Is it possible to give millet to chickens: at what age, in what form and quantity?

Millet is millet, but peeled from the plant shell. It consists of small grains of yellow color. It is used for preparing culinary dishes and for feeding domestic animals and birds.

It's nutritious. It contains many vitamins and minerals. Millet is included in many compound feeds. Can chickens add this grain to their diet? What are its characteristics?

Is it possible to give millet to chickens: at what age, in what form and quantity?

I recently got little chickens, but I don’t know how to feed them properly.
I'm afraid of harming them with my inept care. For example, I would like to know whether it is possible to feed millet to chickens when breeding at home, at what age it can be given and in what quantity. I would also like to find out if it can be given to adults. Millet is millet grain peeled from its shell. It is one of the products that is allowed to feed chickens of any age, even day-old chicks. This is explained by the fact that it is small in size, so even very small chickens can swallow the grains without problems. In addition, they are rich in easily digestible protein and various vitamins that chicks need for rapid growth and normal development of the young body.

Millet can be given raw to two-week-old chicks, but it is better to steam it once hatched. You can prepare such food by pouring boiling water over the cereal, cover with a lid and leave for half an hour to swell. Porridge should be given to chickens warm, not hot. There is no need to completely boil the millet, as it turns into a sticky mass that can stick the chicks’ beaks together.

How exactly to feed? The easiest way is to pour the mixture onto a small board and place it in the brooder under a light source. Place warm water in a saucer next to the food. The next day, you can add finely chopped fresh onions and garden herbs, such as lettuce, dill, parsley, to this mixture.

You can feed millet to both regular chicken breeds and broilers. Adult laying hens can also be fed this grain (but it is better to replace it with millet). However, it must be remembered that its maximum share in the feed for young chickens should not exceed 15-20% of the grain part of the diet up to 15 days, starting from the 60th day, and adult millet is also given at the rate of no more than 10% of the grain part of the diet.

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Sprouted wheat

The grain does not have to be crushed or given whole. Today, sprouted grains, such as wheat, are very popular. This food for chickens is extremely healthy because:

• strengthens the bird's immune system;
• improves the quality of chicken meat (it becomes more elastic and less greasy);
• increases egg production of laying hens;
• the birds' skeleton and their muscular system are strengthened;
• improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

Sprouted grain changes its chemical composition. This contributes to the intake of a large number of useful components into the birds’ bodies. To digest dry wheat grain, chicken spends a lot of energy and time. In dry form, only 50-60% of the product is absorbed. If we are talking about sprouted food, it is absorbed by almost 95%.

How to germinate grain for chickens:

1. High-quality wheat is selected, not rotten or old.
2. Select a container for soaking grain. For this, it is better to use glass or ceramic dishes. It is not recommended to soak wheat in metal or plastic containers. This will reduce its nutritional value.
3. The wheat is placed in a bowl and filled with warm water, the temperature of which should be between 35 - 40°C. It should cover the grain by 2 - 3 cm.
4. The container is covered with a lid and left in this state for 14 - 18 hours.
5. After this time, the excess water is drained, and the grain is scattered on a clean oilcloth. You need to germinate wheat or other grains in a special room where there are no drafts and low air humidity.
6. Next, the grain is covered with a damp cloth, which needs to be moistened as it dries.
7. After 2 - 3 days, strong shoots will be clearly visible.

Important! It is not recommended to germinate large quantities of grain at once. Its shelf life is short

If mold begins to form on the surface of the wheat, it should not be given to chickens.

Before sprouting wheat for chickens, it is worth knowing that it can bring not only benefits, but also harm the birds. For example, if you feed chickens a large amount of wheat germ per day, this will lead to hypervitaminosis. The maximum amount of such food per day should not exceed 30% of the total diet.

It is better to include sprouted wheat in the diet of poultry in winter or autumn. This is due to the fact that it is at this time that laying hens experience a lack of vitamins, which negatively affects their egg production. In this case, it is recommended that they be given sprouted wheat 2-4 times a week.

You can sprinkle this fertilizer directly on the floor of the poultry house or on the territory of the outdoor enclosure. This way, the chickens will be able to peck the food faster, which will prevent it from rotting.

Experienced breeders switch chickens that are obese to a low-calorie diet. Its essence lies in the fact that birds eat different types of sprouted grains. The duration of such a diet should not be more than 14 days. Otherwise, the chickens may become weak and sick.

