Green Eggs and Happy Hens: Boost Your Flock's Health with Microgreens!
- Erik Est
- Apr 12, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 30, 2023
If you raise chickens in your backyard, then you are aware of how crucial it is to feed them nutritious food. But did you know that nutrient-dense microgreens can be used to enhance their diet? These tiny plants are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can have a variety of positive effects on the health of your chickens.
How do microgreens work?
Microgreens are young plants that are only a few inches tall when they are harvested. They can be harvested in as little as two weeks and are frequently grown in trays or pots. Arugula, radish, broccoli, sunflower, and other plants are among the many flavors and hues of microgreens. They are frequently used as a garnish in upscale restaurants, but their nutritional advantages are also helping them gain popularity with people who are health-conscious.
Microgreens for chickens
Benefits:
For chickens, microgreens are an excellent source of nutrition. They are rich in calcium, iron, potassium, and the vitamins A, C, E, and K. These vitamins and minerals can strengthen your chickens' bones, encourage healthy egg production, and strengthen their immune systems.
Furthermore, microgreens are a great source of antioxidants, which can help shield your chickens from illness and disease. In the body, free radicals can harm cells and cause chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease. Antioxidants are substances that counteract these free radicals.
Microgreens can help chickens produce eggs of higher quality. According to one study, chickens fed a diet with 10% microgreens produced eggs with increased quantities of carotenoids, the antioxidants responsible for the eggs' bright yellow hue. According to a different study, giving hens a diet rich in microgreens enhanced the flavor and texture of their eggs.
Utilizing microgreens as feed is economical
Using microgreens as chicken feed can be a cost-effective way to improve your chickens' health. While microgreens can be more expensive than traditional chicken feed, they are also more nutrient-dense. This means that your chickens will need to eat less of them to get the same amount of nutrients as they would from traditional feed.
Additionally, you can cultivate your own microgreens, which will ultimately cost less money. Even if you don't have a lot of space, microgreens are simple to grow. On your patio, balcony, or even inside on a sunny ledge, you can grow them in containers or trays.
It's crucial to keep in mind that microgreens shouldn't constitute the majority of your chickens' diet when feeding them. Still, your hens require a healthy diet that consists of a variety of grains, proteins, and veggies. Nevertheless, including microgreens in their diets can provide them a nutritional boost and enhance their general health and wellbeing.
Conclusion:
Adding microgreens to your chickens' diet is a terrific idea. They are teeming with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can encourage healthy egg production, strengthen your chickens' bones, and enhance their immune systems. A cheap approach to enhance the health of your chickens is by feeding them microgreens, especially if you grow them yourself. Why not attempt it and observe how your flock reacts?
References:
S. M. R. Dilshad, M. Tariq, and others (2017). Review of the use of microgreens as a possible dietary supplement for chickens. Journal of World Poultry Science, 73(02), 347–356.
K. El-Sabrout, M. Afifi, and others (2020). Effect of feeding laying hens various amounts of broccoli microgreens on productivity, egg quality, and antioxidant status. 8303-8310 in Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 27(8).
T. F. Uliasz and R. Wrolstad.
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