It's actually nice to see there are studies going on to replace soy in feeds. Looks like the results were good, so for those of us mixing or feeding our poultry naturally, Faba beans might be a good source of protein and amino acids, what it boils down to is whether or not your birds like Faba Beans?
Nutritional value of Faba beans for broilers
22 Feb 2010
New Zealand scientists conducted two experiments to evaluate the nutritional value of four cultivars of faba beans (Vicia faba L.) for broilers.
In experiment 1, the apparent metabolisable energy (AME) and ileal amino acid digestibility coefficients of these four cultivars were determined.
The cultivar effects were significant for AME, but ileal amino acid digestibility coefficients were not different between the four cultivars.
The AME value of South Tic cultivar was higher than those of Spec Tic and Broad cultivars, but similar to that of PGG Tic.
Similar performance
In Experiment 2, using the AME and ileal digestible amino acid values determined in Experiment 1, diets containing 200 g/kg of the four cultivars of faba beans were formulated and the effects of feeding these diets on the performance and the digestive tract development of broiler starters were investigated.
Weight gain, feed intake and feed per gain of broilers fed faba bean diets were similar to those fed the maize–soybean meal diet. The performance of birds fed diets containing different cultivars of faba beans was similar.
In general, the digestive tract development was unaffected by the inclusion of faba beans.
The exceptions were the relative empty weight and digesta weight of gizzard which were found to be higher in birds fed diets containing faba beans than those fed the maize–soy diet.
Birds fed faba bean diets had better excreta quality scores than that of the basal diet.
These results suggest that faba beans are good sources of energy and amino acids, and that faba beans can be included at 20% inclusion level as a partial replacement for soybean meal in broiler diets without any adverse effects on the performance.
3 comments:
I have no pultry, but I would think that having another alternative food source would be a very good thing...debbie
I just placed a seed order from Johnny's and included some amaranth and flax seed-hoping to grow some of our own feed for the hens. (the future hens-for the future farm, sigh, still waiting for legal junk so we can plunk our $ down)
Questions about your Fjord--how much field work do you use him for? Is he truely a 'farm horse' or more for FUN? I have been looking very seriously at a fjord for next year when the pastures are established-but can I realistically expect to work him (if I can find horse powered equipment!). Also I know they do not need rich diet-is clover a problem in the pasture (after the spring flush-I do not wish to founder the future horse!)
thanks Kris
Kris,
Funny we too are planting more amaranth, millet and flax for help in feeding our poultry less commercial grains( Naturally grown and Organic grains are impossible to find in our area). We're also growing a larger than normal plot of Painted Mountain corn( Indian corn with a 18-19% protein content)this season.
We plant extra squash, feed cornstalks, Mangle beets, apples and carrots to our horse and cows, as a treat of sorts!
Yes, we do use our Fjord gelding for farm work and are hoping to increase this amount, although as you mentioned horse drawn equipment is hard to come by in our area. Sadly most of it is rusting away in a gulley or in someones rock/ flower gardens*sigh* I found a single plow in wonderful shape at an auction last summer, I bid it to $200 but a lady outbid me to $300 and then she turned to her friend and said," That is going to look so awesome in my flowerbed." I wanted to use it not let it rust away to nothing.
Anyway, back to your question, we use him for pulling the tire drag to spread the manure after it is spread. Dh thinks he can figure out a way to hook him to our manure spreader( with shafts) but would most likely only be able to fill it half or less full, for him to be able to pull it( it's ground engaged) He I think could also pull our small disc, again it how to hook it up to him.
We have clover and alfalfa and it doesn't hurt him, but please let me share that Fjords will founder if they are left on pasture full time.They need to be dry lotted. Here is how we work it, we start him off in the spring( on newly greening pastures) for 15-20 minutes a day for a week or so, then increase the time to 30 min for a week or so and by the end of summer he's able to be on pasture for 2-3 hours(max) This breed never lifts their head, that's their problem. We feed him grass/ alfalfa(70%/30%) mix hay in winter and he keeps well on a nice flake morning and nite. If it is really cold we may give another sliver mid day to ward of cold. He only gets a nibble of grain as a treat and he enjoys apple horse treats( again as a treat) If you are using them heavily, of course you'd adjust their feed accordingly. Hope this answers your questions, if ot ask and I'll do my best to answer.
Blessings,
Kelle
Post a Comment