Discover the Benefits of Feeding Hemp Seed to Your Laying Hens & Chickens

Did you know hemp seed meal can make laying hens produce up to 40% more eggs?

This fact has made poultry farmers in the U.S. take notice¹.

The FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine has given the green light for hemp seed meal in laying hen diets².

Hemp seeds are full of nutrients that boost your chickens’ health and productivity.

They have about 25% protein, beating many commercial feeds that have only 15-20% protein.

This food source not only makes eggs better but also gives chickens important fatty acids and vitamins for their health.

The Hemp Feed Coalition has worked hard for over three years to get hemp seed meal approved for poultry and farm animals.

Their hard work has paid off.

Now, hemp-fed hens lay eggs full of essential fatty acids and lutein, a natural antioxidant that’s good for both chickens and people².

Key Takeaways

• • Hemp seed meal is FDA-approved for laying hen diets

• • Hemp seeds contain 25% protein, surpassing many commercial feeds

• • Eggs from hemp-fed hens are enriched with essential fatty acids and antioxidants

• • Hemp seed can potentially increase egg production by up to 40%

• • The Hemp Feed Coalition has been instrumental in clearing hemp seed for animal feed

• • Hemp products are suitable for various livestock, including poultry and cattle

What are the nutritional benefits of feeding hemp seed to chickens?

Hemp seeds are a powerhouse for your chickens.

They are packed with nutrients that make them a great addition to your flock’s diet.

Let’s look at the key nutrients hemp seeds offer and how they boost your chickens’ health and egg production.

Fatty Acids for Improved Egg Quality

Hemp seeds have a special fatty acid mix that can make eggs better.

They have a 3:1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids³.

This balance is perfect for making eggs with stronger shells and better taste³.

Essential Amino Acids for Optimal Health

Chickens need a complete protein source, and hemp seeds are it.

They have all 20 essential amino acids your birds need for health, like lysine, methionine, and arginine³.

The protein in hemp seeds is easy for chickens to digest, with a score of 49-53%⁴.

Vitamins and Minerals for Overall Well-being

Hemp seeds are full of vitamins and minerals that keep your chickens healthy.

They have zinc for reproductive health and vitamin E to reduce stress and boost the immune system.

These nutrients help your flock stay healthy.

Nutrient	Benefit for Chickens
Omega-3 Fatty Acids	Stronger eggshells, improved egg taste and texture
Essential Amino Acids	Complete protein for growth and maintenance
Zinc	Enhanced reproductive health
Vitamin E	Stress reduction and improved immune function

Studies show that adding hemp seed meal to laying hens’ diets up to 20% is safe⁵.

This addition improves egg quality, adding important fatty acids for human health⁵.

By feeding hemp seed to your laying hens, you boost their health and the eggs’ nutritional value.

How does hemp seed affect egg production in laying hens?

Hemp seed is showing great promise for egg production in laying hens.

Farmers are seeing the benefits of adding this supplement to their flocks.

Let’s look into how hemp seed affects egg quality and quantity.

Can hemp seed increase egg weight and size? Hemp seeds are packed with 25% protein and 33-35% fat. These nutrients are key for egg growth⁶.

Adding 8% hemp seed to a diet improved egg yolks without hurting egg production or taste⁶.

Even 30% hemp seed had no bad effects on egg size or health⁶.

Does feeding hemp seed impact the frequency of egg laying?

Hemp seed might make hens lay more eggs and perform better.

Its high protein and healthy fats help hens stay healthy, which could mean more eggs⁷.

Farmers say adding hemp seed or hemp seed cake to hens’ food helps with laying⁷.

This shows hemp seed can be a good addition to their diet, possibly increasing how often they lay eggs.

Hemp Seed Benefits	Impact on Egg Production
High protein content (25%)	Supports egg size and weight
Rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids	Improves egg yolk composition
Balanced nutrient profile	Enhances overall laying performance

Adding hemp seed to your hens’ diet might improve egg weight, size, and how often they lay.

Start with small amounts and watch how your flock reacts for the best results.

What changes can I expect in egg yolk composition when feeding hemp seed?

Feeding hemp seed to laying hens changes the egg yolk’s composition.

This makes the eggs more nutritious for people. Let’s look at the main changes you’ll see in egg yolks with hemp seed in the diet.

Hemp seed’s impact on omega-3 content in egg yolks

Hemp seed is full of omega-3 fatty acids. This can make egg yolks have more omega-3.

A study showed that using hemp seed meal in chicken feed increased omega-3 in eggs⁸.

This is great for people wanting more omega-3 in their diet.

Enhancing nutritional value for human consumption

Hemp seed makes eggs more nutritious. Eggs from hens eating hemp seed have more healthy fats⁸.

These eggs can help make a diet healthier because omega-3s are good for you.

Nutrient	Control Eggs	Hemp Seed-Enriched Eggs
Omega-3 Fatty Acids	Lower	Higher
Omega-6 to Omega-3 Ratio	Higher	Lower
Linoleic Acid	Lower	Higher
Linolenic Acids	Lower	Higher
Docosahexaenoic Acids	Lower	Higher

Feeding hemp seed to your hens makes their eggs better for you.

These eggs are a natural way to get more essential fatty acids.

This can help with your health and well-being.

Are there any risks associated with feeding hemp seed to chickens?

Many poultry farmers are curious about feeding hemp seed to their birds.

They want to know if it’s safe and if there are any risks.

Let’s look into the safety and potential risks of hemp seeds for chickens.

Safety of industrial hemp for poultry

Industrial hemp is usually safe for chickens.

The THC in hemp seeds is very low, so it won’t harm them.

Research shows hemp seeds could be a great food source for laying hens⁹.

