Cabbage is a herbaceous plant, living for two years. Leaves are simple, alternate, later arranged upside down and rolled into flat spherical corns at the top of the stem. Flowers yellow, growing in clusters. The fruit is cylindrical, with a short beak; Seeds globose, brown.
As a cold vegetable, cabbage has strong cold tolerance; If the temperature drops as low as 1° – 2°C, or 0°C, the cabbage will still grow normally. But when the seeds germinate, it is necessary to ensure the temperature, from 9° to 12°C. The most suitable temperature for the growth of cabbage is 130-18°C, the plant is strong, the corn is tight and has good quality. Above 20°C, the corn is difficult to roll or not tightly rolled.
Can chickens eat raw cabbage?
The answer is yes. It’s chicken’s favorite food. This product provides a variety of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that support good health in chickens, especially during the laying period.
Some nutritious ingredients in raw cabbage
Raw cabbage contains some ingredients which are useful for chickens, including: Carbohydrate, Protein, fat, fiber, some vitamins: A, B3, C, K, and some minerals: Natri, Kali, Canxi, Iron, Magie, Photpho, Zinc and axit folic.
What are the uses of raw cabbage to chickens?
Raw cabbage has many uses which are extremely for the digestive and intestinal tract of chickens. It is not only a rich source of vitamins such but also minerals and some other compounds like axit lactic, axit axetic which help to absorb better useful organic nutrients. Besides, axit tartronic in raw cabbage also helps to reduce the accumulation of fat.
Anti-inflammatory
Cabbage and other cruciferous vegetables have anti-inflammatory properties. These vegetables are all rich in sulforaphane and glutamine, powerful anti-inflammatory agents. Regular consumption of cabbage will help protect chickens from related health problems such as enteritis affecting chicken performance.
Good for the digestion system
Can you be surprised that 1 gram fiber in raw cabbage can produce 10 calories. Fiber helps fill chickens stomach, this makes chickens eat less. In which, raw cabbage also helps to reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) and control sugar level in blood. Furthermore, raw cabbage also has nutrients that keep the lining chicken’s stomach and intestines healthy, helping to prevent constipation and other digestive disorders.
Good for eyes
Cabbage is a very good eye nutrient. In addition to beta-carotene, an antioxidant found in cabbage is also helpful in preventing macular degeneration and delaying the onset of cataracts.
Improve health heart
Cabbage, especially purple cabbage, can increase levels of beta-carotene, lutein and other heart-protective antioxidants. In addition, cabbage also helps lower oxidized bad cholesterol (LDL), which is associated with hardening of the arteries. Not only that, cabbage also contains a lot of potassium and calcium, nutrients necessary for the functioning of the heart.
Good for the brain
This cruciferous vegetable is also considered a “golden” food for the brain of chickens. Vitamin K and anthocyanins found in cabbage have the effect of increasing mental strength and concentration. In addition, vitamin K also plays a very important role to protect nerve cells from damage and prevent degenerative diseases. Cabbage is also a very rich source of iodine, an essential nutrient for brain chickens.
Some other benefits of cabbage for chickens
Help strengthen bones
Cabbage contains a lot of nutrients needed to build strong bones. Calcium, magnesium, and potassium, all of which are essential for bone health. Therefore, if chickens eat this vegetable regularly, it will help chicken bones become stronger and more supple.
Boosts immunity
Due to being rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, cabbage helps increase the resistance of chickens. In addition, it also helps support the immune system against pathogens.
Improve the efficiency of the stomach
The presence of anti-inflammatory compounds like glucosinolates in this cabbage can help relieve some symptoms in the stomach of chickens, help reduce ulcers in the stomach lining and speed up the healing process in the stomach of chickens.
How to choose raw cabbage which is the best for chickens?
To choose raw cabbage which is the best for chickens. You need to notice the following information:
- The shape of cabbage: When choosing to buy, do not choose cabbage with a flat, oval shape, but choose round cabbage. The more beautiful the cabbage plant, the better the cabbage will be.
- Cabbage color: Between two cabbages with dark green leaves and light green leaves that are close to white, choosing dark green cabbage will be better for chickens. In particular, you should choose cabbage with a much better shine.
- Firmness test: To check the firmness of the cabbage, gently press the cabbage with your finger to know if it is good or bad. If when you press it, you feel the cabbage is very hard, then it is fresh and delicious cabbage. As for the soft, easy-to-press cabbage, it is the cabbage that is not fresh or has few leaves, the leaves are not tightly rolled, which will bring less nutritional value when you feed the chickens.
- Check the weight: The same size but heavier cabbage indicates that the cabbage is leafy and dense. Therefore, when holding two cabbages of the same size in your hand, you should always choose the heavier cabbage to ensure it is delicious. In addition, you should also avoid choosing to buy white cabbage rolls that are too tight. The reason is that these cabbage plants are usually from China, quite hard, not sweet, and will not guarantee to provide enough essential nutrients for chickens.
Conclusion
So, can chickens eat raw cabbage? Yes, raw cabbage is a really nutritious source. It helps chickens to avoid some diseases related to the immune system, digestion system and also supports increased production for chickens.
Moreover, you should follow some information on selection, processing, and storage to ensure the best cabbage for chickens.