If you want your hens to produce healthy eggs, supplement their diet with omega 3 fatty acids. Not only will this enhance their egg quality and plumage, but it can also strengthen their immune system.
To maximize your hens’ omega 3 content at an economical cost, feed flax seed or fish oil as a supplement. Other omega-3-rich supplements available are canola oil, fish meal and marine microalgae.
Contents
Grass-Fed
Grass-fed chicken feed is an organic, high-quality alternative to grain-based poultry food. This organic formula contains protein, essential amino acids and omega-3 for strong and healthy chickens.
In the warmer months, most grass-fed cattle can graze on pastures that are planted with a variety of forages such as grasses, grains and legumes. When it’s difficult for the animals to roam freely in wintertime, they may be fed corn or soy-based food instead.
These grass-fed meats boast a more desirable lipid profile compared to grain-fed beef, due to the absence of C16:0 and C14:0 cholesterol-raising saturated fatty acids (SFAs) found in grain-fed cattle versus their grass-fed counterparts.
Grass-fed beef contains more Vitamin E than grain-fed, helping prevent the oxidative deterioration of proteins in the meat. This keeps its vibrant red color. Furthermore, grass-fed meats contain more n-3 fatty acids which have anti-inflammatory effects and may lower your risk for heart disease and autoimmune responses like rheumatoid arthritis.
Organic
Organic chickens are raised without the use of synthetic fertilizers, antibiotics, genetically engineered feed or persistent pesticides. Their diet consists of organic grains and plant-based ingredients as well as certain natural substances which may be added as additives or supplements.
Organic chicken feed must not contain growth promoters or hormones, as these are strictly forbidden in organic production. To ensure your flock receives all essential nutrients, Nature’s Best(r) Organic Feeds is an excellent option.
Family-run company that manufactures organic poultry and livestock products with non-medicated ingredients. Their selection includes both bagged and bulk varieties.
Keep your flock healthy and content by offering them oyster shells for calcium, strong egg shells for digestion, vegetable scraps for fiber, and oyster shells for growth. Giving your flock more fresh food will encourage them to live longer.
Pastured
Pastured chicken feed is a ration made up of insects, seeds, grains and grasses – food sources rich in essential vitamins and minerals. Compared to conventional poultry diets, pastured poultry food has less saturated fat, is higher in vitamin A, D, E and beta carotene while being lower in cholesterol.
Mother Earth News conducted a study and discovered that eggs from pastured hens contained more vitamins than their caged counterparts. These eggs had three times the omega 3 fatty acids, 50% more vitamin A, D and E, as well as 21 percent less saturated fat compared to caged eggs.
Pastured poultry are raised in an outdoor environment with access to fresh air and sunlight, then moved frequently between pastures so they can forage on regrowth or scavenge manure deposits. This method of raising chickens is becoming increasingly popular across America – particularly on small farms and some moderate-sized commercial operations.
Free-Range
Free-range chicken feed is an incredibly nutrient-rich food that supplies natural sources of omega 3 fatty acids. Plus, it contains minerals like phosphorus and zinc for added support.
Many people associate “free range” with an idyllic scene of chickens happily scratching around on a pasture. But what happens to those birds on commercial, industrial farms that advertise themselves as “free range?”
Research has demonstrated that free-range chickens spend far less time outdoors than their conventionally raised counterparts. Furthermore, USDA studies have indicated a greater risk of Salmonella contamination (a bacteria found in raw poultry products and eggs) when the animals are caged rather than free-range.
Thankfully, there are still farmers who provide their chickens with plenty of outdoor space and free-range time. These farms have been certified by the Humane Farm Animal Care organization as meeting its stringent criteria for “free-range” or “pasture-raised.”