But, there are some worries about hemp affecting eggs and chicken tissue.

Studies found that delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol can be in eggs if chickens eat hemp¹⁰.

This has led to talks about rules and more studies on hemp seed safety for chickens⁹.

Diet inclusion recommendations

When adding hemp seed to your chickens’ food, be careful with the amount.

Experts suggest using up to 20% hemp seed meal.

Make sure to buy from trusted suppliers to get low THC seeds and avoid contamination.

Regulators are still figuring out how to handle hemp seed in animal feed.

Since there are no clear rules, we must be careful and keep researching⁹.

As we learn more, we’ll understand how hemp seed affects chickens, eggs, and safety.

For now, it’s best to talk to a poultry expert before changing your chickens’ diet.

How does hemp seed compare to other feed supplements for laying hens?

Hemp seed is a top choice for laying hens because of its special nutrients.

It has proteins, fatty acids, and other important nutrients.

These can make eggs better and increase egg production.

Advantages of hemp seed over traditional poultry feed

Hemp seed has many benefits over regular chicken feed. It has 20–25% proteins and 25–35% oil full of essential fatty acids¹¹.

This makes it a great food for laying hens.

Adding hemp to chicken feed can make eggs bigger and better. It also makes the eggs have more healthy fats¹¹.

This makes hemp seed better than some other supplements for chickens.

Replacing protein and fatty acid sources in chicken diets

Hemp seed can be used instead of or along with other protein and fat sources in chicken food.

It has up to 40% protein in hemp cakes or meal¹¹.

This makes it a good choice for chickens.

Studies show that chickens do well on hempseed meal, hempseed cakes, or hemp oil¹¹.

This means hemp seed can be a good substitute for other foods without harming the chickens or their eggs.

Nutrient	Hemp Seed	Soybean Meal	Fish Oil
Protein	20-25%	44-48%	N/A
Oil Content	25-35%	1-2%	100%
Essential Fatty Acids	High	Low	High
Sustainability	High	Moderate	Low

Even though hemp seed looks good as a chicken supplement, we need more research.

We need to know more about its long-term effects and how much to use.

Studies are looking into how hemp products affect chicken feed, egg production, and egg quality¹².

What’s the best way to incorporate hemp seed into my chickens’ feed?

Adding hemp seeds to your chickens’ diet can make them healthier and improve their egg quality.

Hemp seeds are full of healthy fats, essential fatty acids, protein, and vitamins and minerals¹³.

You can use whole hemp seeds or hemp seed meal to add them to your flock’s feed.

Whole hemp seeds vs. hemp seed meal

Whole hemp seeds are a natural choice. They’re full of nutrients and can be given to chickens as is.

If needed, you can grind them a bit for easier digestion.

Hemp seed meal comes from making hemp oil and is loaded with protein and fiber.

It blends well with other feed ingredients, making it easy to use.

Mixing hemp seed with other feed ingredients

You can add hemp seeds or meal to your chickens’ current feed.

Start with a small amount, like 5% of the total feed, and slowly increase it to 20%. This helps your chickens get used to the new food.

Make sure to mix the hemp seed well with other feed so it’s spread out evenly.

When you start giving hemp to your chickens, watch how they do.

Studies show that chickens eating hemp seeds do better in feed conversion and gain weight¹³.

Remember, hemp seeds are great but should be part of a balanced diet for your flock.

Source Links

 

1. 1. https://bridenfarm.com/blog/hemp-seed-feed/ – Hemp Seed Feed

1. 1. https://hemptoday.net/fda-agency-gives-go-ahead-on-definition-of-hemp-seed-meal-for-laying-hens/ – FDA agency gives go-ahead on definition of ‘hemp seed meal’ for laying hens

1. 1. https://www.greenvalleynaturals.com.au/post/the-benefits-of-feeding-hemp-seeds-to-your-chickens-birds-or-small-animals – The benefits of feeding Hemp Seeds to your chickens, birds or small animals

1. 1. https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1009&context=jahr – Effects of Using Hemp Hearts as a Feed Additive in Broiler Chicks

1. 1. https://www.marijuanamoment.net/fda-recommendation-to-allow-hemp-seed-meal-as-livestock-feed-for-hens-wins-initial-approval/ – FDA Recommendation To Allow Hemp Seed Meal As Livestock Feed For Hens Wins Initial Approval

1. 1. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/5/750 – Effect of Dietary Incorporation of Hemp Seeds Alone or with Dried Fruit Pomace on Laying Hens’ Performance and on Lipid Composition and Oxidation Status of Egg Yolks

1. 1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10239304/ – The Effect of Feeding Laying Hens with Nonindustrial Hemp Seed on the Fatty Acid Profile, Cholesterol Level, and Tocopherol Composition of Egg Yolk

1. 1. https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-2214116/v1.pdf – PDF

1. 1. https://app.leg.wa.gov/ReportsToTheLegislature/Home/GetPDF?fileName=584-HempSeedProdFeedIngrLayingHensLegReport_db189afc-b202-43c6-b560-575176b0052e.pdf – Microsoft Word – hemp seed report 1-18-17

1. 1. https://www.thepoultrysite.com/news/2015/07/could-feeding-livestock-hemp-contaminate-food-with-cannabis – Could Feeding Livestock Hemp Contaminate Food with Cannabis?

1. 1. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2020.00387/full – Frontiers | Hemp in Veterinary Medicine: From Feed to Drug

1. 1. https://agsci.oregonstate.edu/sites/agscid7/files/hemp/2023-hemp_feed_workshop_white_paper.pdf – WHITE PAPER final

1. 1. https://bitchinchickens.com/2020/12/28/natural-remedy-for-chickens-cannabis/ – Natural Remedy For Chickens: Cannabis