How to feed millet to chickens and laying hens and broilers

Author: Chicken Ryaba

/ 28 Nov 2022 at 07:01

Good afternoon, experienced and novice poultry farmers! In this material we will tell about millet to chickens, how to give it - boil or steam the grain from the store. For a long time, breeders of domestic birds, including chickens, have been looking for feed that reduces the cost of egg and meat products.

Thanks to numerous experiments, beneficial weeds (nettle, quinoa...) were identified. But cereals used in cooking and other non-traditional ingredients of the diet are also indispensable, guaranteeing, when used correctly, the manifestation of true genetic potential. Of course, such feeds only partially replace purchased mixtures.

Today we will talk about the nuances of feeding chickens and hens with millet, which is one of the healthiest products for humans.

Millet for chickens and chickens

The yellow grain found on store shelves is millet that has been stripped of its shells! Characterized by a rich vitamin and mineral composition.

Chemical composition, calorie content and beneficial properties of millet.

When discussing the diet of chickens, roosters, laying hens and broilers, disputes often arise regarding the rational use of millet. Some poultry farmers do not see any benefit in the cereal.

For example, they say that poultry, especially young animals, show maximum productivity when consuming complete feed. Other breeders believe that the culture is indispensable in the chicken diet. Of course, both are right!

The fact is that the feed, developed for chickens up to 5 days of age, contains the discussed purified cereal.

A 100-gram serving of millet contains 342 kcal. At the same time, the share of carbohydrates accounts for at least 65%, proteins - 11%. The percentage of fiber and fat ranges from 3.5-3.6%.

In the photo, laying hens feast on foxtail millet.

By the way, one of the advantages of cereal is that it is an easily digestible product. It is rich in thiamine, a deficiency of which disrupts carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism and accumulates toxins.

Thiamine (the second name of the vitamin) normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system and nervous system. Vitamin deficiency is accompanied by convulsions affecting the skeletal muscles and heart muscle, a lethargic state, refusal to feed, and a frequent incidence of infectious diseases.

How to feed millet to chickens

You can feed chickens with both millet and millet. Both ingredients are soaked in water for 24 hours. This simple trick removes the bitterness from the delicacy. Options for using millet after the “water procedure”:

Thanks to vitamin B6 (26% of all vitamins), called pyridoxine, millet has a positive effect on protein metabolism, leukocyte formula, and hemoglobin concentration. This representative of biologically active substances is especially important for chickens of the parent flock.

Millet contains a lot of vitamin B9 (10%) or so-called folic acid, which is positively associated with the functioning of the reproductive system. By including cereals in the diet, the egg-laying period can be increased.

Millet contains large quantities of choline, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, slightly less tocopherol (up to 2%) and biotin, which is beneficial for the microflora of the intestinal tract. The percentage of nicotinic acid is 23%, vitamin K is 8%. The first compound normalizes oxidative processes, the second strengthens blood vessels and promotes bone formation.

Millet is an ingredient that quickly covers the need for silicon, iron, selenium, cobalt, and chromium. But iodine is also present in small quantities.

What is important? Of course, a diet balanced in minerals guarantees intensive growth of young animals. By the way, both a quick change of plumage and the correct formation of eggs. Wonderful!

Next, we will tell you about the features of feeding millet to chickens and hens.

So, we found out that millet is a valuable feed used in the diet of chickens of different sex and age groups. For day-old young animals, porridge is prepared from purified cereals. In this case, milk, salt and sugar are not used.

Porridge is fed as a separate food or included in a mixture consisting of vegetables, mineral supplements, and protein sources. Experienced poultry farmers prepare mashes based on yogurt or whey, and supplement them with millet.

How much millet to feed chickens

The daily norm of porridge, taking into account the age of the young animals:

For 2-week-old chickens, the following feed mixture is recommended: millet + boiled egg, grated carrots, lettuce + skim milk. The frequency of feeding is at 3-hour intervals.

A single dose of cereal for young animals 2 months of age is 20 g. In the diet of older birds, the ingredient in question is replaced with other feeds. If we talk about broilers, instead of millet they give barley, corn grain, and wheat. The feed mixture requires sunflower cake, yeast, bone and meat meal.

