Grit is a herbaceous plant and is also known by many other names such as triangle grit, trigonal grit, rye or sorghum.
Besides, grits also is a cereal with high nutritional value, higher than both rice and oats. In addition, this seed is also used by Oriental Medicine to treat vaginal discharge, leukoplakia, body weakness, excessive sweating, purpura,…
Like grits, the flour from this plant belongs to the group of easily digestible foods. This helps the digestive process in the intestinal tract of chickens take place smoothly
Can chickens eat grits?
The answer is yes. Grits seeds are used as food for humans, livestock, and poultries. With high nutritional value, this food contributes significantly to chicken growth and improves chicken productivity.
What are grits?
Grits are a product made from grit seeds. Unlike wheat, it is not white, but gray-brown, with a distinctive aroma that gives a pleasant bitter taste. Centuries ago, our ancestors actively used this product mixed with other chicken feeds to stimulate their growth. In Russia, flavored grits flour is diluted with wheat, barley, and rye.
Some researchers believe that the first people to make buckwheat flour began for the inhabitants of southern Siberia and the Altai Mountains. Today, the popularity of this product is facilitated by the ease of growing buckwheat.
What are the characteristics nutritions of grits?
Each part of the grits has its own nutritional value. Such as:
All parts of the plant contain glucosides, mainly outsides, of which the most are in leaves, accounting for 1.78% – 7.92% and in stems about 0.09%-1.4%. In addition, it also contains quercetin, hyperin, ox-tocopherol, protocatechuic acid,…
Besides, seeds of grits contain aflatoxin and phytic acid. The roots contain oxy methyl anthraquinone and Fruit pulp contains 65% starch, 10-11 % parotid, and 2% sugar.
Further reading: 21 Best Chicken Keeping eBooks
What are the nutrition ingredients of grits?
In nutrition ingredients have many substances beneficial to the health of chickens as:
Carbs
Carbs make up about 20% of the weight of grits. Carbs are in the form of starch – the main storage form of carbs in plants. Grits rank low to moderate on the glycemic index (GI), a measure of how quickly a food raises blood sugar. Therefore, they do not cause a spike in blood sugar. Thereby, helping chickens not gain excessive weight, as well as helping to increase the resistance of the chicken’s body.
Protein
Grits contain a small amount of protein (about 3.4%). Due to the well-balanced amino acid profile, the protein in grit is a very high-quality protein. They are especially rich in the amino acids lysine and arginine. This is an essential source of nutrients for the metabolic activity of chickens.
Vitamins and minerals
Grits are richer in minerals than many common grains. However, they do not contain many vitamins. Tartary grits typically contain more nutrients than regular grits.
The minerals in common grits are
Manganese: Found in large quantities in whole grains, manganese is essential for the metabolism, development, and protection of the body’s antioxidant system.
Iron: An iron deficiency leads to anemia – a condition characterized by a decreased ability of the blood to carry oxygen.
PhosphorusPlays plays an important role in the maintenance and growth of chicken’s body tissues. Compared to other grains, the minerals in cooked grit grains are well absorbed by the body. This is because they have relatively low amounts of phytic acid (a mineral absorption inhibitor found in grains and seeds).
Rutin
Another very useful ingredient for chickens in this powder is the flavonoid – rutin. This type of grits is considered useful for improving blood circulation, as well as reducing the permeability of blood vessels.
As the main antioxidant polyphenols in grit, rutin can reduce the risk of increased harmful activities in chickens.
D chiro inositol
This is a soluble carb that has the ability to lower blood sugar, which is beneficial for controlling harmful toxins in the chicken’s body.
Fiber
Grits contain an abundant amount of fiber that the chicken body cannot digest. Butyrate and other SCFAs act as nutrients for the cells in the colon wall, helping to improve gut health for chickens.
Conclusion
So, can chickens eat grits? The answer is yes. With high mineral content, as well as nutritional protein and antioxidants exist in grits. This product is trusted in many households in raising chickens.
Besides, This taupe-scented grits flour can be a good source of protein. In addition, it also contains a large amount of phosphorus, potassium, iron, zinc, calcium, reserves of copper, manganese, iodine, sulfur, fluorine and sodium. Not only that, but grits flour is also a good source of vitamin E, which is known for its powerful antioxidant properties. And vitamin B in chopped grits is known as an essential substance for movement and metabolism in chickens
However, when using grits flour as chicken feed, you should pay attention to a few side effects as well as notes to avoid your chickens being easily irritated, affecting their health and egg production process.