Balancing Protein in a Flock’s Diet

Protein is needed for a chicken to survive. It is required for nearly all the body functions to work properly. Balancing protein in a flock’s diet is important because many factors play a role in the protein needs of individual chickens. The standard protein content in commercial chicken feeds may be adequate for some chickens, but many times a flock’s protein needs fluctuate, which is when homestead chicken keepers need to be aware of the protein needs within their flock. These tips for balancing protein in your flock’s diet should help you keep a happy and healthy flock!

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Disclaimer: I am not an avian veterinarian or poultry nutritionist. All the information in this post is from my personal experience and research.

Why is Protein Important?

The nutrition requirements of chickens are complex and a well balanced diet is essential for a healthy flock. Of all the nutrients required by chickens, protein is the most important one to monitor and keep in balance. Here are just a few reasons why protein is so important in a chicken’s diet:

• Protein is made of amino acids, which is the single reason why protein is needed in a chicken’s diet.
• Amino acids are essential for the body to maintain healthy muscles, bones, skin, and feathers.
• Protein also aids in making and maintaining blood cells and important enzymes.
• Protein is needed for making and controlling hormones, such as the hormones that trigger egg laying or broodiness.
• A deficiency in any one amino acid can slow growth and inhibit reproduction.
• Protein helps a chicken’s body create antibodies to fight off diseases.
• When a chicken is sick or stressed, its body uses up protein.
• Protein is needed any time a muscle or bone needs to heal or feathers need to regrow.

Types of Proteins

In order to properly balance the protein in your flock’s diet you must be aware of the different types of protein. It is not necessarily protein that a chicken needs, but more or less the amino acids that proteins are made of. A food source can be high in protein, but lacking in the proper amino acids.

There are 22 amino acids, 11 of which are essential amino acids, meaning a chicken’s body can only obtain those amino acids from the foods that the chicken eats. The other 13 amino acids can be synthesized within the chicken’s body by using essential amino acids or they can be provided through the chicken’s diet.

Complete and Incomplete Proteins:

Protein sources are often rated by how many of the 9 (or 11 in a chicken’s case) essential amino acids they contain. Complete protein sources contain all 11 essential amino acids in sufficient amounts. Incomplete proteins are lacking in an essential amino acid, but they can still supply a good source of a specific amino acid.

Plant-Based and Animal-Based Protein:

That brings us to plant based protein, which is derived from plants, and animal-based proteins which are derived from animal sources. Protein derived from animal sources are complete proteins and have all 11 essential amino acids. Almost all plant based proteins are incomplete proteins except for quinoa, which is a complete protein.

So, when balancing the protein in your flock’s diet, also consider the types of protein you are using to achieve that balance. A flock may get the proper percentage of protein but be lacking in an essential amino acid because the protein percentage was achieved by supplementing with an incomplete protein.

For a list of different complete and incomplete protein sources, check out this post on Protein Sources for Chickens!

Before you start incorporating feed supplements, learn how to properly use Homemade Chicken Feed Supplements.

Protein Needs: Growing Chicks

The most basic protein requirement to balance is probably the different protein percentages needed in a chicken’s diet at various stages of growth. In general, chickens go through three stages of growth: chicks, pullets & cockerels, and hens & cocks. Here is a breakdown of the protein needed at those three stages of growth as determined by poultry nutritionists:

• Chicks (0-6 weeks): 18-20%
• Pullets & Cockerels (6-20 weeks): 14-16%
• Hens & Cocks (20+ weeks): 15-17%

Keep in mind that there will be some overlap in protein percentages as you gradually increase or decrease the protein content in the feed. Chickens can not be switched directly from one amount of protein to another amount of protein. Drastic changes in protein consumption will cause diarrhea.

Amino acids are needed to build muscle and bones in growing chicks. When chicks are growing is when they need the most protein because protein is what provides amino acids.

Research indicates that, when given the choice, young chickens will eat less protein starting off but then increase their protein consumption as they grow. This seems to contradict the percentages I mentioned above. However, the higher protein in the beginning does make sense when you are viewing the percentages from a marketing stand point.

The faster you can get your chicks to grow, the sooner they will be able to reproduce. Higher protein means faster growth. Chicks will also eat less if they can get the amount of protein they need within a small amount feed.

Protein Needs: Breed Purpose

The second easiest protein requirement to balance is the protein needed by chickens who are raised for certain purposes. The most common purposes that chickens are raised for include meat, eggs, and breeding. Here are the commonly accepted protein percentages for each purpose:

• Broiler (0-3 weeks): 20-24%
• Broiler (3+ weeks): 16-20%
• Layer (20+ weeks): 15-17%
• Cock (non-breeding): 10-12%
• Breeding birds: 18-20% 

Laying Breeds: Laying chickens need protein to meet the requirements for the different body functions as well as to put into their eggs. The protein percentages discussed for growing chicks are the protein needs for raising laying hens.

