1. Poultry Improvement Contest Feed Stuffs

2. Review I know that chickens need six essential nutrients, but how do I know: What feed stuffs contain these nutrients? How much of each? What to look for when purchasing feed? How much to feed chickens?

3. Feed Categories Energy feed stuffs. Animal and vegetable protein supplements. Mineral supplements. Vitamin supplements. Non-nutritive additives.

4. What Feed Stuffs to Look For? First you need to know that you are looking for a source of energy. It is the largest dietary need for poultry. Energy is needed for: »cellular activity, respiration, circulation, voluntary activities, digestion, absorption, thermal regulation, waste formation, excretion, formation of tissue and feathers, and reproduction.

5. Energy Feed Stuffs Cereal grains make up the chief sources of energy and the largest portion of the ration. Corn makes up about 1/3 of all feed consumed by poultry. Yellow corn is preferred because of its Vitamin A content and xanthophyll pigment which is absorbed and gives the skin and egg yolks a nice yellow color.

6. OK, I Need Energy, What Else? Protein The protein requirements must be met. Remember that protein makes muscle and you want your chickens to have huge muscles (muscle is meat).

7. Protein Grains such as corn that are being fed to meet ENERGY requirements do contain protein, however, they may not contain enough. Thus, protein must be added to the ration. It is the most costly part of the ration.

8. Protein-Continued Protein from animal products such as milk by-products, meat scraps and fish meal are very high in protein and can easily correct the protein deficiencies. However, they are very, very costly and not very palatable. (If your chickens do not like it, they are not going to eat it very good).

9. The Best Protein Supplement Soybean meal, without the hull is about 55% protein. Soybean meal, with the hull is about 45% protein. Soybean meal is very high quality protein and it is less costly then other protein supplements.

10. Feed Stuffs-Continued Wheat is also used in some areas, but the price tends to be too high. Grain sorghums or milo are another widely used source of grains particularly in the south and southwest areas. Other grains used are oats and barley but they are not as desirable.

11. Energy Continued When maintenance functions are filled, energy can be used for GROWTH, followed by reproduction. Then it can be stored as fat.