The successful maintenance of chickens in the household depends largely on their proper nutrition. Most poultry farmers agree that it is better to feed the bird with animal feed. On the market, you can buy different types of it, as well as cook it yourself.

What is feed

The name itself quite readily explains what feed is. This is a combined diet consisting of various ingredients. They are mixed in certain proportions depending on the desired result and purpose.

In general, there are three types of feed:

• are used as the main diet or, in other words, full-time;
• introduced as a supplement when eating juicy and roughage - concentrates used in animal husbandry;
• additives to create a balance in the diet - they include in different proportions protein, fodder yeast, minerals, vitamins, premixes, etc.

The effect of feed on the body of chickens

Chickens are happy to eat compound feed, if it is correctly selected. He is selected taking into account the age of the bird, its purpose. A scientific approach is applied to its creation, taking into account all the necessary factors for proper nutrition of the bird.

Benefit

• The benefits of a feed ration can be described as follows:
• food is balanced with the needs of birds;
• the bird feels healthy;
• essential minerals and vitamins are present in the feed;
• even a small amount of feed will saturate the bird;
• You can experiment with the composition, choosing the most acceptable;
• there is no need to feed pets with vegetables, grain, additives;
• the need to change the diet at different times of the year disappears;
• saving storage space.

Harm

• In some cases, feed can be harmful, namely:
• if the composition does not fit the bird;
• if it is of poor quality;
• if it contains harmful additives such as antibiotics, enzymes, dyes;
• if it contains too many vitamins and minerals, which can cause allergies;
• if storage conditions are not met.

The composition of different types of feed

A certain bird breed needs to be fed with compound feed specially made for it. So, for laying layers one composition is offered, and for broilers - another. Depending on the ingredients, there are various types of feed.

It will also be useful for you to find out what and how to properly feed laying hens, so that it rushes better, how much feed per day should be given to laying hens, as well as how to feed chickens in winter for egg production.

Carbohydrate

Even the name suggests that in these feeds the main emphasis is on the carbohydrate component. Carbohydrates contribute to weight gain and slow down metabolism. Carbohydrate fodder to a large extent contains fiber, starch, sugar.

Pets are quickly saturated with it and gain good weight, so it is considered optimal for meat breeds. There are four types of feed with a lot of carbohydrates.

Cereal feed

The essence of grain feed is the correct mixing of different types of grains. They can include cereals, corn, oats, barley.

You should only know what will benefit and in what quantities:

1. The main component of cereal grains is starch. It accounts for 70% of the composition. Next up are protein, minerals and fats. The disadvantage of cereals is that they contain fiber, which is poorly absorbed, and there are few amino acids in the protein.
2. Corn grains lead in the amount of healthy protein in the composition. Their plus is also a low fiber content and the presence of carotene, so they will be the most useful in the composition of the feed.
3. The advantage of oats is that it is saturated with amino acids, and a large amount of fiber in it is considered a minus. Because of the latter, it is slowly digested, which can adversely affect the health of young animals. It is advised to add oats or flour from it to feed at a level of no more than 20%. It is also advisable to peel the seeds, germinate.
4. Feed wheat is good in compound feeds due to the high content of vitamins E and group B. There is less protein in it than in normal, its content in the diet should not exceed 30%.

You can add a little barley to the feed, but rye and buckwheat are not recommended.

Succulent feed

Juicy feeds are vegetables, namely: potatoes, beets, turnips, pumpkin, rutabaga. All vegetables contribute to better digestion of food. Beets and potatoes do it especially well. Before feeding, it is desirable to grind them and heat them.

Pumpkin has a lot of sugar, carotene, and B vitamins. Birds love it very much. The main disadvantage of a vegetable diet is that it spoils very quickly. The remains of it must be immediately removed to prevent the process of decay.

Important! Before giving the chickens vegetables, they must be cleaned and washed. They should be without rot. Otherwise, infections cannot be avoided.

Cereal waste

Poultry farmers are reluctant to add grain waste to animal feed. As a rule, these are the residues from the processing of wheat grains. In addition to the presence of weed, fungus and ergot seeds in them, it can be noted that they are of no interest in nutritional value. They have too much fiber and harmful phosphorus.

