What’s in Your Chicken Feed?
As you prepare for new chicks, read about feed ingredients carefully.
Story by Sue Norris.
Reading Time: 5 minutes
EACH BAG OF FEED you buy should have a paper tag affixed, and this tag will tell you the nutritional content of the feed. The label is divided into
two parts: guaranteed analysis and ingredients.
The chemistry and equations used to calculate the contents of a bag of feed are quite complex, and poultry feed companies spend millions of dollars each year on research into how to best feed all types of poultry efficiently and cheaply.
Although many people do mix their own feeds, you have to be knowledgeable about nutrition to supply all the necessary elements for
complete health. Knowing what’s in your chicken feed will help you make better decisions for your flocks.
The Crude Parts
On many labels, you’ll see “guaranteed analysis,” which is the amount of protein, fiber, and other ingredients guaranteed by the Food and Drug Administration to be in the feed.
Crude Protein
Crude protein is the estimated amount of nitrogen available in the feed. The number is derived by chemical analysis. The term “crude” is used since the number is estimated based on all protein having 16% nitrogen content as average, which is not always so.
Why are we talking about nitrogen? Well, if you can remember back to high school chemistry, you’ll know that nitrogen is one of the essential elements of life and is the cornerstone of amino acids. Think: “nitrogen equals protein.”
Crude Fat
The crude fat percentage is achieved by acid hydrolysis of fat content. The fats used in poultry feed are generally lard, tallow, poultry fat, and white grease. Fat is added to the feed to “carry” the fat-soluble vitamins and reduce the amount of dust in the feed.
Crude Fiber
This heading contains all the undigestible fiber, such as cellulose or lignin, which are important for digestive health, gut motility, and the generation of necessary intestinal bacteria. Again, the crude fiber analysis is found by
chemical hydrolysis to estimate the percentage.
AMINO ACIDS
Lysine
Lysine is an essential amino acid necessary for chicken health. It’s likely to be deficient in hens that are kept in confinement. Hens that are pastured
normally obtain the necessary lysine from other sources, such as meat and
fish, insects, and worms.
Lysine is added to feeds to prevent deficiency, although soy- or cornbased
feeds do have a fairly high percentage of lysine within them.
Methionine
In a free-range or natural environment, chickens are omnivorous, taking in not only seeds, grasses, and grain, but also a wide variety of insects and bugs, perhaps the occasional mouse or snake.
Chickens raised in an “unnatural” environment, such as barns, cages, or confined without access to bugs and fed entirely with poultry feed, need
methionine supplements.
In a natural environment, the methionine required for good health is obtained through the animal protein that supplements their feed intake.
MINERALS AND MICROS
Ash
Ash is created by the slow burning of feed or forage until only ash is the residue. The residue is then examined for mineral content. Simply put, ash is the mineral content of the feed. Contaminants can also be identified in ash residue.
Calcium
Calcium is added to feed to ensure an adequate supply for egg laying and for the hens’ health in general. Calcium is used in making bones, heart health, the nervous system, and many other bodily functions.
Before hens were laying superstars (and laid a lot fewer eggs per year),
the addition of calcium wasn’t always necessary. They managed to obtain
sufficient levels from natural means, such as oyster shells and eggshells.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is added to chicken feed so the birds can properly digest and
metabolize calcium.
Salt
A small quantity of salt is essential for proper growth in chicks and young birds. Without the correct amount of salt in the diet, chicks will fail to thrive, which can lead to broiler ascites syndrome.
The amount of salt required is small, and the amount found in a bag of feed
will be expressed as minimum and maximum figures.
Micro-organisms
These are usually Bacillus subtilis and B. coagulans. Why are they adding bacteria to the chicken feed, you may ask. These two particular bacilli are
considered “good” and are used as probiotics to help safeguard and ensure
intestinal health in your flock. They’re there to protect your flock’s digestive
well-being. Which micro-organisms are used will vary by producer.
INGREDIENTS
Basically, this is a detailed list of the feed composition. It doesn’t give amounts but lists in descending order of quantity the exact components of
the feed.
For example, wheat middlings are listed first as the main ingredient, with
sodium selenite listed last as it’s the most minute part of the feed. Different
companies use different formulations of grains.
Depending on the product you buy and whether or not it’s organic, you may see ingredients such as Tagetes — marigold petals. This promotes a rich coloration to the yolks and also the legs of the chicken!
Organic feeds won’t contain byproducts. “Byproduct” is an all-encompassing word. In the case of animal byproducts, this can be meat/ bone meal, feather meal, eggs, and “hatchery waste.” Sounds disgusting, right? But remember, chickens are omnivores and will eat just about
anything, including meat and bugs.
Following the main ingredients, you’ll find a long list of vitamins and minerals added to round out poultry nutritional requirements.
Nutritional Requirements
Exactly how much protein should you feed your birds? That depends on their age and intended use. For example, broilers have a short life during which they’re expected to pack on muscle; they should have no less than 20% to 24% protein for the first four weeks, then they can step down to
20%.
Laying hens should have 16% protein after 16 to 18 weeks.. Chicks require
high protein at the beginning which can gradually be tapered down to 16% as they begin to lay.
Is there a hard-and-fast formula for feeding chickens? No, not really.
There are suggested guidelines that are helpful to novice and experienced
keepers alike.
Bear in mind that too much protein in the diet can be as harmful as too little. Sticking to the guidelines is strongly recommended for the
everyday flock.
Industry-raised birds may be fed differently, as might exhibition birds, but for most, the standard percentages are quite sufficient. As your experience
grows, you’ll become more confident in your decisions regarding your flock’s feed requirements.
I’ve been a label reader for years — for my family and my livestock. For the best health interests of your family and, by extension, your livestock, I urge you to take notice of what’s in the foodstuff you buy.
RESOURCES
• http://www.completefeeds.co.nz
•https://lakevieworganicgrain.com/wpcontent/uploads/Sowhat%e2%80%99s-the-scoop-on-Methionine.pdf
• https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=C954&title=Nutrition%20for%20the%20Backyard%20Flock
• https://www.sare.org/wp-content/uploads/Pastured-Poultry-Nutritionand-Forages.pdf
• https://poultry.extension.org/articles/feeds-and-feeding-of-poultry/
basic-poultry-nutrition/
• https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/forage/files/2014/01/ASH05-FOF.pdf
SUE NORRIS was born and raised in the UK. She traveled around the world as a registered nurse and settled in New York state with her partner about 25 years ago. She currently lives on 15 rural acres with 40-ish chickens, four rabbits, two dogs, and three cats, and assorted wildlife. Sue is happily retired and enjoying the serenity.
Originally published in the August/September 2023 issue of Backyard Poultry magazine and regularly vetted for accuracy.