Corn

Whole grains are an important component in the nutrition of adult chickens. For chickens, it is also almost the main component of the diet. However, they begin to offer it to babies when they reach the age of one and a half months. Until this time, only crushed grains in the form of small and medium grains can be given. Corn and wheat grains, as well as oatmeal and millet, are perfect for these purposes.

Grain should be introduced into complementary foods gradually, increasing the dose weekly. One week old chicken should receive 24 grams of grain per day. For individuals of one month of age, the dose should be increased to 32 grams. From two months it should be 45 grams. Usually yeast is also added to the grain.

Millet and peas: yes or no?

Millet is a favorite delicacy for chickens, so many poultry farmers safely include it in the diet of babies. It is worth noting that millet contains an impressive amount of protein, and it, in turn, is the main building material for muscles. In addition, this product is rich in B vitamins.

It can be given to babies the day after they are born. Some breeders combine millet with corn, semolina and wheat cereals. Before this, the millet should be steamed so that the chickens’ body absorbs it faster and better. It is simply poured with boiling water and then left to steep until the cereal swells.

Millet is also used to make mash. For these purposes, you can use yeast, herbs, cottage cheese, grass flour, sorrel. You should not give boiled millet to chickens, because due to the increased amount of starch, their beaks may stick together. Millet is given at the rate of 2 grams per 1 chick. This applies to one-day-old babies; week-old chicks can already be given millet in the amount of 3 grams per individual.

The source of protein is peas. Therefore, it must also be given to birds. Moreover, peas are a fairly common plant in the household. It also contains lysine, which is an essential amino acid. This substance ensures full growth of muscle mass. Therefore, peas should definitely be included in the diet of meat and broiler chickens.

It is correct to introduce peas into the menu of chicks on the 10th day of their life. It is better to take it crushed or grind it into fine grains yourself. Peas should be offered in small portions due to the fact that they have a rather specific smell that scares away children. Normally, peas should make up 10% of the weight of the grain mixture.

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Millet for laying hens

The results of experiments by poultry farmers of past generations made it possible to establish that millet is useful for laying hens, as it increases the yield of egg products and does not lead to obesity.

Millet can be given to laying hens both raw and steamed.

Along with millet, the birds of the parent flock are given corn, pumpkin and carrots. These are sources of carotene, which has a positive effect on the formation of the embryo.

The benefit of millet for adult chickens lies in the fact that its shell improves the grinding of the food coma in the stomach.

Every day, adults 22-27 weeks old during the laying period can be given 20 g. The daily norm for older egg-laying birds is 35-40 grams of millet.

Large doses are recommended for all-purpose feathered (meat and egg) breeds.

In egg mashes, chicken millet is combined with potatoes, beets and pumpkin.

The photo shows a mash for broilers with millet.

Of course, it is recommended to feed the cereal to producers. After its inclusion in the diet, the composition of the ejaculate improves. By the way, the carcasses of roosters fed millet are characterized by excellent organoleptic qualities.

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At what age can you give millet to chickens?

From the first days, the chicks peck millet with pleasure. Millet cereal is necessary for chicks: it contains a lot of protein necessary for growth and development, carbohydrates, mineral components and vitamins B, PP and K.

How to feed chickens millet

Wheat groats. It is also good for chickens. This is a light food with a lot of nutrients. The chickens peck at it with pleasure.

The norm of dry cereals in a chick's diet is from 20 to 40%. Grown-up birds are given an unlimited amount of grain mixture. You can also add bran there.

Wheat sprouts, which contain a lot of lecithin, are very useful for birds. But they are used only for older chickens.

Rice and buckwheat

Rice is a food that contains nutrients in large quantities. You cannot use it in large quantities, as rice can cause paralysis in chickens. The chicks are given rice in the form of porridge. It is added in small quantities to the mash.

Buckwheat contains a large number of elements beneficial for birds. There is especially a lot of vegetable protein in it. But buckwheat should also not be given to chicks in large quantities, as it can cause intoxication. Buckwheat is not given to chicks raw - it swells greatly and can cause digestive upset. The ground cereal is boiled and added in small quantities to the mash.

Whole grain

Twenty day old chicks begin to be fed whole grains.

