Whole grain chicken feed consists of an unprocessed blend of grains like wheat, rye, sorghum, field peas and sunflower seeds that have been cracked to make eating easier for smaller birds.
Although whole grain can provide many health benefits, chickens require other sources of nutrition in order to thrive. Vitamin and mineral-rich foods must also be consumed by chickens in order to fulfill their dietary requirements and thrive.
Contents
Protein
When creating homemade feed for your pet, be sure to choose a mixture of grains with different protein contents for optimal balance. Kamut (Khorasan wheat commonly known as Kleenex wheat) provides high levels of protein, minerals and vitamins; adding it to a complete layer ration of wheat, oats, barley and rye will produce an evenly balanced 16-19 percent protein ration.
If you prefer feeding whole grain to your chickens, start gradually increasing their daily dose until they become used to it. Remember that unlike us humans, chickens do not possess teeth so their food must be swallowed whole and then ground up by their gizzards before being digested into egg mass by them. Research from University of Sydney in Australia indicates that feeding whole grain improves digestion while simultaneously increasing egg mass production efficiency.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates provide quick energy sources for birds. Common sources include wheat, corn, barley and oats – along with whole grain varieties like kamut (Khorasan wheat) and triticale found in poultry feed. Chickens also require fat as it provides more calories while helping absorb fat-soluble vitamins A, D and E; sources could include lard or tallow.
All grains contain three components, bran, germ and endosperm, each providing health-promoting nutrients for our bodies. Bran contains fiber to slow the breakdown of starch into glucose, helping prevent sharp spikes in blood sugar. Meanwhile, germ contains protein, B vitamins and antioxidants while endosperm offers carbohydrates, minerals and antioxidants for our birds’ wellbeing. While pre-mixed organic poultry rations may be available to purchase, mixing your own can save money!
Fiber
Raising chickens can be expensive. A proper feed ration must be implemented to promote optimal growth and nutrient absorption; poultry farmers generally feed their poultry pellets or ground mash as part of their feed regiments.
But to produce complete chicken feed requires special expertise in knowing the nutrient needs and contents of different ingredients; additionally, they must be procured, milled, mixed, and pelletized before pelletization takes place.
Feed made from whole grains provides your poultry with protein, carbohydrates and fiber in addition to containing essential vitamins and minerals essential to their health. Furthermore, this saves money since instead of buying feed from the market you can create it yourself by mixing whole wheat with other ingredients at home.
Vitamins
Vitamins are an integral component of poultry feed and essential to their proper growth and feathering. Vitamin deficiencies can result in numerous health issues for chickens including reduced egg production, plucked feathers and personality changes.
vitamins can also be obtained through eating whole grains like wheat, rye and kamut (Khorasan wheat). Wheat boasts 18% protein, B vitamins, magnesium and zinc while kamut contains magnesium, iron and natural gluten which may reduce gluten-related diseases like celiac disease and Crohn’s Disease.
To include these nutrients in a poultry feed, they must be accurately ground and mixed with other ingredients. For choice-feeding systems, separate feeders for grain, supplement, and limestone should be utilized.
Minerals
Whole grains contain many essential minerals for healthy chickens’ development and reproduction, such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, iron and zinc. Most laying chickens are fed a pelleted diet whether confined indoors or free-range, typically consisting of corn for energy and soybean meal for protein content; as well as additional supplements including antibiotics/arsenicals to promote growth and prevent disease; as well as antibiotic coccidiostats to combat coccidia; mold inhibitors; and shell polishers/ polishers.
If you are feeding a purebred flock, opt for an organic ration with at least 17% protein. When raising mixed flocks, consider using a feeder that separates grain, supplement and limestone for each bird so as to not waste grit or reduce their intake of important nutrients. You could supplement a diet high in whole grains with oyster shells or crushed eggshells to provide calcium while exercising their gizzards at the same time.
