Chicken feed and nutritional supplements for meat chickens

Keeping chickens appropriately begins with the right feed.
To stay healthy, chickens need minerals and vitamins in adequate amounts. Especially growing animals and birds and hens during the laying period need a portion of extra vitamins and the mineral requirements are also significantly increased.
With us you will find a selection of vitamins, conventional chicken feed and high-quality feed supplements for your chickens.
Our supplementary feed with minerals provides valuable nutrients and at the same time ensures meaningful activity. A varied range of feed supports the natural development of your chickens and promotes their well-being. With our high-quality chicken feed, supplemented by valuable additives, you can ensure your chickens receive a balanced diet. Plumage care is used. With our product, you not only ensure the health of your chickens, but also increase their vitality and productivity.

How is food made?

Chicken feed should have a balanced and varied composition:
Grains: Wheat, corn, barley, oats and rye, sprouted grains
Soft food: potatoes, potato peels, cooked pasta or cooked rice
Green food: grass, clover, alfalfa, nettle, herbs, lettuce leaves, meadow cuttings
Fruit & vegetables: Fallen fruits such as apples, pears or cherries, watermelons, cucumbers, sliced carrots, zucchini worms and insects.
Kitchen waste: In pieces suitable for chickens, kitchen waste such as pasta, boiled potatoes, etc. are a tasty treat for the animals.

Compound feed

Corn, wheat and barley These carbohydrate-rich feeds are suitable for all types of poultry. Corn is ideal for poultry because it is the most energy-rich grain and has a lot of highly digestible starch.

Feed mixture for laying hens

1. Example ration of laying hens. 40-41% corn. 15-16% wheat. 5-6% barley. 12-13% soy extraction meal. 12-13% sunflower meal. 3-4% brewer's yeast. 2-3% soybean oil.
8-9% feed lime.
2. Example ration of laying hens. 28-29% corn. 35 -36% wheat. 2-3% barley. 10 -11% soy extraction meal (HP) 8-9% sunflower meal. 3 -4% peas. 2-3% brewer's yeast.
The right food: Poultry is fish meal, insect meal and hemoglobin powder are actually excellent protein carriers. Alternatives include skimmed milk powder, whey powder, egg powder, potato protein, corn gluten and especially brewer's yeast.

What you should consider when mixing chicken feed

Feed mix  for meat chickens

A simple compound feed consists of 50% corn or wheat, 21% soybeans, 14% bran, 8% oil press cake (e.g. peanut, palm, sunflower oil), 2% fish and bone meal, 1.5% enriched “premix” (poultry additive), 1% limestone and 0.5% salt. Feed mixes are ground into pulp for chicks or pelleted for larger birds.

Additional nutrients:

Supplementary nutrition is a set of vitamins and minerals used for the growth of meat chickens.

Our additional nutritional food mixture is put together by experts with many years of experience.
Minerals that are added to nutritional supplements.
Why do chickens need additional nutrition and what kind they are.
These primarily include proteins, carbohydrates and fat, which supply the chicken with nitrogen, hydrogen and carbon. The animals must also receive the trace elements manganese, iron, sodium, zinc, phosphorus, calcium, selenium and sulfur as well as vitamins such as A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, D, E, K.

Calcium:

Calcium is important for growth of bones, but your body also needs it for the formation of egg shells. If there is a calcium deficiency in chickens, the valuable mineral can even be mobilized from the bones. Because hens do not stop laying eggs if there is a shortage. Paralysis or sternum fractures can result. If there is not enough calcium available, further problems can arise: – Wind eggs (eggs without a lime shell, only in the egg skin) – Thin, wavy or cracked egg shells – Malformations, deformities of the eggs or wind eggs due to shells. In addition, a calcium deficiency in chicks can lead to growth problems and even rickets or paralysis. In order to correct a deficiency, a regular and needs-based supply of calcium is essential for chickens. Special meat feed offers good basic nutrition. In addition, you should offer high-quality lime in the form of additional feed mixture, making sure that your chickens always have access to lime in separate containers.