Compound feed

Ready-made feed contains all the necessary elements for the growth of chickens. The content of proteins, carbohydrates, fats and fiber in them is balanced. Compound feeds are enriched with vitamins and microelements. They contain added substances that strengthen the chicks’ immunity and prevent the development of diseases. There are separate types of feed for each age.

For compound feed to be useful to chickens, it must be fresh and of high quality. Old and moldy feed is contraindicated.

Sorrel

1. An excellent addition to the diet is sorrel. It is finely chopped and added to feed. You can give sorrel to older chicks in a bunch, placing it in a bowl of water to prevent it from withering, but after 40 minutes you still need to remove it. Trampled, dirty leaves should also be removed. You should not give the chicks old, wilted greens - this can cause diarrhea.
2. Sorrel can be given to chickens from the second day of life.
3. Greens should be used in feed until the 5th day of life, no more than 1 gram per head; at 6–10 days, 3 grams of sorrel are given. The dose is gradually increased, and on the 20th day the young animals consume 7 grams of greens, and at one month of age the daily intake is increased to 10 grams. At 40 days, chicks can already eat 15 grams of grass feed, and at 50 days, 17 grams.
4. Sorrel contains vitamins B, A, C, PP, as well as minerals such as potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, copper and others. This early crop is good for diversifying the spring diet of chickens.

Composition of feed for laying hens

Due to the ease of preparation and availability of products, many poultry house owners mix the feed themselves. Grain mixtures are solid foods, while soft or wet ones include mash based on steamed cereals, vegetables and herbs, bran and flour additives.

Knowing what foods a bird needs to consume to increase egg production and maintain the body in good condition, it is important to understand how to feed laying hens at home and maintain optimal proportions.
Ready-made and homemade mixtures for chickens include all of the listed categories of feed, but they must also include sources of animal protein. These include: Before preparing mash for laying hens, the poultry farmer must decide on its composition and quantity.
Individual products should be prepared before serving: Before feeding pullets to laying hens, the grain is crushed or flattened. In winter, it is useful to germinate cereals, which significantly increases their nutritional and vitamin value. The same effect is achieved by adding 5–10 grams of yeast per kilogram of mixture.

What should broiler feed consist of?

There are three types of combined feed for each period of a bird’s life (start, fattening, finish). Each of them must include certain components. Let's take a closer look.

It is suitable for feeding broiler chickens from the first days of life due to its high protein content (more than 20%), which is especially necessary for the body of chicks. What is starter feed for broilers made from:

• Corn;
• Yeast;
• Cake;
• Wheat;
• Soy;
• Premix;
• Shell rock;
• Powdered chalk;
• Fish and bone meal;

It is given to chickens whose age ranges from 10 days to 1 month. During this period, the bird gains the bulk of its mass. The composition remains virtually unchanged, but it is necessary to include protein, and the food must be prepared in the form of mash. During this period, the broiler needs at least 120 grams of feed per head per day.

• Wheat (15%);
• Barley (9%);
• Corn (46%);
• Makukha (sunflower seed cake);
• Feed yeast (3%);
• Fish or bone meal (4%);
• Crushed chalk, greens, feed fat (1% each).

We have already provided a table above, thanks to which you can calculate the feed. But in short, from birth to 2 weeks, chickens should receive 38 grams; from 14 to 28 days, the volume should be increased to 100 grams per day. From 28 to 45 days, 150 grams are consumed per head. In 45 days, the bird should gain 2.6 kg of live weight.

Typically, owners of private farmsteads who raise broilers produce their own feed or purchase the feed that they can get. But if you have a choice, then it is better, of course, to understand the compositions and purchase feed for each period of growing broiler chickens for a balanced diet.

The starter feed should include:

• Barley (8%);
• Corn dirt (50%);
• Meal or makuhu (14%);
• Finely ground wheat (16%);
• Low-fat kefir or whey (12%).

There is a special feed for hatched chickens - PK-6-1. But it is much more profitable to prepare your own food based on the above components instead of ready-made granulated food.

Such homemade food should consist of:

• Ground corn (48%);
• Wheat dirt (13%);
• Sunflower cake (19%);
• Fish or meat and bone meal (7%);
• Dry skim milk (3%);
• Yeast (5%);
• Feed fat (1%);
• Fresh herbs (3%).

There is factory-made feed PK-6-2 for broiler chickens aged 2 weeks and older. It consists of larger granules and includes meat and bone meal, lysine and vegetable oil.

