Corn and soy are staple ingredients in commercial chicken feed, but it is possible to raise healthy, happy chickens without them. Here are some tips on doing just that.
This non-GMO, soy and corn-free layer feed has been specially developed to promote the overall health of laying hens. Packed with linseed oil to increase Omega 3 levels in eggs as well as minerals for strong egg shells and grit, it ensures their wellbeing.
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Corn is a source of energy
Although chickens are capable of living without corn and soy, we continue to feed them these ingredients because they provide energy for growth and production as well as an easier digestive experience than grasses or other wild foods. Furthermore, grains provide protein and fat necessary for healthy living in poultry flocks.
Corn is an excellent source of carbohydrates and has a high metabolisable energy content, making it an excellent energy source for poultry. However, too much corn-based diet may be harmful, so to ensure optimal performance it should be balanced out with other sources like molasses and sunflower seeds.
Corn husks and silk can also be fed to chickens safely, though its best to limit consumption. Instead of feeding these items regularly or as treats in their regular diet, try giving these treats as occasional treats or mixing it into their feed – this will help maintain energy levels while pampering them! We carry organic soy free grower food for young birds until they lay their first egg; supplemented with alfalfa, kelp and Fertrell Poultry Nutri-balancer in an easy-to-feed pellet.
Soy is a source of protein
Chickens may survive on pasture and insects, but in order to reach maturity and produce eggs they require additional feed. Unlike ruminants, poultry require a balanced diet with all essential components present at optimal levels – especially for laying hens who require protein and calcium as part of their feed.
Soybean meal is the predominant protein supplement used in poultry diets, featuring high levels of protein and an amino acid profile that complements corn’s main source of energy. Produced either directly from whole soybeans or as a byproduct from oil extraction processes, soybean meal also comes in modified forms that may have less detrimental impacts on animal health.
Are You Thinking about Not Feeding Soy to Chickens? While soy may be undesirable as a source of protein for poultry, alternative protein sources like fish meal, meat and bone meal, blood meal and poultry byproduct meal can offer adequate replacements – they may even reduce costs when used under guidance of an experienced nutritionist.
Soy is a source of fat
Soybean oil is an ideal source of fat for poultry diets. Packed full of fatty acids, it provides energy and provides energy to lay hens – however it may be limited in supply and more costly than alternative fat sources like fish meal, meat and bone meal, blood meal or poultry byproducts. When selecting suitable replacements it is crucial that they provide ample supplies, appropriate levels of nutrients and are priced affordably.
Soybeans used as feed contain phytoestrogens that may have adverse effects on human health, prompting many small farmers to explore ways of eliminating soybeans and soybean meal from their feeds.
Sunrise Farms provides soy free layer feed, designed to meet the protein and calcium requirements for laying hens. In addition, this feed includes supplements like kelp, organic alfalfa and Fertrell Poultry NutriBalancer; all in a 50 lb bag! If you would like more information on soy free feed please reach out – Sunrise Farms can assist!
Soy is a source of calcium
Soy can provide poultry diets with essential sources of calcium. Calcium plays a pivotal role in maintaining strong bones. Soy also serves as an excellent source of protein – essential components for poultry health. Unfortunately, soy may contain antinutrients such as soyatoxin, phytates, and oxalates which interfere with protein digestion enzymes; soy-free feed eliminates such antinutrients to facilitate better digestion.
The apparent ileal digestibility of calcium (AIDC) depends on numerous factors, including diet, bird species and physiological status. Furthermore, particle size and in vitro solubility have significant bearing on this parameter.
This soy free layer feed is specially formulated with extra calcium for strong egg shells and flaxseed to boost Omega-3 intake, in addition to organic wheat, kelp meal, Poultry Nutri-balancer and ground limestone for nutritional balance and ground limestone for ground limestone settling. Perfect for laying hens in 50-lb bags. It provides 17% protein and 2% fat, without GMO ingredients or fillers or binders – truly high quality feed that won’t let them down!
