial to your flock. Fermented grains are more digestible because the bacteria in the grains break down the tough outer layer and produce new vitamins and minerals. Fermented grains are better for your flock than feeds containing refined flour and preservatives. Fermented grains also eliminate the unpalatable husks from barley that prevent your chickens from obtaining their full nutritional value. Fermented grains can be made from expired grain that is too old to be palatable.
Medicated starter feed
Medicated starter feed is approved by the FDA for the production of eggs and meat from chickens. It can help prevent coccidiosis, a disease which can kill chicks. The medication is given in feed a few weeks before the chickens are hatched. The vaccines are not always effective, and some people don’t believe in the concept. But medicated starter feed can provide the same protection.
Grower feed
The difference between starter and grower chicken feed is the amount of protein. Starter chicken feed contains less protein, while grower chicken feed is higher in protein and less low in calcium. Starter chicken feed is better for pullets and broilers. Grower feed is more nutritious, with more calcium, but lower protein than starter. Starter chicken feed is best for first-time poultry owners. Layers and broilers need more protein, calcium, and vitamin A.
Sprouting grains
Sprouting grains in meat chicken feed is an excellent way to boost the nutritional content and ease digestion of meat-eating birds. The process of sprouting grains takes about nine days and produces a large quantity of roots and stems that are predigested, making them easier to digest. Plus, the added nutrients help your birds grow healthy and strong. Sprouting grains also reduces the amount of feed needed, which can save you money in the long run.
Soybean meal
Soybean meal is a major source of supplemental protein for poultry feeds. Its negative effects are often the result of high temperatures used during the process. While soybean meal contains high levels of protein, its content is still digestible, making it an ideal choice for poultry feeds. However, some producers have become concerned that soybeans are not suitable for poultry feeds. In addition, most soybeans produced in the United States come from genetically modified seed.
Salt
Humans use salt in their diets for a variety of reasons. Not only does it enhance taste, but it also helps adjust the acid-base balance and maintain the osmotic pressure of the extracellular fluid. Adding salt to meat chicken feed makes the feed more palatable, and it also improves the chicken’s digestive health. This way, more of the chicken’s natural energy will be used for more productive tasks.
Vitamins
Meat chickens require various vitamins and minerals to stay healthy. They need both fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins for metabolism. While poultry produce Vitamin C and absorb Vitamin D from sunlight, these vitamins must be present in the chicken feed to maintain their good health. The problem is that grains do not contain enough of these nutrients and producers have to supplement the commercial feed with mineral-rich ingredients such as oyster shell and bone meal. Fortunately, this practice is gaining popularity.
