Feeds and Feeding - Raising Poultry - page 90

Linseed meal is a soy meal replacement. For best results, don't exceed 15 percent lin-
seed meal. At levels of more than 15 percent, eggs can start to taste “off.” Also, flaxseed
can have a laxative effect on both humans and fowl, so don't switch entirely to flaxseed
in the diet until you have tinkered and experimented a bit. It is also important to note
that flaxseed meal goes rancid quickly, so it can't be kept on the shelf for more than a
few months, especially during times of high heat and humidity.
Sample Poultry Rations
The following table contains rations I have either used with success on my farm or have
found among well-documented usage data. Ration 1, Standard Laying Ration , has
been recommended for many years by university and research facilities and includes
animal products. It supplies about a 15.2 percent protein level. Ration 2, Laying Hen
Ration , uses milk as its only animal product and has a protein rating of approximately
15.7 percent. Ration 3, Soy-Free Ration , is for those who want to omit soy from their
birds' diet. The protein rating is about 15 percent. Ration 4, The Palouse Prairie Ra-
tion , worked well and I am not sure why. I added free-choice oyster shell instead of
mixing it in with the feed. No salt was added. Alfalfa was added as free choice in the
pens, not mixed in with the feed. The protein rating is about 14.9 percent.