Fish meal for laying hens: how much to give and is it possible, benefits, rules for use

For the rapid growth and development of poultry in a farm or homestead, its diet is of paramount importance. It should be rich and balanced. You should know what are the benefits of feeds of different compositions, how much fishmeal to give to laying hens to replenish a number of important trace elements. This knowledge helps not only in raising poultry, but also in increasing its productivity, strengthening immunity.

What fishmeal is made of and its composition

Raw materials for additives - tissues and bones, fish waste.Any fish and crustaceans are used. Flour is produced both at sea, on fishing vessels, and on the shore. To do this, the fish is boiled, dried, dried and crushed. The result is a product - fatty or dry flour. Depending on the manufacturer, it includes different components. The main ones are:

• 65% protein - essential for egg formation, bird growth acceleration, plumage elasticity;
• 14% fat - needed to strengthen immunity, reduce the mortality rate of chickens, improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
• 14% ash - a source of calcium;
• 8% polyunsaturated acids - strengthen the immunity of laying hens.

Fishmeal contains vitamins, macro- and microelements.

Benefits for chickens

The use of the supplement in the diet of chickens leads to many positive changes:

• the immune system of the bird is strengthened;
• egg production increases significantly;
• nutrients are better absorbed;
• young feathers pass faster;
• chickens become more active, more energetic;
• young growth quickly builds mass;
• production profitability increases;
• product quality improves.

How much fishmeal can I give?

Despite the obvious benefits of using fish concentrate, the dosage must be strictly adhered to in order to get the maximum effect on the he alth of chickens. Flour can make up 3% to 10% of a bird's diet.

If the compound feed is not balanced in amino acids, then its use is especially important.

It should be remembered that two weeks before slaughter, it is necessary to exclude fishmeal from the diet of birds, as the meat may leave an aftertaste. Exceeding the dose leads to the formation of stomach ulcers due to an increase in the concentration of cadaverine and histamine.

Laying hens

According to the recommendations of experts, each laying hen can receive at least 10 g of fishmeal per day. However, it should not exceed 7% of the total daily feed for chickens. As a result of adding to the diet, the digestion of birds improves, eggs are more nutritious, their number increases significantly, chickens get sick less often.

Broilers

Growing broilers, breeders without fail introduce fishmeal into their diet. The material costs of the additive are more than compensated by the increase in the yield of poultry meat. Broilers are growing fast. Their digestion is normalized, obesity does not develop. Regular use of the fish supplement leads to the fact that poultry meat acquires a rich taste, becomes soft and juicy.

For broilers, there is a scheme for using the additive. Dose increases gradually:

• do not add fishmeal for the first 5 days;
• in the next 5 days, the consumption rate is from 0.5 to 1 g per individual;
• 11 to 20 days - 1.5 to 2g per broiler;
• From day 21 to day 30, the dose is increased to 3 g per 1 bird;
• in the second month of life, the dose is 5 g per individual.

Exceeding the dose is unacceptable, since gout and impaired protein metabolism are possible.

Chickens

With the regular use of fishmeal as an additive to chicken feed, the productive characteristics of young animals are significantly increased:

• growth and development of the bird accelerates, it enters puberty faster;
• immunity strengthens and chick survival rate increases;
• young animals are rapidly gaining weight and quickly reach the required slaughter weight.

From the 15th day of life, fishmeal is included in the diet of chickens in the amount of 2% of the total volume of feed given out, from the 20th day - 5%. The average feeding weight is 2 g per day per chicken.

When you should refuse

Despite the fact that the instructions for using flour indicate that there are no contraindications for use, in some cases it is worth refusing to use it:

• if the fat content is very high (more than 18%);
• if the rules for its storage are not followed;
• before slaughtering poultry, so as not to get meat with the smell and taste of fish.

Flour should be stored in a dry, dark place with good ventilation, humidity up to 75% and at an air temperature not higher than 30 ⁰С. Shelf life in original packaging is 1 year.

Can I give chickens raw fish

For laying hens, fish is a valuable product enriched with vitamins, minerals and trace elements. You need to know what breed and in what form should be fed to chickens, and what should be discarded.

River fish are good for birds, but they are often helminth-infested because many pathogens develop in fresh water. When parasites enter the bird's digestive tract, they can quickly develop and infect the entire flock.

Inhabitants of s alty sea water are much less likely to be affected by coelenterates, so sea fish are more often fed to chickens (sprat, blue whiting, pollock, herring).

S alted fish

This type of fish products is one of the most undesirable for poultry, since s alt should enter its body in strictly limited quantities - no more than 0.3% of the daily feed ration.

S alted fish can only be given to chickens after it has been soaked for a long time. Most often, poultry farmers do not risk using such a product for feeding, so as not to exceed the s alt intake.

If the product has been soaked for a long time, it is given to the bird in the amount of 70 g per bird per week.

Raw fish

The rules for feeding raw fish depend on the age and characteristics of the bird. Many farmers and backyard owners do not allow this product to be fed to laying hens because they believe that the eggs acquire an unpleasant taste and smell.

When feeding poultry with a raw product, it is worth considering the rules:

• marine commercial fish is added to chicken feed in the form of minced meat;
• fresh river must be cooked before feeding;
• Chickens are not fed raw fish.

Boiled

Most often, poultry farmers use boiled fish - a completely safe product if it is brought to a state of softened bones. To this end, it is cooked in boiling water for at least 20 minutes. A decoction can be used for wet mash. Then it is ground in a meat grinder or, divided into pieces, given to the bird. Consumption rates - 70 g per chicken per week.

Fishmeal

An alternative to a fresh product is flour, which is obtained as a result of the processing of waste from fish enterprises. Higher valued low-fat (2-3%), which is well stored. Product benefits include:

• high in protein, minerals;
• calcium affects shell quality and egg shelf life;
• protein contributes to the rapid growth of the broiler skeletal system and their muscle mass;
• supplement easy to store and use;
• The use of bone meal can reduce the cost of raising poultry and getting eggs.

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