What to feed for Omega-3?

[2DogsFarm]

Since my pullets have started laying I'd like to make sure the eggs are good for me by adding Omega-3.

What can I add to their feed to increase this?

Does anyone here feed canned kidney beans?

 

[edb]

I don't know about beans but as in the other post, fish meal is great. The oil present in stabilized meal has a relatively low concentration of linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid for poultry. However, the oil is an excellent source of the essential fatty acid, linolenic. The fatty acids present in the oil in fishmeal can contribute to the requirement of poultry for essential fatty acids.

Supplementing low levels of fishmeal in broiler and laying hen diets has been shown to increase the omega-3-fatty acid content of broiler meat and eggs. Current knowledge in the area of cardiovascular disease indicates that the presence of the omega-3-fatty acids in the human diet is related to a lower incidence of heart attack.
Hope this helps.

 

[dlhunicorn]

They have cheap human grade omega 3-6 supplements...

 

[PeeperKeeper]

I feed mine flax seed from Vita Cost.com

 

[vnploveschickens]

I add whole ground flaxseed meal to their treats, oatmeal, rice/eggs, yogurt, applesauce, etc. The kids like it, and hopefully the eggs are healthier for us people.

 

[2DogsFarm]

Thanks all - I'll look for fish meal and/or flax seed.

Kidney beans are a good source for people, so I just wondered if I could get off cheaply - assuming my girls would eat them.

A friend gave me some organic cauliflower trimmings but my junkfood junkies turned up their beaks.
They prefer raisins.
And probably Cheetos if I gave those to them...

 

[digitS']

You would need to cook the beans so that antinutrients do not interfere with their digestion. I wouldn't feed them very many.

The Manitoba agriculture agency recommends only 10% flaxseed in a laying hen's diet. Too much, will make the eggs taste "fishy" as I understand it (I don't feed flaxseed). And, there are all sorts of other reasons not to feed in excess including damaging the health of your birds.

Keep in mind that the formula they suggest includes "layer supplement" - that is not simply layer feed. It is a supplement that is formulated to balance the other ingredients in their ration.

Hope this helps . . .

Steve

edited to say: Ah, I see now you were talking about "canned" kidney beans! They would already be cooked. I doubt if you could save any money feeding a canned human food compared to grain prices, even flaxseed, if you can find a livestock feed source.

 

[2DogsFarm]

digitS' :

edited to say: Ah, I see now you were talking about "canned" kidney beans! They would already be cooked. I doubt if you could save any money feeding a canned human food compared to grain prices, even flaxseed, if you can find a livestock feed source.

Steve;
I only have 5 hens - still pullets really - so a can would last them at least a couple days. IF they would eat them at all.
So far the only treats they are interested in are yogurt, oatmeal, sunflower seeds, crimped oats, grapes & raisins.

I'd feed the beans just as a treat/supplement for the added Omega 3s in the eggs.
I don't know if my feedstore carries flaxseed, but there are a couple bulk food places near me who do.
Do I need to grind the flaxseed or can it be fed whole?​

 

[digitS']

Quote:
The Manitoba folks say, "It is recommended that you feed the flaxseed to your hens as whole seeds instead of grinding it up. The fat in flaxseed tends to become rancid quickly once the seed has been ground. Rancid fat can give off flavours in the egg, increase the hens' need for vitamins such as Vitamin E, cause egg production to fall, and most importantly will not increase the omega-3 fatty acid levels in the eggs. Grinding the seed will also produce an oily ration, which tends to stick to your feeders."

Steve

 

[2DogsFarm]

digitS'[b :

The Manitoba folks say, [/b]"It is recommended that you feed the flaxseed to your hens as whole seeds instead of grinding it up. Steve

Yay!!!
Less work for me!!!!!
I think I'll start adding flaxseed to both our diets - chickens & me