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plant paradox diet for chickens #866142

Asked April 28, 2024, 8:43 AM EDT

want to feed my 13 chickens grains compliant with the plant paradox diet, thus no corn, soy or legumes..where can I buy organic grains sorghum and millet at a reasonable price? Do you know of chicken fed that is suitable for my diet?

Jefferson County Washington

Expert Response

It looks like the "plant paradox diet" was developed by an American physician who recommends avoiding lectin-containing plant foods like soy products, grains, beans, and certain vegetables like tomatoes and eggplant. While I'm not a human nutritionist, scientists and dieticians have classified his claims as pseudoscience. 

Even if his claims were well-founded, you need to remember that humans and chickens have different dietary requirements. A major concern I would have with this type of diet for chickens is that they require a fairly high level of protein in their diets (at least 16% crude protein for laying hens, and at least 18% crude protein for growing chicks). It would be difficult to formulate a diet with sufficient protein for growth and production without soy or other legumes. 

For example, soybeans or soybean meal will have 35-45% crude protein, while millet and sorghum typically have ~12% crude protein. Sorghum or millet could be used to replace corn iin a chicken's diet, but you'd still need a good protein source.

In terms of specicic prices of ingredients, it will depend on location and availability. I would recommend checking with local feed mills to see what feeds they produce and what ingredients they are able to access.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 06, 2024, 12:12 PM EDT
Thanks very much for your thoughtful response. And trying to design chicken feed for my plant Paradox diet I'm thinking of including cooked white rice from India, sorghum and millet. Regarding your concerns for the amount of protein, we free-range them from noon until sundown 5 to 8 hours a day, where they eat bugs Etc. I would think that would provide substantial protein. What do you think?



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-------- Original message --------
From: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Date: 5/6/24 9:12 AM (GMT-08:00)
To: gene arnovitz <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: plant paradox diet for chickens (#0136063)

The Question Asker Replied May 10, 2024, 6:35 PM EDT

If you are just feeding grains, the chickens will have a definite protein deficiency. It is very unlikely they will obtain enough protein from foraging bugs in a field. 

Dr. Jacquie Jacob Replied May 14, 2024, 9:38 AM EDT

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