They can usually estimate their needs well and only take in as much calcium as they need. Because chickens can only store calcium to a limited extent, a regular supply of calcium is of central importance. The shape and grain size of the calcium supplied also plays a major role. Calcium alone is not enough to produce solid eggshells. Other important nutrients include other minerals such as phosphorus and magnesium, trace elements such as zinc and manganese and, among the vitamins, especially vitamin D3, which, among other things, improves the absorption of calcium. Strictly speaking, a vitamin D3 deficiency in chickens has comparable consequences to a calcium deficiency. Both calcium and phosphorus are required for bone synthesis. These elements also play an important role in the nervous system, blood clotting and muscle contraction. Stored in the bone, they not only provide physical strength, but also a reserve for times of increased need (e.g. when laying eggs) or times of nutrient deficiency.

Calcium- and Phosphor
Deficiency can lead to abnormal skeletal development or rickets in growing chicks and osteoporosis in older birds. Although rickets is often associated with a lack of calcium, the condition is most likely to occur with vitamin D deficiency. Osteoporosis results from calcium being removed from bones to meet other needs, and this results in porous and brittle bones.

Newly hatched chicks require an immediate supply of dietary calcium for bone development. Since the chicks are at this age
Osteoporotic deficiency of calcium or vitamin D exacerbates this condition.

This is what happens when there is a calcium deficiency

If the diet contains too little calcium, the hen gets the mineral it needs from the bones. As a result, the bones become soft and brittle. In young animals, the legs and breastbone are deformed.

Those chicks that grow quickly due to high protein intake but eat too little calcium are particularly affected. A pronounced calcium deficiency leads to paralysis due to a disturbed neurological transmission of stimuli, to rickets, cardiac arrhythmias and reduced or completely stopped laying performance.
The first signs of a deficiency of calcium, phosphorus or vitamin D or all of these are:
Lameness
Stiff legs
Ruffled feathers
A decline in growth
Leg bones appear rubbery
Joints become enlarged
A diet low in calcium can lead to paralysis and subsequent death
In growing pullets, calcium deficiency can lead to increased general activity and environmental stress. The pullet's calcium needs are low during the growth period, but the bird still needs a balance of phosphorus and calcium in its diet. At the beginning of the laying phase, the requirement is increased at least fourfold, mainly for the production of eggshells, since the eggshell is mainly composed of calcium carbonate. An early sign of calcium deficiency in laying hens is the production of thin and soft-shelled eggs.
Calcium is stored in the medullary cavity of the bone and is able to enable rapid calcium turnover (see diagram). While chickens in cages can suffer from calcium deficiency and brittle bones, birds on the ground tend not to suffer because they get calcium and phosphorus through . The nutritional role of phosphorus is closely related to that of calcium. The ratio of calcium to phosphorus in the diet affects the absorption of these two elements. An excess of either can disrupt this process and lead to loss of production. Low phosphorus in the diet during the laying period can lead to an increased incidence of cage fatigue, reduced bone ash, increased severity of osteoporosis and reduced bone strength. In addition to its function in bone, phosphorus also plays a key role in carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism and in regulating the body's acid-base balance. Control and prevention of calcium and Phosphorus deficiency.
When birds are encouraged to exercise more, a

s in free-range systems, bone strength is improved and the risk of osteoporosis is minimized.

In general, the calcium content of poultry feed of plant origin is low. To prevent deficiency, an adequate supply of dietary calcium is necessary, but young birds should not be fed a high potassium diet because excess calcium in the diet can bind phosphorus, making it unavailable and leading to rickets. The balance between calcium and phosphorus is crucial.
Excess calcium in the growth phase can also lead to kidney damage, visceral gout, calcium deposits in the ureter, and mortality.
When all feed is purchased for the birds, the feed mill balances calcium and phosphorus in the ration. Farmers who grind and mix their own feed should be particularly careful not to create defects. There is a difference in calcium requirements between laying hens and broilers, with laying hens having a higher one

Have a calcium requirement of around 4 g per day - this corresponds to the weight of an average eggshell. Soluble limestone grit or oyster shell grit can be used as a source of calcium for laying hens. Calcium can also be provided in the form of mixed grit. Mixed grit contains soluble grit, which consists of limestone, oyster shells and other mollusc shells, as well as insoluble grit in the form of granite and flint. Particle size influences the availability of calcium, with larger particles being retained in the upper digestive tract longer and calcium being released more slowly. Oyster shells, for example, ensure a slow release of calcium. This could be important for the continuity of shell formation.