Industrial waste

In the chicken diet, you can add waste after the production of alcohol or processing beets. The former are called bards and are potato, wheat, corn. They have sugar, vitamin B, fiber. You can add them to the feed about 7%.

Protein

Protein plays a very important role in the structure of a living cell, therefore its presence is so important in the diet of a bird. Its main source is fish, meat and bone meal, oilcake, bean grains, alfalfa flour. Protein-based feeds improve the quality of egg white and strengthen the shell.

Significantly increase the "performance" of laying hens. Such feeds also contribute to better digestion, strengthen the skeleton and muscle mass of pets. Recommended for egg and meat-egg breeds. By origin, they are divided into two types - animal and vegetable.

Animal content

Proteins of animal origin are marketed in the form of flour. Species are characterized by what it is made of.

Animal feed is more saturated with vitamins and minerals than vegetable:

1. Fishmeal is made from waste from the fishing industry, fish entrails, and fish that are not used as food by humans. Its protein is very rich in amino acids and is perfectly absorbed by the avian organism. As a rule, such flour should be added to the diet no more than 8%, preferably in wet food.
2. Flour from bones and meat is similar to cereals in the amount of protein. But its fat content is more; it also consists of ash by 30%. Contains vitamins A, E, etc.
3. There are enough proteins and amino acids in the blood meal. It is a product of the processing of blood and bones. More than 4% do not give it because of possible problems with the chicken’s stomach.
4. Feathers are produced from bird feathers and down. It is quite cheap, but can not be said about the benefits. You can add to the chicken diet no more than 2%.

All such feed should be made exclusively in accordance with GOST.

Protein diets can be diversified by feeding feathered residues of dairy production, such as milk and its derivatives. If possible, this will be an excellent supplement to the protein diet of birds. There are a lot of vitamins, amino acids, sugar, and minerals in dairy products.

As protein feed, you can add up to 10 g of fresh earthworms. They can be grown independently in a compost pit.

Plant content

The bulk of vegetable protein in the chicken diet is in legumes and oilcake. Legumes are presented in mixed fodder soy and peas. The first is rich in vitamins, amino acids, minerals and in properties is not inferior to animal protein. Peas have a lot of protein and amino acids. It can be added up to 10%.

Adult chickens can include in the diet up to 17% of sunflower or soybean meal, meal. Young animals should be given no more than 10%.

Combined

It is possible to combine different types of combined feed, as well as add vitamins, minerals, yeast to them. The so-called hash is a variant of the combined type of diet. In it, in the right proportions, grain, flour, vitamins, water are mixed.

This mixture is most often given to young animals. Its humidity should be at least 40%. Instead of water, you can add broth, whey.

Standards and quality requirements

In order to choose high-quality compound feed, you need to pay attention to the following norms and requirements:

• the food should be pleasant in smell: it should not smell like mold, rot, musty;
• the percentage of moisture for bird feed should not exceed 13%;
• grinding of feed should correspond to the category of bird for which it is intended (the chicken will not be able to eat large grains);
• compound feed should not contain harmful impurities;
• the presence of sand in the feed is unacceptable;
• feed for young animals should not contain a lot of fiber;
• for each category of poultry there should be an optimal amount of vitamins and minerals;
• feed must meet veterinary standards.

Important! If after entering the feed you notice any deviations in the behavior or well-being of the pets, stop giving the feed and ask your veterinarian for advice. The feed may be inappropriate or improperly balanced.

Features of the choice and preparation of feed

In order to choose the right feed, you need to build on what breed the chicken in your farm belongs to. Different breeds need different species or in different proportions. The age of the birds must also be taken into account. So, young chickens are not suitable for adult chickens.

If you choose ready-made feed, you need to pay attention to the manufacturer. High-quality feed can be produced only on good equipment. A trusted manufacturer has fairly high quality standards.

The composition of the feed should be vitamins, minerals and other useful additives. Do not buy food with enzymes, antioxidants, antibiotics, dyes.

As for the manufacture of compound feed yourself, you need to know how to cook it, and purchase the necessary high-quality ingredients. Cereals, legumes should have a good appearance, not to smell of mold and dampness. Vitamin supplements, flour must meet quality standards.

