When tested on my small flock, throwing down some Black Soldier Fly larvae brought my birds running, they obviously found dried larvae delicious.
Whether raising layers, broilers, or dual-purpose poultry, all farmers have one thing in common; they are feeding their livestock protein. Protein is arguably the most important building block for healthy and productive poultry, and as with anything in life, all protein sources are not created equal.
Check the tag on a bag of commercial poultry feed and you’ll see the commonly used protein sources will include ingredients like corn, peas, canola, bone meal, fish meal and soybean meal, with a heavy emphasis on canola, corn and soybean. These three ingredients also happen to be among the most commonly genetically modified (GMO) seeds in North America.
According to the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications, of the crops grown in Canada in 2016, 94 per cent of soybeans, 92 per cent of corn and 93 per cent of canola crops were genetically modified. With today’s spotlight on the future of genetically modified grains in Canada, many small farmers are turning away from GMO products, and the commercial feed mixtures where it’s found.
So, what’s the alternative? For a small farmer with enough motivation it is possible to grow or mix your own feed for your flock, and while getting the right mix of nutrients, vitamins and minerals in your self-made ration can be challenging, sourcing protein alternatives can be the biggest issue.
What’s in a poultry ration anyway?
Poultry ration is a complex mixture of carbohydrates (energy), fats, minerals, vitamins and protein. The mixture of these different components will vary depending on what type of bird you are raising (broiler, layer) and the feed you purchase.
In commercial poultry feed, chick starter will generally contain 20-to-24 per cent protein, while a broiler ration will contain 16-to-20 per cent, laying mash 15-to-18 per cent, and an all-purpose feed 16 per cent protein. Standard commercial poultry ration will also contain vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, salt and grit, all necessary building blocks for proper bird growth and development.
For farmers looking to mix their own ration, starting with mixed cereal grains (roughly a 10-to-12 per cent protein) will give a good foundation. Other nutrients like calcium and phosphorus must also be added in the right proportions, and good sources include limestone, bone meal, oyster shells or even ground egg shells. You will also need to add iodized salt, roughly half-a-pound of salt per 100-lbs of ration, grit and medication (if desired).
Protein alternatives for the small farmer
When it comes to mixing your own poultry ration, getting the protein right is critical. Without the correct amount of protein, your birds won’t prosper, which is like throwing your grains right out the window. Here are a few protein supplements that are relatively easy to source on a small scale, or to grow your own. Compare crude protein (CP) values with soybeans, which sit between 40-to-50 per cent.
1. Lupins (CP: 34-to-44 per cent)
Lupins are high in protein and are also attractive. Neither of the species shown here look to be one of the desired species for feed, although they may be similar in appearance. Care should be taken to ensure lupins used in livestock feed are L. albus, L. angustifolius, or L. luteus.
Lupins are more than just pretty flowers you plant in your garden; they can also be a good source of protein. Most commonly used for livestock feed are the species white lupin (L. albus), blue or narrow-leafed lupin (L. angustifolius) and yellow lupin (L. luteus). Lupins are a high protein, nitrogen-fixing grain legume. And they’re also easy to grow.
2. Black Soldier Fly larvae (CP: 34 per cent)
Dried Black Soldier Fly larvae . . . gross looking, but chock full of protein.
A newcomer to the protein supplement world is Enterra Feed Corporation, a B.C. company that produces Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae, a species native to North America that is high in protein and fat. This environmentally friendly protein alternative utilizes lower land use than soybeans or grains, has lower greenhouse emissions than fish meal and consumes waste that would otherwise go to landfill.
In 2016, BSF larvae was approved for use for broilers in Canada. Approval for layers is expected to come within the next year. According to Victoria Leung, Enterra Marketing and Operations Manager, BSF larvae are “high in lauric acid and chitin, which on their own have been shown to have health benefits, including antimicrobial properties and prebiotic properties” (emphasis added). BSF is available as whole, dried larvae, meal or oil and can be purchased from Enterra.
3. Fodder (CP: 15.5 per cent)
Fodder can make a good supplement for poultry, but offers considerably less protein than other alternatives.
Sprouted grains can be a good source of protein for a small farmer with an existing system. After seven days, the crude protein in sprouted barley seeds increases significantly, however when the digestibility of the fodder is factored in this amount could jump even higher. More study is needed before using fodder as a sole-source protein for poultry, but it could be used to supplement a different protein source.
4. Mealworms (CP: 48 per cent)
As a protein supplement, beetle larvae offer a lot of bang for your buck: they are extremely high in protein, environmentally friendly and can be bred in cramped conditions, with a high food conversion efficiency. For a small farmer, mealworms can be produced with very little equipment and space, and can also be found in dried or powder form in pet food stores and some feed stores.
5. Roadkill maggots (CP: 50 per cent)
Yes, seriously. Bring home some roadkill, hang it in a bucket with a hole in the bottom, and as flies lay their eggs in the carcass the maggots will drop out of the hole to become a daily chicken buffet! The gift that keeps on giving.
The Pearson or Dairyman’s Square
You don’t need to be a mathematical genius to figure out the proportions of protein to cereal grains for your homemade feed, farmers have been figuring it out for hundreds of years with little more than scrap paper and a pencil. Here's how to use the Pearson or Dairyman’s Square to figure out your ratios:
- Draw a square. In the center of the square, write the protein content desired in the final mixture (ie. 20 per cent).
- At the upper left-hand corner write the protein content of your grains (ie. 10 per cent).
- At the lower left-hand corner, write your selected protein’s content (ie. 40 per cent).
- Subtract diagonally across the square and enter the results in the corners on the right-hand side (ie. 20-10=10; 40-20=20).
- The number at the upper right-hand corner will give you the parts of grains, while the number in the lower right-hand corner will give you the parts of protein to make up 20 per cent.
- To convert these numbers to a per cent, divide the desired protein content (20 per cent) by the total of the right-hand numbers added together (10 plus 20=30) and multiply by 100. In this example, your ratio would be 2:1 and your mix would contain 667 per cent grains and 33.33 per cent protein.
If you’re math challenged (like me) you can use this handy online calculator: http://homesteadapps.com/app/free/feedcalc/pearsonsquare.php.
- Amy Hogue