In essence, you get a finishing feed for broilers with your own hands. If possible, it should include:

From the age of 1 month, grain crops such as wheat and barley can be given uncrushed, preferably sprouted.

It is useful to add chalk, fish meal, yeast, and various vitamin and mineral supplements to the above composition.

Preparing feed for broiler chickens is not a difficult task, the main thing is to maintain balance. But to keep poultry healthy, its diet (especially chickens) can be supplemented with dairy products (a source of animal protein and calcium):

• Serum;
• Buttermilk;
• Low-fat fresh cottage cheese;
• Reverse;
• Curdled milk.

Nettle. Rich in vitamins A, E, K, carotene, ascorbic acid, microelements. Especially useful fresh for chickens (can be given from 3 days). You can dry it for the winter.

Grass. It, like nettle, can be given in crushed form to broiler chickens from 2-3 days. For the winter, you can dry hay in bundles and hang it in the chicken coop.

Peas. An excellent source of protein that promotes weight gain and growth. It is better to feed chickens in crushed form as part of wet mash for better absorption.

Bread. The bread contains yeast, which has a beneficial effect on weight gain. It is not advisable to give fresh bread; dried crusts are better. Also, never give moldy bread - it can cause poisoning. Although this product is useful, it is not recommended to add it to the main feed too often.

Despite the fact that chickens are practically omnivores and often feed on pasture, the following foods are contraindicated for them:

• Vegetable and butter;
• Alcohol and fermentation products;
• New milk;
• Soaked bread;
• Sand too fine;
• Boiled potatoes without anything;
• Stale table waste;
• Sausage;
• Chocolate and cocoa;
• Cheese;
• Citrus peeling;
• Jam.

Greenery

This is the main source of vitamins for chicks. Greens should be on the menu to strengthen their immunity and prevent the development of infections.

Onion and garlic

Green onions prevent gastrointestinal disorders and the appearance of helminths. For birds, it is better to use green onions - green onions have a pungent odor that can scare them away.

Garlic improves immunity, destroys germs and parasites in the body. It contains sulfur and vitamins.

Sorrel

Sorrel is necessary for chickens - it contains a lot of protein, carbohydrates, microelements, vitamins A, C, E.

Nettle and dandelions

This greenery has a general strengthening effect. It increases the chicks' resistance to various infections. Nettles are high in protein and vitamins, especially vitamin C. Dandelions contain niacin and carotene.

Vegetables

Vegetables are an essential component of a chicken's diet.

Cabbage

It is given to chickens from five days of age. Cabbage contains sulfur, potassium and other substances necessary for the growth of chicks. But it contains too much fiber, which can irritate the delicate stomachs of chickens, so it is grated on a fine grater and put into the mash. Cabbage can be mixed with cereals. For ten birds, give a teaspoon of grated cabbage.

Potatoes, pumpkin, carrots

These vegetables are given to chicks from ten days of age:

Twenty-day-old birds need five grams of vegetables per day, thirty-day-old birds need ten, three-month-old birds need one hundred. Boiled vegetables are placed in the mash.

Peas

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Shell rock for chickens

Peas contain a lot of vegetable protein. It contains an important trace element - the amino acid lysine, which stimulates muscle development.

Protein sources

Protein is essential for the growth of babies. Their diet should include foods high in animal protein.

Dairy

Of these, the most important is cottage cheese, which is necessary for chickens to develop properly. It benefits the body as it contains calcium and vitamin D, without which the chicks will not grow up healthy. Cottage cheese also contains a lot of lactic acid bacteria, which improve intestinal function.

Kefir and yogurt are also beneficial for chicks.

Yeast

This is a valuable product that must be included in the diet of chickens. Yeast is a storehouse of B vitamins. It improves the health of chicks and accelerates their growth.

Boiled eggs

Crushed egg yolks are the first food a newborn chick receives. Chickens need eggs as sources of protein, amino acids, enzymes and vitamins D, B, C.

It is necessary to improve feather growth in birds.

Insects and worms are good additions to the diet. They contain a lot of protein necessary for the growth of babies. Birds independently find beetles and worms while walking. To enrich the diet with protein, you can dig up worms and give them to the chickens. Some farmers specifically breed them in special devices - worm traps.