It is better to buy such ingredients in a store rather than in the market. In the latter case, there is a chance of their infection.

It is definitely impossible to say which feed is better: purchased or home. The first is scientifically developed taking into account the needs of birds of any age and breed. It is already cooked, it is enough just to pour it - you do not need to spend time buying and mixing the components.

And for the price it will be cheaper. However, there is a possibility that your pets may not like it, and there are also risks of poor quality and the presence of harmful ingredients.

In the case of home-made compound feed, it can be made suitable exclusively for your birds according to their taste preferences. You will be sure of the quality of the ingredients used.

Did you know? A chicken can remember about a hundred objects, while she knows her master and can recognize him from afar.

DIY compound feed recipe

It will not be difficult to make homemade compound feed. Here's a recipe from an experienced house.

Composition and proportions

You need to take 2 buckets of wheat and oats and half a bucket of sunflower seeds. In kilograms, this will be 16 and almost 4, respectively.

DIY feed for laying hens: video

Step by step cooking instructions

The process of preparing feed is as follows:

1. Pour all the ingredients in one container and mix thoroughly.
2. Turn on the grinder.
3. Pour the right amount of mixture into it and grind it.
4. Steam the crushed mixture with water and allow to cool.
5. In the cooled mass add meat-bone and fish meal (3-5%).
6. Add premix and feed sulfur.

Food can also yeast.

To process 10 kg of feed, do the following:

1. In 1 liter of water with a temperature of up to +40 ° С, dilute 100 g of ordinary baker's yeast.
2. Stir, eliminating lumps, until bubbles form.
3. For greater effect, you can add 0.5 kg of beets, barley or 100 g of sour milk.
4. In 15 liters of warm water add the finished mixture, mix again.
5. Infuse for 5 to 9 hours, stirring constantly.

Important! Water in birds should be in large quantities if you feed them with combined feeds. If it is absent or few, digestive system disorders are possible.

Yeast contains vitamins A, E, B, D, iron, phosphorus. You can purchase special chicken vitamins for supplementation in feed. They should also contain calcium, iron, phosphorus, vitamins of the main groups.

The best purchased feed

The market is filled with a variety of chicken feeds from various companies. Poultry farmers have a unique rating of proven producers whose feed is trustworthy. Feel free to buy feed brands "Gatchina", "Istra", as well as those that produce Ramensky and Kursk combines of bakery products.

It will also be useful for you to find out how to properly prepare a chicken stirrer.

1. The Gatchina feed mill is equipped with modern equipment and produces almost all types of feed for chickens, rabbits, pigs, horses, fish.
2. Istra-bakery product is more focused on the production of chicken feed. They make up the lion's share of its production. The company produces granular and loose feed.
3. Ramensky bakery is a large enterprise with the latest computer software. It processes more than 500 tons of grain per day. The plant produces an extensive line of compound feeds for poultry, cattle, pigs, rabbits, dogs.
4. Kursk bakery specializes in the manufacture of all feed for farm animals and birds. Feed packaging is possible from 10 to 40 kg. He is the only one of all of the above who produces rare PK-0 chicken feed.

Further, we will dwell in more detail on the composition of some compound feeds and on which birds they are intended for.

PC-0

The food is aimed at chickens, mainly broilers, from the moment of birth to two weeks. It is considered quite rare, but very popular.

Compound feed consists of:

• wheat and corn;
• meal of sunflower and soybeans;
• fish and limestone flour;
• vegetable oil, salt;
• premix of vitamins and minerals;
• enzymes, antioxidants, betaine hydrochloride.

This compound feed is a starter, well fortified and mineralized, contains beneficial bacteria and a complex for the prevention of coccidiosis. 100 g of product contains 300 kcal. Represents small granules.

PK-1

Designed for laying hens after a year. Less calories, unlike PC-0, 16% of it falls on crude protein. Highly nutritious, contains a balanced vitamin-mineral complex.

The main ingredients are:

• corn and wheat;
• soybean makukha;
• sunflower in the form of meal;
• limestone flour, salt;
• supplements from minerals, vitamins.

