Is it possible to give rye to rabbits, chickens, pigs and cows?

Before the advent of hybrid varieties Rye was rarely used as a feed crop. This was due to the content of anti-nutritive compounds in it - non-starchy polysaccharides and bitter substances. Thanks to selection, since 2005 the level of harmful components in the product has been reduced, so today rye is introduced into the diet of poultry, rabbits, pigs and ruminants.

Nutritional value of rye and its feed value

Rye has average nutritional value, because the grain crop is 0.18 kg of feed units (k.u.). This is an indicator that allows you to determine the nutritional value of crops. 1 k.e. is equal to the calorie content of 1 kg of dry fodder oats or 1414 kcal.

For 1 k.e., about 5.6 kg of rye feed is required. The energy and nutritional value of 100 g of rye is as follows:

• water - 12%, while dry matter - 88%;
• 10.1 g protein, 2.3 g fat and 57.8 g carbohydrates;
• complex carbohydrates represented by fiber (3 g) and starch (54.8 g);
• calorie content - 287 kcal;
• minerals, beneficial for pets: zinc (2.04 mg), copper (460 mcg), etc.;
• amino acids - lysine, methionine, threonine, tryptophan.

Despite the presence of amino acids in the product, none of them are absorbed by the animal body. Therefore, in order to provide livestock with all the necessary nutrients, the diet is supplemented with other cereal crops. They also compensate for the lack of amino acids with special supplements containing lysine, threonine, methionine and tryptophan.

Reference. The rye should rest. Grain crops should not be given to animals immediately after harvest.

Why should rye be limited in animal diets?

Rye grains are distinguished by a high content of non-starchy polysaccharides (complex carbohydrates), among which pentosan stands out. This substance is difficult to digestTherefore, young animals are given rye along with enzymes. These are enzymes that break down complex carbohydrates into simpler compounds.

Hybrids of cereal crops developed as a result of selection are vulnerable to fungal diseases. Ergot often appears on them. Infected rye is harmful to laying hens, pregnant females and young animals. It is important to ensure that the maximum amount of cereal per 1 kg of feed mixture does not exceed 1 g.

Despite its low resistance to fungal diseases, rye contains fewer toxic compounds compared to other crops. It contains practically no zearalenone and deoxynivalenol.

If the share of grain crops in the liquid diet is more than 1/3, the animals begin to develop increased foaming. The cause of bubbles in saliva is soluble proteins. To eliminate them, oil is introduced into the diet.

Who can be fed rye and in what quantities?

Who eats rye? Grain is included in the diet:

• birds: chickens, ducks, geese;
• cattle and other cattle;
• rabbits;
• pigs.

You should not overfeed animals with cereals to avoid digestive problems.

Is it possible to feed rye to chickens?

This is an optional product in the chicken diet. It is usually used when there is no other grain or its reserves are gradually depleted.

It is strictly forbidden to give freshly harvested and sprouted grains to chickens due to the high content of soluble fiber and mucous substances. Rye is introduced into the diet of poultry no later than November, when about 3 months have passed since the harvest. It is not recommended to exceed the daily norm of cereals in feed for chickens by more than 8-10%, for laying hens - more than 15%.

Chickens under 2 months of age should not be given rye., because their digestive tract cannot cope with digesting this product. If necessary, after 8 weeks from the moment the young animals hatch, grain is introduced into the diet in small quantities. In the first year of life - no more than 5% of rye from the total diet.

Rabbits

Is it possible to feed grain, particularly rye, to rabbits? Yes, but its permissible amount in the diet of these animals is no more than 20%. From September, rabbits are offered winter rye (stems and grains), which is used as feed only at the early stage of the growing season. When a grain crop heads or goes into a tube, it loses nutritional value for rabbits.

At the same time, the product is introduced into the menu of young and mature individuals in small quantities. This caution is due to the influence of plant fiber on the digestive tract of rabbits. When rye enters the intestines, it increases the peristalsis of smooth muscles, which causes a laxative effect, increased gas formation and bloating. To avoid this, it is recommended to feed rye along with hay or fresh herbs.

Rye is introduced into the diet of rabbits at the age of 3 months.Its share in their diet is no more than 10% of the total weight of food. Rabbits are only allowed to be given regular grain. Animal stomachs cannot digest sprouted sprouts. Rye is given to rabbits along with oats, wheat and barley.

