Brenda Khan
Chickens require a balanced diet of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and protein to stay healthy and produce eggs. Feathers are made up of between 85% and 90% protein, so it is important to supplement their diet with extra protein during the moulting season. There are many ways to add extra protein to a chicken's diet, including feeding them mealworms, fish, eggs, meat, cat food, seeds, grains, and vegetables.
How to add extra protein to a chicken's diet
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chicken diet protein percentage | 16-20% |
| Protein-rich food | Fish meal, eggs, cat food, oats, milk, cottage cheese, yogurt, hard cheese, meat, mealworms, black oil sunflower seeds, game bird feed, beans, rice, shrimp, lobster, parsley, canned salmon, tuna, sardines |
| Chicken behaviour with low protein intake | Molting, picking each other's tail feathers |
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What You'll Learn
Feed chickens mealworms, meat, fish, or eggs
Feeding your chickens mealworms, meat, fish, or eggs is a great way to add protein to their diet. While modern chicken feed is grain-based, chickens in the wild were omnivores, supplementing their diets with insects, bugs, and other sources of protein.
Mealworms are a great treat for chickens and can be used to train them. They are high in protein and can be fed to chickens daily, either dried or raw. However, they should not exceed 10% of their daily diet, and it is important to switch up their diet with other treats and sources of protein.
Fish is another excellent source of protein for chickens and can be fed to them raw or cooked, whole or chopped, fresh or dried. However, it is important to avoid giving chickens seasoned fish, as many human seasonings can be toxic or unhealthy for them. Fish should be given as an occasional treat, supplementing their regular feed.
Eggs are also a healthy treat for chickens, providing them with extra protein and vitamins. They can be served scrambled or hard-boiled, with or without the shell. The egg whites contain most of the protein, while the yolks contain vitamins and healthy fats.
In addition to these sources of protein, chickens can also be fed meat, insects, and kitchen scraps. It is important to ensure that their diet is varied and includes enough protein to keep them healthy and happy.
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Increase protein in winter and after moulting
Chickens need more protein in winter as they moult and prepare for the cold. Increasing protein in their diet helps them better prepare for winter as they regrow quality feathers. In addition, added protein helps younger birds with muscle and skeletal development.
During winter, additional amino acids play a significant role in maintaining daily egg production, adaptation to the environment and feather growth for warmth, along with other biological functions.
You can increase the protein content in your chicken's feed by mixing game bird food 1:1 with their regular feed. Game bird food has more protein than laying rations, so when mixed, you can increase the overall protein content without overloading on protein. You can also supplement their diet with high-carbohydrate treats such as scratch, or whole grains and corn. This is especially good in the evening or on cold days in the winter months.
Mealworms are another great source of protein for chickens and can be raised at home or purchased from stores and farms. They contain 53% protein and chickens love them! You can also feed your chickens scrambled eggs and boiled eggs mashed up, along with the shell, to provide them with extra protein.
It is important to note that protein consumption will change as chickens grow. Chicks need more protein than older chickens. In the case of excessive protein consumption, you may observe looser bowel movements, blistered feet, respiratory problems, and increased ammonia production in their coop.
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Give them whole oats for protein, calcium, and fibre
While chickens need a varied diet to meet all their nutritional requirements, whole oats can be a great addition to their feed. Oats are a good source of protein, calcium, and fibre. They also contain iron and other vitamins and minerals.
Oats are not glutenous but contain a similar type of protein called avenin, which is also found in wheat. Oats have a higher protein content than most other grains, at 11-17% of dry weight. The major protein in oats is avenalin, which is not found in any other grain but is similar to legume proteins.
However, it is important to note that whole oats should not be the sole feed for chickens. This is because, while oats have a high protein content, they do not provide a balanced diet on their own. The oat hulls contain far more fibre than a hen needs, and the high fibre content reduces the availability of dietary energy and other nutrients. Therefore, it is recommended to mix whole oats with other foods such as corn and wheat, or feed them alongside commercial chicken pellets.
One way to include whole oats in a chicken's diet is to mix them with raw oatmeal and flax oil. This provides extra nutrition on top of their daily feed. It is also important to ensure that chickens have access to calcium and grit, especially in the winter when they may be getting all their nutrients from their feed.
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Try shrimp and lobster meat for essential amino acids
While chicken feed is usually complete with all the nutrients and protein that chickens need, you can always supplement their diet with extra protein. This is especially important during the winter when chickens are getting 100% of their nutrients from their feed.
One way to do this is by adding shrimp and lobster meat to their diet. Shrimp is a great source of protein and is also low in calories, carbs, and fat. An 85-gram serving of shrimp provides 20 grams of protein and zero saturated fat. Lobster, on the other hand, is a good source of lean protein and essential amino acids. It is also low in calories and fat, making it a healthy option for chickens.
It is important to note that not all high-protein foods are created equal. Some sources of protein, like shrimp and lobster, contain all the essential amino acids that chickens need to stay healthy. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and proteins with all nine essential amino acids are considered "complete" proteins and are the highest quality protein sources.
In addition to shrimp and lobster, other animal sources of essential amino acids include chicken, turkey, scallops, and fish like halibut, tuna, and salmon. Fish is an excellent amino acid-rich food, and a 3-ounce serving of halibut, tuna, or salmon provides about 22 grams of protein. However, it is important to be cautious when feeding chickens fish, as some people believe it may taint the taste of their eggs, although there is no evidence to support this claim.
By adding shrimp and lobster meat to their diet, you can ensure that your chickens are getting the essential amino acids they need to stay healthy and maintain strong immune systems.
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Chickens in hot climates need slightly more protein
Chickens in hot climates also require special housing considerations, such as well-ventilated coops that provide ample shade and airflow. Additionally, it is important to ensure that the coop is not located in direct sunlight and that there is sufficient ventilation to keep the temperature down.
Regarding protein sources, mealworms are a popular option for chickens in hot climates as they are a good source of protein and can be scattered around the run to encourage scratching and foraging. They can also be added to chicken porridge or pumpkin treats. However, it is important not to overdo it, and it is recommended to give no more than a few mealworms per chicken a couple of times a week.
Other sources of protein for chickens include fish meal, which is a processed option with added chemicals to prevent decomposition, and cat food, which is high in protein and can be dry or wet. It is also worth noting that chickens can be fed dairy products such as sour milk, cottage cheese, and yoghurt, as well as eggs, which can be scrambled, boiled, and mashed up.
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Frequently asked questions
Chickens need extra protein to help with moulting, to adapt to colder weather and to produce eggs.
It is recommended that protein makes up about 16% of a chicken's diet. However, chickens in hot and humid climates may need slightly more protein, at about 18-19%.
High-protein snacks for chickens include mealworms, eggs, fish meal, shrimp, lobster, and canned tuna or sardines without additives.
It is recommended that chickens are given no more than an extra teaspoon of protein per day. Mealworms should be limited to a few per chicken a couple of times a week.
Yes, too much protein can cause a rise in water consumption, resulting in wetter litter. This can cause blisters and burns on the chicken's skin and damage plants if the bedding material is used as fertilizer.
