People often wonder where the chicken protein is. This ingredient is found in many products. These include chicken eggs, meat, and fish. Sprouted grains, oats, seeds and nuts are considered sources of plant protein. In order to achieve normal development of chickens and ensure high productivity, it is worth choosing a balanced diet and using the necessary supplements.

Do chickens need protein?

Protein is considered an essential element in the cells of birds. Chickens need this element a lot during egg laying. These are the substances that are necessary for the formation of egg white..

If there is not enough protein component in the food or if the balance of amino acids is disturbed in the menu, the birds stop their development and slow down their growth. There are often problems with the formation of the eggshell, the feathers become hard and brittle, spermatogenesis decreases.

What foods contain protein?

Protein is found in many foods that can be used in chicken diets.

egg

It is one of the most complete feeds, containing protein, vitamins and minerals. Eggs are actively used to feed chicks. Adult chickens need this product during egg laying and digestion.

Each farmer has his own recipe for making egg feed. However, most often it is ground with a knife or grater, carrots and 1 large spoonful of crackers, semolina or bran are added to the composition. The composition is thoroughly mixed and given to the birds.

Poultry

Chicken is high in protein. The same goes for the turkey. This product is given to birds when cooked. In this case, the birds can be given whole carcasses. Offal can also be given to chickens.

Meat

Chickens can eat beef and pork. They often eat lamb. It is also allowed to give bones to birds with meat or offal. The meat can be used raw or cooked.

Birds need meat and bone meal. It is made from waste from meat processing plants. The composition contains a lot of protein, which contains a large amount of lysine. The product also contains 11% fat and 30% ash content. In addition, the flour contains vitamins A and E.

The chickens receive this product no earlier than 30 days. In addition, the volume of this component should not exceed 3%. Adult birds receive 5-7% of meat and bone meal in their feed.

The chickens are also given meat meal. It is a product obtained from internal organs or pieces of meat. It has a higher protein content. The amount of this material is 56-64%. In this case, the proportion of ash components is 12–14%. The fat content of the flour is 18%.

The amount of meat, meat and bone meal in the bird menu is the same.

Thanks to the strict observance of the proportions, the full development of the layers can be achieved.

A fish

Fish can be used in any form – cooked, raw, canned. This product is a valuable source of protein that birds need during molting. Birds are allowed to be given whole fish. It is used together with head, bones and inner meadows. Birds love this product.

The introduction of fishmeal is sometimes allowed in the chicken menu. It is considered one of the most nutritious protein foods. This meal is made from non-commercial fish and waste. It contains a lot of easily digestible protein, which includes the optimal amount of valuable amino acids. These mainly include lysine and methionine.

The molluscs

The layers need a slow-release calcium source. This is because the eggshell is produced at night when the birds are not eating. Shellfish such as clams are considered the most valuable and reliable source of calcium release.

mealworms

Mealworms are the larvae of the large beetle. They are distinguished by a cylindrical shape and a yellow-brown shade. The worms are 25-30 millimeters long.

You can also breed mealworms inside yourself. To do this, take a box and pour bran, flour, crackers or oatmeal into it. A cotton cloth should be placed over it, which should be moistened occasionally. Mealworms are placed in the box. It should be fed with potatoes, cabbage, beets. The birds are fed cotton worms. They are brought in for training.

Nuts and seeds

Seeds are considered valuable protein components. Sunflower or pumpkin seeds are excellent options. Nuts cut into small pieces can be used for treatment. Almonds and peanuts are suitable for this. Giving birds and nuts is allowed. It should be kept in mind that it is strictly forbidden to give salty food – nuts or seeds – to the chickens.

It is also useful to give hemp cakes to the chickens. Untreated seeds contain 33% protein, while processed seeds contain 35-38%. Foods contain more protein.

During the production of vegetable oil from sunflower seeds or soybeans, special substances – phosphates – are obtained. They contain many nutrients. The use of phosphatides in the menu increases egg production and disease resistance.

Oats

This product is given to poultry raw or cooked. Oats are a natural protein supplement. Chickens love this product. Whole oats and flakes are both good.

Drives

Chickens like sprouted grains and legumes. These products contain a large amount of valuable protein components. Peas, lentils and beans are considered excellent options for birds. Shoot growth is considered an easy and reliable way to provide protein for birds.

Chicken feed

Chicks younger than 8 weeks have more protein in their feed than hens. Compound feed for young animals contains 17-21% protein. In addition, the feed of adult chickens contains 16-17% of this component. Therefore, many poultry farmers add a small amount of chicken composition to the feed during feeding and laying. This contributes to increasing the nutritional value.

Some farmers advise giving the chickens cat food during vaccination, as it contains a large amount of protein components. However, this is still not recommended. Cat food is not suitable for birds. It is better to prepare sardines or other canned fish.

In what proportion and when is protein food better?

Adult laying hens need a balanced diet. They should receive 10-15 grams of animal feed and 3-5 grams of vegetable protein. During digestion or active egg laying, the amount of protein products may increase.

In addition, chickens need grains, herbs and vegetables. They should receive 100-120 grams of grain, 40-80 grams of greens and juicy feed per day. The introduction of mineral supplements into the diet is of no small importance. These include sea shells, chalk and other elements.

Protein foods are very important for the complete development of birds. Poultry needs proteins the most during molting and active egg laying. In the absence of such elements, the development of chickens is interrupted, and their feathers show a brittle and hard texture.