What nutrients do layers need?

What nutrients do layers need?

The nutrients of laying hens include energy, protein (containing amino acids), minerals (containing trace elements), vitamins and water.

All the tissues of the chicken body are transformed from various nutrients. Sufficient nutrition is the foundation of maintaining normal life activities and the prerequisite to ensure the health of the chicken and its production potential.

1.Energy

Chicken’s life activities and all physiological processes are inseparable from energy. Chicken energy mainly comes from carbohydrates and fats in the feed. Carbohydrates are the main component of plant feeds. Starch is the main source of chicken energy.

2.Protein and amino acids

Protein is the basic component of all enzymes, hormones and antibodies in the body. The main component of eggs and chicken is protein. In addition, almost every part of chicken’s crown, lobes, skin, feathers, etc. are composed of protein.

3.Minerals

Minerals are important nutrients indispensable for normal physiology and production of chickens. They are an important component of body tissues and cells. They also play an important role in metabolism. They are also components of coenzymes, hormones and certain vitamins.

4.Vitamins

Vitamins are organic compounds that are indispensable for maintaining the normal physiological functions of the body, and are essential micronutrients for life. There are 15 commonly used vitamins for chickens, which account for only a small part of the feed weight and cost, but their role in the diet is extremely significant.

5.Water

Water is the composition of all cells and tissues in the chicken body. Insufficient drinking water will cause poor digestion and absorption of feed, thick blood, rise in body temperature, and affect growth and egg production. One chicken drinks 150~250ml of water a day. When the temperature is high and egg production is high, drinking water increases.