Shells and gravel

Shells are a source of calcium, which helps strengthen chickens' bones. Crushed shells are poured into separate feeders for the chicks from the age of five days. The chicks peck at them with pleasure.

To improve digestion, fine gravel is added to the chickens' feed. It cleanses the gastrointestinal tract of babies and helps them digest rough food.

Let's sum it up

Feeding chickens wheat germ is not just a healthy habit. Since ancient times, this addition to the diet of birds has become a necessity, and not an additional option. It should be noted that birds that regularly receive this element of the diet become healthier and stronger inside and out. For laying hens, sprouted wheat is a real panacea. After eating special grains, the egg production of birds increases significantly.

Even a beginner can cope with wheat germination

The quality of the final product – eggs – also improves. They are larger and tastier than regular ones. Eggs from a well-nourished mother are also ideal for incubation. The endurance and other health indicators of future chicks are much higher than those of those chicks whose mothers did not receive feeding.

You can add sprouted grains to the diet of chickens at any time of the year, but it is especially important to introduce them to the menu in winter, when the chickens’ body needs additional support.

Video: Compound feed for laying hens or how to make even a rooster lay eggs

Chickens can eat anything. But we must not forget about the health of chickens; their food should be varied and balanced. Then they will lay eggs regularly, and the meat will be tasty and juicy.

The egg production of chickens depends on a number of factors, with feeding being perhaps the main one. What to feed laying hens to help them lay eggs better? How to choose a diet and calculate the amount of feed per bird? Without finding the answer to these and many other questions, novice poultry farmers often do not receive the products they are due from chickens.

Building a defense

Have you noticed that some people can sit quietly in a draft, walk in the cold in a light jacket, swim in a cold river, communicate with friends who have a cold, and still not get sick? While others take care of themselves with all their might, wear gauze masks during epidemics, wrap themselves in warm sweaters and woolen socks, and still do not recover from colds? What is this connected with? It's all about immunity!

Our immunity is the body's main defense mechanism against viruses and bacteria. The development of the immune system in the process of evolution determined the very possibility of human existence. Immunity can be innate and adaptive (acquired).

Innate immunity is the body’s ability to recognize and neutralize various bacteria and viruses based on common characteristics. As the name implies, this is a basic property of the body that it receives at birth. Adaptive immunity recognizes more specific, individual pathogens; it is formed in the process of encountering them, after illnesses or vaccinations.

What not to give to chickens

Herbs that pose a great danger to chickens include:

They can cause severe poisoning in birds. Chicks should not be allowed to roam where these herbs grow. Rotten tops, rotten grass, moldy feed also lead to diseases in chickens.

Sand should not be given to chickens. It clogs the crop and clogs the stomach of the chicks. Sand can cause intestinal obstruction. It mixes with droppings and sticks to birds' feet, which can cause skin irritation. Instead of sand, birds are given fine gravel.

Shell and sand

Shell belongs to the so-called mineral supplements, which are included in the diet of feathered babies from the fifth day of life. Chickens need minerals no less than vitamins. Choose a crushed shell and pour it into feeders, giving the chickens the opportunity to dig around there and peck at individual grains of sand.

But sand is not recommended for small birds. Fine-grained sand clogs the curly goiter and can cause obstruction. Instead of sand, most farmers give their birds fine gravel (grain size 2-5 mm); it cleans the birds' esophagus and helps grind especially coarse food.

Features of feeding meat breeds

After hatching, meat chickens can be fed the same as egg chickens, that is, give them a hard-boiled and finely chopped egg. You don't need to give anything else on the first day. On the 2nd day, it is permissible to feed a mash of low-fat cottage cheese and boiled eggs; from the next day, the chickens can already be given grass: finely chopped nettles, onions, dandelions, parsley, dill, green legumes, herbs and crops. Grain (millet, oats, wheat, corn, barley) is fed in crushed and boiled form. The share of grain cereals in the diet of meat breed chickens should be at least 50%. You need to mix the mash with water, but, like egg chickens, it is useful for meat breed chickens to drink skim milk and whey.

As an option, you can also sprout whole grains (barley is best suited for this purpose) and feed it in this form.

From this age, chickens can be fed boiled carrots and potatoes. Children of meat breeds also need vitamins: you can use a homemade oil solution of liquid vitamins A, E and D. The rate of administration of vitamin supplements for chickens of meat breeds should be increased by about 1.5 times.

