What vitamins are needed for chickens and dosage, names of drugs and healthy products

A properly formulated diet is the key to the health of laying hens and their good egg production. Many breeders make the mistake of using only feed, but it cannot provide the birds with all the necessary vitamins for chickens. The problem is especially acute in winter. Therefore, you need to know which products contain certain substances. Otherwise, the hens begin to get sick and produce few eggs.

Why do laying hens need vitamins?

First of all, such feeding is necessary for the health of the birds. Vitamins help protect against the following diseases that are common in chickens:

• viral diseases;
• feather loss;
• cannibalism.

Vitamins are also important for egg production. As a rule, in the summer, chickens do not suffer from their deficiency, because they themselves obtain useful substances from pasture. But in winter, supplements are required.

Important vitamins and minerals for poultry farming

The lack of certain substances greatly affects the health of chickens and the quality of eggs. To avoid possible problems, first of all, you need to provide laying hens with the following vitamins:

1. Vitamin A – necessary from the moment of hatching to maintain metabolism. With its deficiency, the eggs become smaller and the yolk turns pale.
2. Vitamin D is responsible for the formation of a strong shell. Otherwise, it may be completely absent. In summer, birds receive it thanks to the sun's rays, in winter, a deficiency leads to rickets, and bone tissue is deformed.
3. Vitamin E – important for egg fertilization.
4. B vitamins support the endocrine and digestive systems and are essential for mucous membranes. Without them, anemia may develop.
5. Vitamin K is needed for good blood clotting.
6. Lack of folic acid also leads to anemia, problems with growth, plumage and egg production.

Also don't forget about minerals:

• calcium;
• magnesium;
• phosphorus;
• iodine;
• iron;
• manganese;
• zinc.

Most of these substances are responsible for the formation of the skeletal system of the laying hen and the shells of the eggs that she lays.Due to a lack of iodine, the goiter increases, the bird breathes heavily, and lays eggs worse.

What fortified food is given to laying hens for egg production?

Chickens can get most of the necessary substances from natural products. The main thing is to provide the birds with such food in a timely manner.

Cereals

Among all products, it is cereals that form the basis of the chickens’ diet. They provide the necessary energy and prevent many diseases. Among cereal crops, preference is given to the following:

• wheat (should account for 75-80% of the grain mass) – contains vitamins E, B and proteins;
• barley – must be sprouted in winter;
• oats - contains fiber and fat; give steamed and sprouted;
• rye is rich in proteins, but it is given little by little;
• corn - pre-crushed, also fed in small quantities.

Root vegetables and vegetables

It is recommended to feed the following vegetables raw:

• beets (sugar or fodder);
• carrot;
• cabbage.

They are first grated or finely chopped. You can also give potatoes, but only boiled ones.

Legume grain

All legumes are first soaked in water for about half an hour or more, then boiled in water. Otherwise, toxins remain in them, and the grains themselves are too hard when raw. Chickens are fed beans, black and white beans, soybeans, lentils, and peas.

Mealy feed

Chickens digest grain better in the form of flour, while they also receive all the necessary fiber. To make such food, wheat, barley, rye, corn, amaranth, and soy are used. The resulting mixture after grinding is added to any food.

Protein food and worms

This food contains many amino acids that laying hens need for energy and development.Protein is found in many foods of plant and animal origin. Chickens can even be given cottage cheese, meat, meat and bone meal. Fish will also be useful, but in small quantities, otherwise the eggs will acquire a characteristic smell.

Worms would be a good addition. Their use will improve egg production. You can breed worms directly on farms using any organic material.

Nutritional supplements

To improve the health of laying hens, improve immunity and egg production, the following nutritional supplements are used:

• flour from pine branches;
• probiotics;
• dry seaweed;
• fish fat;
• water with unfiltered apple cider vinegar.

Greenery

If possible, let your chickens graze freely so that they can find the food they need on their own. Otherwise, use finely chopped greens. Even ordinary grass will do; you can collect dandelions and tops left after vegetables.

Other products

First of all, chickens need to be provided with fresh water. Stay hydrated. Rusks increase egg production. They can be crushed or soaked in water. However, fresh bread, especially yeast bread, will lead to fermentation in the stomach. Poultry farmers also advise putting cut melons, such as pumpkin, in the chicken coop or chicken run area. They eat birds and radishes.

What to add in winter?

In winter, laying hens cannot obtain all the necessary substances from pasture on their own. Lack of light also affects it, so feeding is especially important. To avoid vitamin deficiency, you need to stock up on greens in the summer or autumn. It is dried, finely crushed and added to feed.

Vegetables suitable for long-term storage are also used. Each fruit must be carefully examined. They must be strong, without rot.

Foods that should not be given to birds

To keep birds healthy and increase egg production, you need to carefully select products. Some of them may be harmful to chickens:

• salt in large quantities;
• unripe nightshade vegetables and their leaves;
• onions can lead to anemia and even death;
• dried and uncooked legumes;
• dry rice is bad for the intestines;
• raw eggs cause cannibalism;
• apple seeds.

Some chicken breeds cannot eat citrus fruits. Therefore, when choosing a diet, take into account the name of the variety of laying hens.

In what cases is vitamin supplementation needed?

In the summer, if fresh greens and sun are available, chickens usually do not need additional vitamins. This need arises in the following cases:

• under stress, for example during transportation;
• in winter, so that chickens do not freeze and do not suffer from vitamin deficiency;
• if there are sick birds, vitamins will be a good preventative measure.

To avoid health problems, birds are often given different medications. For example, multivitamin Undevit supports metabolism well. A well-chosen drug will provide the body with the necessary substances.

Vitamin D dosage for broilers

Vitamin D must be in the diet. With its deficiency, growth deteriorates and various diseases occur. The first sign is enlargement of the joints.

In summer, chickens get this vitamin from the sun, but in winter it is necessary to add it to the water. You can give low-fat cottage cheese, yogurt, whey, or feed the birds boiled eggs and fish oil every day. But an excess of vitamin can harm kidney function. Therefore, the dosage is calculated taking into account the degree of deficiency.

Natural vitamins for broiler chickens

If it is not possible to use vitamin complexes, natural products will do. The most useful for broilers are fresh greens (especially green onions), pine needles, cottage cheese, carrots, feed yeast and fresh beets. And, of course, clean water is required.

If you provide chickens with the necessary substances, you can achieve high egg production. Nutrition has a profound effect on laying hens and broilers. Without the necessary substances, birds even die.