Dolomite Limestone should not be fed to poultry as it contains at least 10% magnesium and may interfere with calcium absorption, causing deficiency rather than alleviating it.
Breeding can be an effective way to combat osteoporosis. Some genetic lines may be more prone to osteoporosis than others. A study was carried out in which the genetic heritability of bone index and bone strength in five generations of hens at the end of laying horn. Some bone strength characteristics have been shown to be moderate to strong.
Phosphorus in plant material is only partially available to the chicken and may become unavailable for periods of the bird's development. For this reason, poultry feed must be supplemented with phosphorus. Microbial phytozoa can be used in P-layer-reduced diets containing feeds high in P in the form of phytate, e.g. B. rice bran.

An interaction between particle size and phosphorus concentration occurs when chicks are fed diets low in phosphorus. For example, while food efficiency increases with fine and pelleted corn feed, calcium and phytate-phosphorus retention is greatest with coarse corn feed.

Treating calcium and phosphorus imbalances

Provided that the bone structure has not been irreversibly damaged, changing the calcium content of the diet should be effective. Expert nutritional advice should be sought regarding therapeutic calcium supplementation in malnourished birds. Damaged bone structure can be improved by encouraging exercise provided the diet has been improved.

Osteoporosis and well-being
The welfare effects resulting from osteoporosis or rickets caused by calcium, phosphorus and/or vitamin D deficiencies resulting in weakened or brittle bones result in spontaneous fractures causing pain, weakness and mortality. Selection of birds with low body weight and low feed intake but high egg production has resulted in birds with weakened bones. The amount of calcium and phosphorus deposited in the shell is high in relation to the bird's body weight.

Husbandry systems that allow birds to move freely but free from danger can be established to minimize animal welfare issues associated with osteoporosis. Allowing birds to exercise more, as in free-range systems, improves bone strength. Ensuring that chickens receive adequate calcium throughout their laying life will help ensure stronger bones and prevent fractures.
A balanced calcium-phosphorus ratio is particularly important for the chicken. Too much phosphorus inhibits calcium absorption and vice versa. Too much phosphorus promotes the breakdown of calcium from the bones, because the chicken body always tries to achieve a balance between these two substances.
Phosphorus influences fertility and fat and carbohydrate metabolism. Phosphorus supports energy metabolism in the cells and serves as an energy source. Like calcium, phosphorus also plays an important role in bone formation. The mineral is also involved in regulating the acid-base balance.
Good practice based on current knowledge

Make sure the birds are provided with soluble and insoluble grit

 Care should be taken to ensure that the calcium component of feed does not separate and fall to the bottom of feed bags and troughs.

Kalium und Natrium

Like phosphorus and calcium, potassium and sodium are partners and opponents at the same time. They play an essential role in the hydration of cells and in nerve and heart function.
However, chickens don't need much of these substances. The maximum tolerance limit is around one to two grams of sodium or salt every day. A daily intake of three to four grams or more poses serious health risks. A potassium deficiency is also rare, as the green fodder in the run contains plenty of it.

iron

Iron is usually present in sufficient quantities in green fodder and also in commercial feed. An iron deficiency is therefore often an indicator of further problems. Iron is important for blood formation.
A deficiency causes anemia, which can be fatal in extreme cases. Iron promotes oxygen transport in the blood and is an important blood building block. The chicken also loses iron in the blood due to internal bleeding, but also due to parasite infestation. Affected animals appear limp and weak. Pale wattles and combs also indicate anemia.

The mineral magnesium

It is important for the nervous system of chickens, it is involved in the transmission of nerve impulses and plays an important role in the regulation of muscle and nerve functions. A deficiency of this mineral can lead to muscle twitching and nervous behavior.
In their new home, the chickens absolutely need a high supply of calcium and magnesium throughout their lives. Shell meal or bird grit should ALWAYS be freely available and lime feed and a good mineral feed should be regularly mixed into the normal chicken feed.

What are the symptoms of magnesium deficiency in chickens?

Magnesium deficiency in poultry is manifested by poor growth, muscle tremors and reduced egg production in laying hens. Prolonged deficiency can lead to serious health problems, including convulsions and high mortality rates. In laying hens, magnesium deficiency affects eggshell quality due to impaired calcium metabolism.

The effects of magnesium deficiency

Magnesium deficiency in poultry is manifested by poor growth, muscle tremors and reduced egg production in laying hens. Prolonged deficiency can lead to serious health problems, including convulsions and high mortality rates. In layers, insufficient Mg affects the quality of eggshells due to impaired Ca metabolism.