Pigs

It is recommended that pigs be given rye along with enzymes and amino acids for better absorption of nutrients. The amount of cereal crops in the diet of animals depends on their weight, age and purpose of cultivation. In the latter case, livestock is divided into sows and fattening animals.

Cows and other cattle

Rye is digested in the cow's stomach in the same way as other cereals, so it is considered safe to feed this animal. The stability of starch in the rumen of cattle is about 15%.

How much rye can be given per cow? The maximum permissible daily intake of grain crops depends on the amount of easily digestible carbohydrates in the product. For dairy cows and goats, the proportion of sugar and stomach-soluble starch is 25% of the total diet.

If you plan to fatten the animal, the share of rye in the animal’s menu is 40%. At the same time, the total amount of cereal crops is no more than 4 kg, for goats - 1 kg per day.

Negative effects of feeding rye

Rye contains a large amount of coarse plant fiber, which is difficult to digest in the gastrointestinal tract of domestic animals. Abuse of cereals provokes disruption of the digestive process.

In chickens

Freshly harvested grain contains a large number of mucous compounds. When poultry enters the gastrointestinal tract, they actively absorb excess liquid, causing the food to increase in size.

The swelling of food leads to indigestion, so rye is given to birds in limited quantities. Non-starchy polysaccharides increase the viscosity of the contents of the stomach and intestines. Because of this, chicken droppings become sticky.

Abuse of stale rye causes obesity in chickens and a decrease in egg production. The bird quickly gets used to a monotonous diet and subsequently refuses to eat other cereal crops, which increases the cost of its maintenance.

In rabbits

Rye contains a large amount of coarse plant fiber, which is not digested in the body of rabbits.

Abuse of the product leads to the development of diseases of the digestive system and metabolic disorders:

• rabbits become lethargic;
• lose appetite due to the abundance of monotonous food;
• shed more;
• due to the high calorie content of rye, they quickly gain weight;
• the process of defecation is disrupted, gas formation in the intestines increases.

Feed crops cannot be treated with pesticides. Any toxic chemicals are fatal.

In pigs

When consuming large amounts of grain, pigs begin to foam.In this case, the amount of grain in the diet of pets is reduced by 1/3 and a small amount of vegetable oil is given.

Due to the high content of plant fibers in the product, the pig begins to have digestive problems - constipation or bloating.

In cows and other cattle

When grain crops are abused, cattle stop chewing the cud. Overeating dry formula will lead to inflammation of the rumen.

Rye first enters this part of the stomach, where fiber digestion is largely carried out by beneficial bacteria. As a result of the activity of microorganisms and peristalsis of smooth muscles, gases are released. Normally, they come out with belching.

If a cow or other representative of cattle eats grain crops uncontrollably, the rye, when it gets into the rumen, clogs the passage to other parts of the stomach. Food blockage causes gases to accumulate inside.

In this situation, stomach problems begin:

• processes of rotting and fermentation develop;
• the growth of pathogenic microflora increases;
• fiber is less digestible;
• due to rotting food and the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms, toxic compounds are released in the rumen and absorbed into the blood;
• intoxication begins.

Excessive consumption of grains also leads to the development of lactic acidosis. Lactic acid is a waste product of pathogenic bacteria. This substance accumulates in the blood, worsening the general condition of the animal. The pathological process destroys liver cells.

Reference. In most cases, poor-quality grain causes harm to the health of cattle. Spoiled rye with mold and rot destroys beneficial microflora and disrupts the digestion process.

Is there an alternative to rye?

Rye is replaced by other cereal crops. Wheat, triticale and barley are considered the closest to it in terms of nutritional value and feed value. They are given to chickens, rabbits, pigs and cattle.

Read also:

Is gluten really that bad and is it found in rye?

How to make moonshine from rye at home.

What is made from rye and how is this cereal useful?

Conclusion

Rye is allowed to be given to pets in small quantities. Limitations of the product in the diet of chickens, rabbits, pigs or cows are due to the high content of plant fiber in the composition of the grains. Dietary fiber is difficult to digest. For better digestion of rye, enzymes and amino acids are given in parallel with the grains.