FEEDING AND NUTRITION
For the health and productivity of your birds it is important that they be fed diets that meet their nutritional requirements. Complete feeds can be purchased that are formulated to meet all the nutritional requirements (energy, protein and amino acids, fat, vitamins, macro- and micro-minerals, etc.) of a particular class of poultry. If mixing your own feed these nutritional requirements must be taken into account.
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Feeding chickens |
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NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
To understand the basis for the nutritional requirements of poultry it is important to have a basic understanding of the digestive anatomy and physiology of birds.
Avian digestive system (University of Kentucky)
The speed with which feed passes through the digestive tract will effect how well it is digested and the nutrients absorbed.
Feed passage in broilers: A complex problem (University of Florida)
The University of Georgia has a variety of user-friendly feed formulation programs that are available online.
FEED INGREDIENTS
A 'complete' poultry feed contains a combination of different ingredients used ot meet all the nutritional requirements of the bird. A variety of different feedstuff combinations can be used to achieve the same level of nutrients in the diet.
Common grains used in poultry diets
It is important that the ingredients used in making a poultry feed are clean of contamination, whether physical, fungal or bacterial.
Minimizing microbial contamination in feed mills producing poultry feed (University of Florida)
Mycotoxins are becoming a serious problem in the feed industry. Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by molds in animal feeds. Even if the mold is destroyed, the mycotoxin usually remains.The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine monitors the levels of mycotoxins in corn in the midwest area. The December 2009 report indicated that there is a higher than normal incidence of corn affected by mycotoxins across Iowa and in samples submitted from six states including Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin.
KnowMycotoxins - A website dedicated to helping you better understand the growing mycotoxin problem in the feed industry.
Risk factors affecting mycotoxin occurence in poultry production (Alltech and KnowMycotoxins.com)
Managing the risk of mycotoxins in poultry production (Zootecnica)
How delayed harvest might affect ear rots and mycotoxin contamination (Iowa State University)
PASTURES
How to raise heritage turkeys on pasture - Feeds and feeding of free-range turkeys (American Livestock Breeds Conservancy)
FEEDING - GENERAL DISCUSSION
Nutrition for the backyard flock (West Viriginia University)
Nutrition information for the small flock (Kansas State University)
Nutrition and feeding of show poultry (Texas A&M)
FEEDING CHICKENS
Feeding chickens (ATTRA)
Principles of feeding small flocks of chickens at home (Utah State University)
Feeding chickens (University of California)
Poultry nutrition information for the small flock (Kansas State University)
Nutrition for the backyard flock (West Virginia University)
Feeding whole grains to chickens (Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association)
Nutrition and feeding of show poultry (Texas A&M))
FEEDING CHICKENS - Layers
How to feed your laying and breeding hens (Pacific Northwest Extension)
Feeding the backyard laying flock (West Virginia University)
Whole wheat for laying hens (Atlantic Poultry Research Institute)
Feeding the commercial egg-type replacement pullet (University of Florida)
FEEDING CHICKENS - Broilers
Nutrition and management of the broiler for superior carcass quality (Poultry Industry Council, Canada)
FEEDING TURKEYS
Plant-based diets for heavy hen turkeys (Canadian Poultry Magazine)
FEEDING WATERFOWL
Nutritional management of geese (AgNotes, Northern Territory of Australia)
Duck nutrition (Cornell University)
Feeding ducks (North Carolina State University)
FEEDING RATITES
Ratite nutrition and feeding (Virginia Tech)
FEEDING GAMEBIRDS
Nutrition guide for bobwhite quail production (University of Georgia)
Feeding exotic and other game birds (American Peafowl Association)
Captive bird diets versus wild bird diets (American Peafowl Association)
FEEDING ORGANIC POULTRY
National Organic Program - Current version of the National Organic Standards (United States)
OMRI Listed products for Organic Livestock Production
National Organic Program - List of organic feed grain producers and handlers, by state
National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service - List of organic livestock feed suppliers
DISCLAIMER: References to commercial products or services provided via this Web site are intended for informational and educational purposes only, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Kentucky Extension, or the University of Kentucky as a whole.
