Protein is an essential nutrient for chickens and should be included in their diet to promote growth and optimal health. However, it’s essential to limit feeding too much at once as this could prove harmful.
As the molting season draws near, you can pamper your flock with high protein snacks to help them recover and look their best!
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Cooked Eggs
Chickens love boiled eggs, which provide a high source of protein. Furthermore, they contain essential vitamins and minerals like potassium and iron.
Cooked eggs boast a high satiety index, meaning they will help keep you full for longer and reduce calorie intake later in the day. Furthermore, they’re packed with essential vitamins A, D, and E.
Simple to prepare and time-efficient, these breakfast sandwiches can be used as a quick breakfast or addition to sandwiches or egg salad.
Eggs can be used in place of meat or chicken scraps as a treat for your birds, but remember that protein-rich treats should only be offered every few days and never make up more than 25% of their overall diet.
Another way to give your chickens high protein snacks is by feeding them mealworms or black soldier fly larvae. Dried versions of these bugs can be mixed into their feed or offered as a treat on their own.
Fish
Fish is an ideal protein snack for chickens, offering 16-30% of their recommended daily amount of protein as well as essential vitamins and minerals.
Before giving your chickens fish for consumption, it is essential to inspect its quality. Unscrupulous merchants may add salt, water or sand to bulk up the meal which could reduce its nutritional value.
Additionally, it is wise to avoid giving your chickens canned fish as it often contains preservatives and additives which could be hazardous for the hens.
Another high protein snack option for your chickens is raw fish. Chopping it into small pieces before feeding it to them helps ensure they consume all of the fish and prevents any leftovers from spoiling.
Meat Scraps
Meat scraps make an excellent high protein snack for chickens. These treats can be a great addition to their flock’s diet during times when foraging is limited due to winter weather.
Mealworms or black soldier fly larvae are another protein source that hens will enjoy. You can mix these treats into their feed or offer them separately to your birds.
Meat scraps, such as turkey bones, can be cut into bite-size pieces and fed to your chickens. However, be mindful of their salt content; too much salty food could prove detrimental.
It is essential to remember that feeding table scraps does not replace nutrient-balance in your flock’s regular feed and should not make up more than 10% of their daily meal. Feeding too many of these snacks can lead to slow growth rates and decreased egg production.
Organ Meat
Organ meats (also referred to as offal) may not be the most popular of meats, but they offer plenty of nutritional value. Humans have been eating these delicacies for thousands of years and continue to be enjoyed in many cultures around the world.
Organ meats like the liver, tongue or heart are packed with essential nutrients that can promote overall wellness and strength in the body. These include B vitamins, iron, zinc, selenium as well as fat-soluble vitamins like Vitamins A and D.
They’re also high in protein, making them an excellent choice for muscle building and maintenance.
These meats are high in choline, which may enhance brain function and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Furthermore, they’re an excellent source of bioavailable heme iron–iron that your body can readily absorb and utilize.
Organ meats are an ideal option for anyone looking to add high-quality protein into their diet. Plus, they’re more cost effective than other cuts of meat so you won’t break your budget.