Meat Breeds: Meat chickens, also known as broilers, need lots of protein to build muscle. When they are young, they need even more protein to aid in bone growth and muscle development. A broiler chicken should not be raised on a traditional laying hen feed.

Breeding Chickens: A chicken used for breeding requires an increase in protein because its body needs more protein to meet the demands required by proper reproduction. Hens need it to create eggs that will hatch out healthy, properly developed chicks. Cocks need protein to make fertile semen. 

Protein Needs: Chicken Breed Types

A commonly overlooked protein need to balance is the different protein needs of rare and heritage breed chickens. The protein percentages mentioned above have been formulated for the commercial industry for raising laying hens or broilers. Those percentages do not take into consideration the protein needed by breeds who are raised for both meat and eggs.

Dual-Purpose Breeds: Breeds that are used to provide both eggs and meat tend to need more protein than breeds who have been developed specifically for meat or eggs. This is because it requires more protein to produce eggs and to put on muscle at the same time. 

Heritage Breeds: Heritage breeds are typically dual-purpose breeds. You will find that larger breeds from the American, English, and Asiatic classes will need more protein than say the smaller breeds from the Mediterranean or Continental classes.

Rare Breeds: I have also found that rare chicken breeds, like the Svart Honas, need more protein. Rare breeds may need more protein because their body uses more protein for body functions but still needs some protein to put into growth and reproduction. 

For breeds that need supplemental protein in addition to the protein they are getting from their feed, start providing healthy supplemental protein treats in their diet on a regular basis.

Protein Needs: Seasons

The protein a chicken needs will be affected by the different seasons as well. Supplemental protein treats should be offered during seasons when protein needs increase.

Fall & Molting: More protein is needed any time a chicken molts or is re-growing feathers. Molting usually occurs in the fall, but some chickens may have a spring molt as well. Remember, amino acids help generate feather growth. So, during a molt, a chicken needs protein to regulate hormones, build antibodies, manage stress, maintain healthy blood, and regrow feathers. That means they need more protein in their diet. 

For more tips for the molting season, check out Molting 101 and Natural Supplements for Molting!

Winter: An increase in protein may also be needed during cold, winter months. Cold stress increases the need for protein. Plus, protein generates heat when it is digested thus creating some body heat to help the chickens stay warm. 

Spring: Spring is another time when more protein may be needed. The increase in laying and the instinct to reproduce requires more protein. While protein needs may still be high, they will not be as high as during the fall and winter.

Summer: Basically, summer is when chickens need the least amount of protein. I have found that even my rare and heritage breeds need less supplemental protein during the summer. However, I also let my chickens free-range a lot during the summer months. When they free-range, they eat additional protein sources like bugs, grubs, and beetles. During the summer, you should provide your flock with the standard amount of protein needed for good health.

Check out A Summer Diet for Chickens to learn what I feed my flock during the summer!

Other Protein Considerations

Protein needs are also affected by other environmental and individual factors. This includes an individual chicken’s metabolic rate, the digestibility of the protein, a chicken’s age, and the overall health of the chicken.

Metabolism: Not all chickens metabolize their food the same way. Protein utilization may be affected by an individual chicken’s metabolic rate. If a chicken’s metabolism is fast, the protein may not be absorbed completely before the food is moved on through the digestive tract. Older hens tend to have a slower metabolism and may benefit from supplemental protein.

Digestibility: The digestibility of the protein source will affect how much of it is absorbed and can be used by the body. Highly processed protein sources or sources that have been heat-treated are not as easily digested. Protein from tough animal sources, like hide, feathers, and scales are not easily digested either. 

Age: A chicken’s age may also play a part in how its body utilizes the protein it is given. Young chickens and older hens may not be able to utilize the protein as quickly as a chicken who is in its prime.

Health: The health of the chicken affects how protein is absorbed and used. Healthy chickens can function perfectly fine on the average amount of protein provided by a balanced diet. Unhealthy chickens will need more protein because their body requires higher protein levels and because the protein that they do get will not be digested as efficiently as a healthy bird. 

Balancing Protein for a Healthy Flock!

• Keep in mind the basic protein needs, such as those needed by growing chickens and laying chickens.
• Also consider if particular chicken breeds in your flock may need more protein because of the breed or purpose.
• Finally, take into consideration the different environmental factors that may be playing a part in your flock’s protein needs, such as molting and cold stress.
• Never increase the protein to over 20-24%.

As you can see, balancing protein in a flock’s diet can be tricky and requires a basic knowledge of poultry nutrition! With that being said, there are plenty of healthy supplemental protein sources you can add to your flock’s diet during the appropriate times to help them meet fluctuating protein needs. By using healthy supplemental protein treats, you can provide your flock with extra protein and a fun snack on a regular basis or an as-needed basis.

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by Alexa