6 other easy options
High-protein treats that your hens will love.
1 Meat & bone meal
Protein: 47%
Lysine: 2.6%
Methionine: 0.7%
This contains cooked bones, meat trimmings, and organs. Blood and bone meal has blood added, is also cooked, and has higher lysine levels (7%) but slightly lower methionine levels (0.6%).
2 Quinoa
Protein: 12-20%
Fat: 6%
Lysine: 5-6%
Methionine: 0.1-1%
Only a supplement to a balanced diet as it’s usually too low in methionine, and hard for hens to digest, but hens do love to eat it over many other options.
3 Sunflower meal
Protein: 32%
Fat: 1%
Lysine: 1.14%
Methionine: 0.6% Only a supplement as it’s too low in lysine, and also hard for hens to digest.
4 Earthworms
Protein: 60-70%
Fat: 6-11%
Lysine: 6.8%
Methionine: 2.0% Research has found that two worms common in NZ are excellent sources of protein, methionine, and lysine.
Most earthworm species have very similar nutritional values, including the ‘tiger’ or red earthworm (Eisenia foetida, the one you find in vermicomposting systems), and the most widespread earthworm found in NZ soil, Lumbricus rubellus.
5 Garden snails & slugs
Protein: 15%+
Fat: 2.4%
Lysine: 4.35%
Methionine: 1%
Lean a length of wood against a garden bed. Snails will swarm to it to rest under it after feeding. Remove the board and place the snails in a pot. Boil for 15-20 minutes. Snails have good levels of available protein, methionine and lysine when cooked and can be fed at a rate of 15% of a bird’s daily diet (about 18-20g per adult 2kg bird).
6 Sprouting grains
Research has found that sprouting grains increases the nutrient availability, digestibility, and growth of poultry. The chemical nature of sprouting appears to activate natural enzymes in grain which are higher in energy and easier on the chicken gut.
Warning: sprouting grains can go mouldy and/or become contaminated with harmful bacteria. Mist them frequently (at least once a day) with diluted cider vinegar (65ml to 1 litre of water or 1¼ teaspoons to 100ml).