The risks and health benefits of magnesium supplementation in poultry

1. Mg supplementation for performance enhancement can improve meat quality and oxidative stability by attenuating the production of reactive oxygen species.

2. Stress management
In heat-stressed poultry, Mg improves the activity of antioxidant enzymes, reduces oxidative damage, promotes growth and reduces heat stress in poultry.
3. Risks of overdose
Excess Mg can cause diarrhea in chickens, decreased nutrient absorption, and antagonistic effects with Ca and P, leading to bone health problems.

conclusion

Magnesium is an important but often overlooked component of poultry nutrition. Its inclusion in the diet supports optimal growth, bone development and stress resistance. However, careful consideration is required to avoid imbalances that could affect bird health and performance.
Future research should focus on refining Mg requirements for modern poultry breeds and understanding its role in stress management and nutrient interactions.

CLOR

In order for the animals to remain healthy and perform at a high level, the same requirements must be met for drinking water in terms of bacteriological and chemical quality as for drinking water for humans.
These are set out in the Drinking Water Ordinance. If the stable is self-sufficient, it is recommended that the well water be examined for bacteriological and chemical quality.
More and more farms are realizing that the bacteriological quality of the drinking water for the animals is inadequate. This becomes noticeable through reduced performance, diarrhea, reduced water intake and even higher losses.

sulfate

Our sulfate mineral complex product is a mineral feed for chickens and quails: supports feather formation, bone structure and solid eggshells thanks to the calcium it contains. In addition, digestive activity is supported and stimulated. The fine grain size makes it possible to feed this mixture to chicks and bantams.

Calcium for chickens

Our product offers a complete nutritional supply for healthy chickens. It is a high-quality mineral feed that consists of a careful selection of vitamins, trace elements and minerals.

Thanks to valuable trace elements such as iron, copper, zinc, manganese and iodine, Mineral Plus fulfills important metabolic tasks and supports the normal body functions of your chickens. In addition, essential minerals such as calcium ensure strong bones and firm eggshells.
With our vitamin complex, consisting of vitamin A for skin and energy balance, vitamin D3 for bone growth and vitamin E for fertility, we ensure that your chickens are optimally cared for.
The mineral mix offers all-round care for chickens and other poultry. The trace elements, minerals, vitamins and lysine it contains ensure optimal supply and compensate for possible nutrient deficiencies.
Our Ida product is particularly suitable in phases with increased nutrient requirements, such as during breeding and rearing. It positively supports the growth, muscle building, fertility and bone development of your chickens.
With our species-appropriate feed and valuable feed supplements, you can ensure that your chickens and chicks are well looked after and receive everything they need to stay healthy and grow quickly for a long time.

What is chondroitin sulfate and why in additional components 

Chondroitin sulfate is an important compound that plays an essential role in supporting joint health and mobility. It is extracted from the cartilage of beef and chicken sources and is widely known for its beneficial properties, particularly in the treatment of osteoarthritis and other joint-related diseases. With age, the natural production of chondrites and glucosuria decreases, leading to discomfort and reduced mobility.
Incorporating chondroitin sulfate into your daily routine can significantly improve joint function and overall well-being.

L-Tryptophan

L-Tryptophan is an important essential amino acid that plays a crucial role in livestock nutrition. Providing L-tryptophan as a feed additive is crucial for the correct development, health and performance of animals. Here is some key information on this topic:
1. Role of L-Tryptophan in Animal Nutrition: L-Tryptophan is essential for livestock because it is a precursor to serotonin and melatonin, which affects the regulation of mood, sleep and other biological processes.
2. Healthy growth and performance: Adding L-tryptophan to food helps ensure healthy growth and development of animals, which is especially important for young animals.
3. Improve feed efficiency: L-tryptophan can improve the metabolic efficiency of animals, which can lead to better performance in animal breeding.

4. Control Mood and Aggression: Adding L-Tryptophan can help control aggressive behavior and stress in farm animals.
5. Optimization of amino acid composition in feed: The addition of L-tryptophan allows feed manufacturers to more precisely control the amino acid composition in feed, which affects the quality and nutritional value of the feed.
6. Reducing the need for other raw materials: By supplementing with L-tryptophan, feed manufacturers can reduce the need for other protein sources, which can be costly.
7. Diet supplement: If there is a lack of L-tryptophan in the animals' diet, supplementation is necessary to ensure an adequate supply of this amino acid.
The addition of highly concentrated L-Tryptophan (98.5%) to animal feed is a crucial part of the nutritional strategy that supports healthy growth, performance and overall health of animals. This helps breeders to achieve better production results and maintain the good condition of the animals in breeding.