Eggs can only be fed for up to 10 days. Mineral supplements should be introduced from 1.5-2 weeks of age: give the chicks chalk, shells, crushed shells, salt, premixes, yeast. Then you can start feeding them with meal and cake, boiled vegetables and root vegetables, bread crumbs, as well as food of animal origin: meat or fish waste, table scraps. The mash can be mixed with broth or whey.

Chickens of meat breeds differ from egg breeds in that they require more complete proteins and vitamins, so their diet must be formulated taking this into account. Therefore, it is necessary to give more protein feed, such as legumes (grains and green matter), meat and bone and fish meal, and fresh kitchen waste. It should also be taken into account that they eat more, so they need to be fed more often, especially in the first days of life.

Feeding chickens belonging to meat breeds can be greatly simplified if, instead of home-prepared food, you feed them commercially produced compound feed. It should be given in plenty: the dry mixture should be kept in the feeders at all times. Naturally, you need to make sure that the young animals always have fresh water available; it needs to be changed every day. In addition to food and water, birds need a bowl of fine gravel or sand.

How to create a chicken diet depending on age

The chicks grow quickly, so you need to feed them plenty. They should always have food in their feeders. Water is needed to digest food. It needs to be changed regularly in drinking bowls. Chicks up to seven days of age are given warm boiled water, then its temperature is reduced to room temperature.

Newborn chicks

Chicks are fed for the first time 12–16 hours after hatching. They are given a chopped egg. In the first days, birds are fed every two hours.

In the first week, they are given starter feed, an egg mixed with semolina, millet, as well as greens, cottage cheese, and green onions. Spoiled food must be removed from the feeders.

Weekly

The chicks are given compound feed, a mash of vegetables, cereals, herbs, cottage cheese or kefir. They are fed at least seven times a day.

Two week old chicks

For birds, bread and fish soaked in water are added to the mash. Compound feeds are gradually being replaced with bran. The chicks are fed six to seven times a day.

Month old chicks

At this age, birds are already allowed to walk outside. They independently find greens and insects for themselves. They continue to be fed a mash of vegetables, fermented milk products and cereals. This is the age when chickens can be given grains. The birds are given coarse grain, which is gradually replaced with whole grain. Fine gravel is placed in separate feeders.

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Bread

1. Chickens can be fed bread, but it must be served correctly. You cannot steam it, as this will make it sticky and can clog the beak or cause diarrhea. Chickens can only eat white bread - black has too much acidity. Even for adult chickens it is not recommended more than once a month. It is best to use stale (but not spoiled) bread or crackers, after soaking them in water, milk or yogurt. Before putting it in the feeder, it should be squeezed out. Bread can also be added to wet mash.
2. It is best to give bread to chicks that are already 7 days old.
3. The bread is soaked in water in a ratio of 1:2.
4. It is a good source of carbohydrates and proteins. It contains a variety of minerals (silicon, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, selenium, copper and others). In addition, almost the entire group of B vitamins is present, as well as vitamins PP, E, H.

Owners of broiler chickens will be interested to learn about the nutritional characteristics of young birds and the benefits of nettles for their diet.

Description of the cereal

Poultry farmers often discuss the diet of young and adult birds, whether it is possible to feed millet to chickens. Some poultry farmers consider it a useless grain. There is an opinion that chickens should be fed with compound feed for the first 5 days.

The mixture is balanced in all nutrients. It promotes the formation of immunity in chicks. Few people read the composition of feed, but the mixture for feeding young animals includes purified millet. What is its value?

The energy value of the product is 342 kcal per 100 g. The feed mixtures used for chickens are quite nutritious. The main part of the cereal is carbohydrates. There are more than 66% of them in grain.

Lots of protein – 11.5%. Millet contains 3.6% fiber and almost the same amount of fat. Cereal is well absorbed by the body and is considered a light food.

Millet contains a large amount of thiamine and vitamin B1, 28%. It plays an important role in carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism. Reduces the permeability of cell membranes by toxic substances.

Thiamine deficiency is determined by indigestion, heart failure, and nervous system disorders. Muscle cramps occur, including the heart muscle. Chickens become lethargic, they have no appetite, and their immunity sharply decreases.