PC-2

This diet can be used for chickens after PK-0 until the age of two months. The composition is well balanced for easy absorption by young animals. In addition to vitamins and minerals, it contains funds for the prevention of diseases. 100 g contains 290 kcal.

The composition of the mixture includes:

• corn and wheat;
• meat and fish meal;
• meal and sunflower oil;
• chalk and salt;
• premix, L-lysine monochlorohydrate and methionine.

PC-3

You can immediately switch to this diet after the PK-2 compound feed and give young animals up to four and a half months. It is crushed so that it is easier for young birds to eat it. In addition to the main components, it contains probiotics to improve the digestive tract.

Crude protein is 16% by weight with a calorie content of 260 kcal per 100 g.

Consists of:

• wheat and corn;
• soybean flakes;
• meal of sunflower;
• limestone flour, salt;
• supplements from vitamins and minerals.

Did you know? Chickens can be taught to count and distinguish geometric shapes.

Mixed feed

Having prepared or bought ready-made compound feed, you will provide your birds with a balanced diet. For each breed of birds there must be a feeding diet, you need to understand how to properly assemble and give it. So, laying hens need more protein, and meat breeds need more carbohydrates. In a home-made feed, you need to add a vitamin-mineral complex. If you buy ready-made feed, then the need for this action disappears. In addition, as practice shows, the consumption of purchased feed is much lower than homemade. There is a daily norm of feed consumption per day for chickens of different ages.

Young animals

For small hens, the first 1–7 weeks of life is especially important. They need to be fed properly and balanced. If you feed young animals with home-made compound feed, then you need to start eating with food based on chopped corn grits.

Babies up to two weeks need about 40 g of food per day. With age, the norms increase about twice every two weeks. However, you need to monitor the state of health of young animals and not overfeed it much.

When feeding homemade feed, vitamins A, E, B and minerals must be added to it. As the latter, crushed egg shells will be suitable with success. Покупным комбикормом можно кормить молодняк с первых дней жизни.

Он содержит весь комплекс необходимых молодому куриному организму веществ. Начинать нужно с 10 г в день, к восьми неделям постепенно увеличивая дозу до 50 г. Более подробно дозировка расписана на упаковке с едой. На вопрос: нужно ли давать в этом случае дополнительные витамины, птицеводы дают отрицательный ответ, поскольку это может спровоцировать нарушение пищеварения и аллергическую реакцию.

Что касается вопроса: какой корм давать лучше — сухой или запаривать — то в отношении самодельного корма однозначного мнения нет. Одни птицеводы говорят, что запаривать нужно, другие говорят, что нет. Молодняку можно попробовать запаривать домашний комбикорм для его лучшей усвояемости.

Но при этом стоит помнить, что остатки его нужно убирать, чтобы не допустить распространения инфекций. Покупной корм производители запаривать не то что не советуют, а даже запрещают. Кипяток убивает полезные вещества, а консистенция корма становится не слишком пригодной к употреблению.

Adults

Взрослой птице нужно в сутки около 120 г комбикорма. Нормы могут варьироваться в зависимости от рациона. При преобладании в нём белка и сочного углеродистого питания, дозу можно увеличить до 180 г.

Кур, которые едят покупной комбикорм, вполне можно кормить одним видом корма. Этого же следует придерживаться и при вскармливании птицы самодельной комбинированной едой. Важно лишь найти пропорции, которые подходят вашему питомцу.

Птицеводы говорят, что некоторые породы кур неохотно переходят на другой рацион. В любом случае, перевод следует делать постепенно.

В исключительных случаях можно давать птице свиной комбинированный корм или комбикорм для кроликов. Первый более универсальный по составу, но содержит много соли, что для птиц нежелательно. В кроличьем же, как правило, много соли и белка, поэтому лучше максимально ограничить его потребление.

Кроме этого, нужно изучить состав таких кормов и рассчитать дозировку для курицы согласно норме зерна, белков, витаминов.

Кормление кур комбикормом на сегодня считается лучшим способом питания. С таким кормом несушка получает все необходимые организму вещества. Достаточно лишь определиться с выбором корма. Его можно приготовить как собственноручно, так и приобрести уже готовый.