Vitaminen:

Like all living creatures, chickens need a whole range of vitamins, for example vitamins E, A, C and D. A good supply of vitamins promotes growth and increases resistance to infectious diseases. Vitamins are also good for fertility.

Vitamin D is particularly important for the animals. Laying chickens need the vitamin to produce their eggs because it contributes to the formation of a firm shell. Vitamin D is also known as the sunshine vitamin. It occurs under the influence of the sun, which is why a deficiency only occurs with inadequate nutrition, in winter or when kept in stables. Vitamin B1 or thiamine is also important. 

Vitamin A:
Vitamin A is  very important for many functions in the body such as vision and light sensitivity and color recognition and especially for nerve function. The vitamin also keeps the skin and mucous membranes of the lungs, intestines and urinary tract healthy and protects against infections.
Vitamin A is necessary for the growth (growth regulation) or the new formation and development of cells and various tissues (e.g. skin and mucous membranes).
As a fat-soluble vitamin, absorption depends on functioning fat digestion and absorption.
How does vitamin A deficiency manifest itself?
A vitamin deficiency occurs due to inadequate intake, malabsorption of fat or liver damage. It weakens the immune system and hematopoiesis and leads to skin redness.

Vitamin B:

Vitamin B includes a group of eight B vitamins. These are important, among other things, for metabolism, blood formation and nerves. The body does not produce the B vitamins itself, but must absorb them through food. A balanced diet is usually enough to prevent a deficiency.
Vitamin B group are: B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, B11, B12
B vitamins are involved in many functions, such as energy production and the proper functioning of the nervous system. Most B vitamins are not stored in sufficient quantities by the body. For this reason, body needs additional nutritional substance.
Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and B8 are involved in energy production. Vitamins B9 and B12 are necessary for the production of red blood cells, for the synthesis of proteins, for the regeneration of cells and the maintenance of the function of the central nervous system (CNS).
A sufficient supply of B vitamins is important for optimal energy production. B complex vitamins have two main functions that are directly related to physical and mental performance. 

 Vitamin B1
Vitamin B1 or thiamine is involved in the conversion of carbohydrates into energy and is necessary for the normal functioning of the heart. It contributes to normal energy metabolism, normal psychological function and normal functioning of the nervous system.
Vitamin B2
Vitamin B2 or riboflavin helps release energy from food. It also contributes to normal iron metabolism in the body. It contributes to the maintenance of normal red blood cells. For this reason, among others, it helps reduce fatigue. It also helps maintain proper functioning of the nervous system.
Vitamin B3/PP
Vitamin B3/PP or niacin contributes, among other things, to the normal functioning of the nervous system.
Vitamin B5
Vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid is important for energy production. It helps support normal mental performance.
It contributes to the normal synthesis of steroid hormones, vitamin D and certain neurotransmitters. Niacin also helps reduce fatigue.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 or pyridoxine is involved in the metabolism of several amino acids. It contributes to the normal formation of red blood cells. In addition, it contributes to supporting normal psychological functions and normal energy metabolism.
Last but not least, it can help reduce fatigue.

Vitamin B8
Vitamin B8 or biotin contributes to normal energy metabolism and metabolism of macronutrients.
Vitamin B9
Vitamin B9 or folic acid contributes to normal blood formation. It helps reduce fatigue.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 plays an important role in supporting normal energy metabolism and normal red blood cell formation. It contributes to normal neurological and psychological functions. It also helps reduce fatigue.
What if vitamin B is missing in the body?
Severe vitamin B12 deficiency can damage nerves and cause tingling or loss of feeling in the hands and feet, muscle weakness, loss of reflexes, difficulty walking, confusion and dementia. Diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency is based on blood tests.
Vitamin B deficiency prevents the growth and weakness of muscles formation and weakness in the nervous system, the result is disorder.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is an important organic acid that plays a crucial role in both skin care and our bodies. The strong antioxidant is very soluble in water and crystallizes in the form of colorless crystals.
It plays a crucial role in human metabolism and is relevant for a variety of bodily functions. A lack of vitamin C can not only lead to diseases such as scurvy, but can also dry out the skin and make the complexion appear dull. In the long term, this slows down skin regeneration and promotes premature skin aging.

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