THE REALITIES ABOUT POULTRY The Modern Farm - The Realities About Poultry_Seco | Page 81

Protein or amino acid digestibility can vary depending on the specific ingredient. In general, animal
byproduct proteins are easier to digest than plant proteins. For example, poultry digestibility of
cottonseed meal can be as low as 60% for certain amino acids or as high as 90% for other
ingredients such as dehulled soybean meal and meat products like poultry byproduct meal. The
protein content of an ingredient or complete diet is usually described as “Crude Protein”. Crude
protein is based on the nitrogen content of the feedstuffs; proteins contain an average of 16%
nitrogen. Crude protein thus can contain not only “pure protein” but other non-protein substances
such as nucleic acids (from DNA) or urea which is a nitrogenous waste product excreted by the
kidneys.
Vitamins
Scavenging birds get vitamins by eating green grass, vegetables, fresh cow dung, and through
sunlight. Vitamins A, B 2 , and D 3 are considered very important because many problems arise when
birds lack these vitamins. Sunlight and green grass or green fodder normally provide Vitamin A and
D, whereas Vitamin B may come from fresh cow dung. Vitamin B may also be added by giving e.g.
Riboflavin tablets. Additional vitamins should only be given in very small quantities and purchased
through drug stores or feed sellers, but this is normally not needed for scavenging poultry. Confined
birds always need additional vitamins mixed into their feeds or as a minimum given some green
grass, vegetables and some fresh cow dung.
Minerals
Minerals are important for bone formation, eggshell formation, and for a good health status. The
most important minerals are calcium and phosphorous. To produce strong shells for their eggs,
laying hens need free access to calcium (limestone or crushed shells). Adult birds are usually able to
balance their intake according to needs. If a Phosphorous rich feed is added, it should be balanced
with calcium, since too high levels of one may cause deficiency of the other. Examples of sources
for minerals are: bone meal, crushed oyster shells, snail shells, and burned eggshells. Using bone
meal or eggshells is a good way to supply calcium and phosphorus. Egg shells should always be
scorched or cooked before re-use in
diets to remove any disease germs.
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