Both millet and millet are chosen for feeding poultry. Cereals should not be rancid. Before feeding the grain to chickens, it is recommended to soak it in water for a day to remove possible bitterness. Prepared millet is used to cook porridge or prepare mash.

Protein metabolism occurs with the participation of pyridoxine. This is vitamin B6. Its volume in millet occupies 26%. The vitamin promotes the formation of leukocytes and maintains normal hemoglobin levels in the blood. Pyridoxine is especially necessary for the individuals that make up the parent flock.

Reproductive functions are supported by folic acid and vitamin B9. It helps to increase the egg production period in chickens. Chickens are given vitamin supplements for full development and accelerated growth. Millet contains 10% folic acid:

Of the mineral substances in cereals, silicon is the most abundant. This substance strengthens the immune system, reduces inflammation, and is an antioxidant. Millet contains magnesium, iron, copper, selenium, cobalt, zinc, chromium, and a little iodine.

Mineral salts are necessary during the growth period of chicks, during the molting of birds. They ensure the correct formation of eggs in chickens.

Beneficial features

The undoubted benefits of sprouted wheat are evidenced by the fact that this unique product is added to the daily diet by many of our contemporaries - numerous fans of proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. This is an effective preventative against winter vitamin deficiency and various infectious diseases.

When wheat grains are sprouted, nutritional value accumulates and digestibility increases sharply. Dry grain contains difficult-to-digest forms of nutrients, which, when fed to chickens, are far from completely absorbed - only 60–70%.

Sprouted wheat contains essential amino acids, vitamins, microelements, and ascorbic acid. When feeding sprouted wheat grains to chickens, egg production improves, and chickens begin to lay really large, tasty eggs. In addition, immunity increases, metabolism accelerates, the musculoskeletal system is strengthened, digestion is normalized, and obesity problems go away.

The high nutritional value of sprouted wheat does not mean that chickens can be fed only it alone. With exceptional energy value, it is a dietary product. As part of the grain diet, sprouted wheat does not normally exceed 30% of the total amount of feed. The diet should be varied and fully replenish the nutritional resources in the body of laying hens.

How to germinate

Every novice poultry farmer can germinate wheat at home. To do this, you do not need to tediously master special agricultural literature and have extensive practical experience. All you need is dry wheat grain, clean water and a suitable container for soaking. It is best to use enamel, ceramic or glassware to eliminate the risk of product interaction with metal.

Grain selection

The properties of germinating sprouts depend on the quality of dry grain. Experienced poultry farmers advise not to skimp on birds and to choose full-weight grain of golden or light brown color without foreign impurities and debris. With good complementary feeding, chickens will increase productivity, eggs will become larger, and the costs will more than pay off. But with a large number of poultry on farms, feed grain is also used in order to save the budget. It will also make a good nutritious feed, albeit inferior in quality to high-quality wheat. When purchasing wheat, you need to check for foreign odors and traces of mold. If you have the slightest suspicion of questionable quality, you should refuse such grain without hesitation, even if it is offered at a bargain price. You should not be tempted to buy, so as not to risk the health of the corydalis - the harm can be significant.

Soak

Before soaking, the container is thoroughly washed and rinsed with a solution of potassium permanganate for disinfection. Wheat is poured into a container and filled with water 2-3 times for rinsing. Various impurities, husks, small debris float up and merge with dirty water. Then the clean wheat is poured with warm water at a temperature of +40–45 degrees. The water level should be 1.5–2 cm higher than the grains. When storing dry wheat in the cold, the water for soaking must be taken hot in order to awaken the sprout buds sleeping in the grains with a heat shock, but in the end the final temperature must still be adjusted to +40– 45 degrees, mixing the grain in a container and gradually adding cold water to the desired temperature. The container with the soaked grain is covered with a lid to prevent moisture evaporation and placed in a dark, warm place for about 15–17 hours.

Laying out the grains

This is the most critical stage. It is necessary to prepare in advance a warm place without drafts, where the wheat is laid out after soaking. At home, this can be a wide shallow tray, a baking sheet or oilcloth spread on a flat surface.

After aging, excess water is drained from the container, and the grain is removed and laid out in a thin layer (up to 5 cm). If the layer of wheat is thick, the grains may begin to rot, and then all the complementary food will have to be thrown away. Financial costs, time and labor will be wasted.