How to Transition Chickens to a High-Protein Diet

Making dietary changes for animals is never a simple task, since animals often get used to the same diet and will balk at dietary changes, either by refusing food or through the occurrence of digestive problems. However, where you have sufficient time and patience, you can switch your chickens from their normal feed to a high-protein diet so seamlessly that they will never be the wiser.

Instructions

    • 1

      Understand that chickens require a mixture of feed types, including grains, protein and greens. Although you will be transitioning them to a higher-protein diet, do not make the mistake of neglecting the other two required dietary areas, lest your chickens suffer from signs of malnutrition or other illnesses.

    • 2

      Transition chickens gradually from their normal feeding routine to a higher-protein routine. This can be accomplished by steadily increasing the proportion of protein-rich items in their feed while steadily decreasing the proportion of the other two categories (grains and greens). Quality protein sources for chickens include fish, worms, meat and milk. Aim to make these adjustment in steady and constant increments, increasing protein content by 5 percent or so per week until you reach the desired level.

    • 3

      Aim to cater to your chicken's food preferences when first transitioning them to a higher-protein diet. In other words, incorporate more of their favored high-protein foods at first (whether that is fish, worms or anything else) to coax them into adopting their new dietary strategy with a minimum of fuss. Gradually reduce the proportion of their favorite protein source as they grow used to eating a higher-protein diet, replacing it with less expensive protein sources if necessary.