CHICKEN FEEDS AND TREATS: Know The Difference

MASH FEED

Mash Feed is made from crushed grain mixed with supplements and protein meals. It is created for all sizes and ages and can be used in chick or adult feed. It is also the cheapest among other feeds because it's the least processed form of a complete meal. Since it was cheaper than the others, feed dust, feed separation, feed waste, and more rodents are expected to be part of unfavorable effects.

PELLET FEED

Pellet feed is the classic variety of chicken feed available in the market. Pellet is formed by compressing materials that create a cylindrical shape through a die. Upon the transportation process, this feed's quality should be well handled during the transportation process to avoid converting it into dust or fines. Therefore, the pellet should be hard and durable. The durability is tested based on their ability to withstand a crushing force to test their hardness. 

One factor that affects the physical quality of the pellet is the ingredients that go into the mixture. At least some of them should act like glue to bind the particles together. The grind of our components must be able to close-pack with no internal void. Make sure that the condition of the mixture with steam provides heat and moisture, which softens the particles and activates natural binders. Colling it and reducing the humidity sets the bonds and strengthens pellets' quality.

CRUMBLE FEED

Crumble chicken feed is pellet crushed, cracked, or rolled into a consistency similar to cereal. It was designed to be a complete feed meal with the right amount of protein, vitamins, and minerals. This feed is a known choice for pullets transitioning from mash to pellet.

SCRATCH FEED

Scratch feed is made from different seeds and grains, like cracked corn, barley, wheat, oats, or sunflower seeds. Scratch believes that originated from farmers who throw out their leftover grains and seed for birds and chickens to rummage through. It's like a treat to them. 

Chicken scratch and feed are both chicken food, but these two have differences, especially in nutritional value. The commercial feed has been equipped with minerals and nutrients such as calcium carbonate and selenium, ensuring healthy birds and high-quality eggs. While scratch, on the other hand, is like junk food because it does not have the same nutrient level as commercial chicken feed. That is why scratch is not recommended as a staple diet.

INTEGRATING GRUBS AND WORM INTO CHICKEN DIETS

Incorporating grub worms and mealworms into your chickens' diet can offer an excellent source of protein and essential nutrients. Grub, including black fly larvae, is a natural and sustainable option for enhancing your poultry's diet. For those looking to add these beneficial insects to their feed regimen, meal worms for sale can be found from reputable suppliers, offering a convenient way to provide your chickens with a protein boost.

After discussing the different types of feeds, let us also discuss the common grains found in all feed ingredients.

Grain compliments other chicken feed ingredients, so here are some of the grains used to create healthy feed:

• Soybean Meal is the dominant protein supplement used in chicken feed. Soybean can be fed as a whole, meal, or by-product of oil extraction. Soybean meal has a high protein content in all ingredients, especially compared to other plant protein sources. Aside from protein, it has a high Amino Acid that complements corn, the primary energy source in poultry diets. 

• Canola Meal is the major component of a nutritionally balanced diet in all types of poultry feed. It has an excellent amino acid profile, an excellent source of sulfur-containing amino acid, and sometimes an economic advantage when formulating a digestible amino acid basis. 

• Corn or Maize is the cereal grain choice for poultry feed in the United States. Corn is a go-to energy source in poultry feed, low in fiber, and the most accessible grain for chickens to digest. 

• Wheat Midds are usually used in Western Canada and Europe as part of the poultry diet. Wheat has 94% to 96% energy and a high protein, amino acids, lysine, and tryptophan content than corn. It also has gluten that helps eliminate the need for pellets binders when making pellets.

• Pre and Probiotics are feed additive that benefits both microbes in the chicken guts and adds beneficial bacteria to the existing population of chickens' digestive tract. Probiotics help the chicken prevent and clear diarrhea in its body. It also helps the chicken body lessen the smelly feces with less ammonia and a better feed conversion ratio.

• Vitamins and Minerals are essential for chicken survival. Without them, the chicken may suffer a lack of energy, feather abnormalities, feather depigmentation, skin lesion and dermatitis, muscle degeneration, weakness, bone deformation, less egg production, and even neurological disorders.

CHICKEN TREATS

Backyard chicken raiser loves giving treats to their chicken, especially when temperatures are warm up and flocks are spending so much of their time outside. But it's not about the treats and why they are running to you, but the attention.

Chickens have fewer taste buds compared to humans. So if you want to give your flock treats in free-range, remember this tip. 90% should be regular feed, and 10% should be made of treat. Treats have nutrients too, but we should not replace their feed entirely since there are some nutrients that sure treats cannot provide.

DIFFERENT KINDS OF TREATS

Treats are the food you give your chicken that is unnecessary but could significantly contribute to your chicken's growth and development.