June 18, 2025
Amino Acids Bonus Content
In this bonus episode of The Poultry Keepers Podcast, host Rip Stalvey dives into one of the most critical yet overlooked components of poultry nutrition—amino acids. Whether you're raising layers, broilers, breeders, or show birds, understanding the role of amino acids can dramatically improve your flock’s health, productivity, behavior, and appearance.
Learn how amino acids like methionine, lysine, and threonine affect feather development, muscle growth, egg production, immunity, and even temperament. Discover why crude protein percentages don’t tell the whole story, and what to look for in a well-formulated poultry feed. If you’ve ever wondered why your birds aren't performing at their best despite having “enough protein,” this episode is for you.
Tune in for practical tips on identifying amino acid deficiencies, interpreting feed labels, and balancing your poultry’s diet for optimal results.
Listen, subscribe and explore more resources at www.thepoultrykeeperspodcast.com
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WEBVTT
00:00:00.037 --> 00:00:03.967
Hello, and welcome to this bonus episode of the Poultry Keepers podcast.
00:00:04.238 --> 00:00:11.122
I'm your host, Rip Stalvey, and today we're going deep into one of the most overlooked but crucial topics in poultry nutrition.
00:00:11.122 --> 00:00:12.907
And that is amino acids.
00:00:12.907 --> 00:00:13.057
Acids.
00:00:27.681 --> 00:00:30.471
Now, whether you're raising birds for eggs, meat.
00:00:30.905 --> 00:00:41.015
Show or preservation, understanding how amino acids work can transform your flock's performance and help you avoid hidden nutritional pitfalls.
00:00:41.526 --> 00:00:49.165
So grab a notebook and a cup of coffee because this bonus segment is packed with practical knowledge to help you feed smarter, not harder.
00:00:50.816 --> 00:00:55.646
When poultry keepers think about feeding the birds protein usually tops the list.
00:00:56.786 --> 00:00:57.956
But here's a catch.
00:00:58.975 --> 00:01:09.236
It's not just about the amount of protein that matters, it's the quality of the protein and the real measure of that quality lies in amino acids.
00:01:10.016 --> 00:01:12.656
They are the molecular building blocks of proteins.
00:01:14.215 --> 00:01:16.286
Think of amino acids like chains.
00:01:17.006 --> 00:01:31.975
When they're connected in a specific sequence, they form the proteins that run almost every system in a bird's body from muscle growth, feather development, enzyme and hormone production, egg formation and immune system support.
00:01:33.266 --> 00:01:37.225
Out of the 20 common amino acids, birds can only make some of them.
00:01:37.975 --> 00:01:42.805
The rest, they're called essential amino acids, and they must come from the diet.
00:01:44.066 --> 00:01:45.596
So why is all this important?
00:01:46.075 --> 00:01:52.706
Well, because the deficiency or an imbalance in even one essential amino acid can lead to serious problems.
00:01:53.816 --> 00:02:15.306
Some of the most common issues you can see are poor growth rates, weaker bones or skeletal development, patchy or delayed feathering, reduced egg size and laying frequency, lower fertility, hatchability, suppressed immune system, along with even behavioral issues like nervousness or feather picking.
00:02:16.866 --> 00:02:19.806
Each essential amino as it has a special role.
00:02:20.225 --> 00:02:21.876
Let's look at a few examples.
00:02:22.496 --> 00:02:26.705
Methionine is crucial for feather development and general growth.
00:02:27.605 --> 00:02:31.145
Lysine drives muscle development and supports egg production.
00:02:31.945 --> 00:02:35.015
Threonine helps maintain gut health and immunity.
00:02:35.765 --> 00:02:46.415
Trytophan affects behavior and the bird's appetite while Valeen and Isoleucine support energy metabolism and muscle coordination.
00:02:48.006 --> 00:02:50.781
It is not just enough to have these in the diet.
00:02:51.230 --> 00:02:57.700
They must be present in the right balance relative to each other, for birds to make full use of their feed.
00:02:58.811 --> 00:03:02.110
Now, here's where it can get tricky For backyard and small flock keepers.
00:03:03.406 --> 00:03:08.925
You might be using a feed labeled 16% protein, but here's the truth.
00:03:09.586 --> 00:03:19.545
Total protein does not equal balanced amino acids, two feeds with the same crude protein nutrition can have wildly different amino acid profiles.
00:03:19.881 --> 00:03:20.241
Why?
00:03:20.841 --> 00:03:24.651
Well, because ingredient quality and variety matter.
00:03:25.431 --> 00:03:36.200
Feeds that rely mostly on plant proteins like soybeans, peas, or sunflower meal often fall short on methionine and lysine unless they're carefully balanced or supplemented.
00:03:37.461 --> 00:03:39.350
Now, if you're mixing your own feed.
00:03:39.776 --> 00:03:46.885
Especially with alternative grains or non GMO ingredients, it's even easier to miss the mark.
00:03:47.695 --> 00:03:52.691
And the worst part, feed tags usually don't tell you much beyond crude protein.
00:03:53.531 --> 00:03:53.651
I.
00:03:54.061 --> 00:03:57.931
So how can you tell if your flock is missing in the key amino acids?
00:03:58.741 --> 00:04:00.300
Well watch for these signs.
00:04:00.841 --> 00:04:13.681
Sluggish growth or smaller birds, narrow breasts or poor meat yield, ragged feathers, or slow molts, a drop in feather size, shell quality or frequency.
00:04:14.610 --> 00:04:20.850
Decreased fertility in breeding, flocks and nervous behavior, pecking or even cannibalism.
00:04:21.540 --> 00:04:28.321
If you see these signs and you know your feed has enough protein, it could be time to look at the amino acid content.
00:04:29.761 --> 00:04:33.781
So here's what you can do to improve amino acid nutrition in your flock.
00:04:34.771 --> 00:04:39.151
Number one is to choose feeds that list digestible amino acids.
00:04:39.721 --> 00:04:45.600
Look for methionine and lysine listed in starter, breeder layer, or grower feed.
00:04:46.141 --> 00:04:49.620
This is a sign that the feed was formulated with precision.
00:04:51.045 --> 00:05:07.786
Work with a poultry nutritionist if you're mixing your own feed, supplement smartly, natural or synthetic amino acids, especially methionine and lysine, can be added to correct imbalances Be sure to follow a professional's recommended dosages.
00:05:09.511 --> 00:05:10.920
Watch your flock closely.
00:05:11.550 --> 00:05:13.531
Good feed shows up in behavior.
00:05:13.891 --> 00:05:24.600
Birds that are alert, feathered properly laying well and growing evenly, or getting what they need now, feeding your birds isn't just about hitting a protein target.
00:05:24.600 --> 00:05:28.321
It's about hitting the right protein target.
00:05:29.161 --> 00:05:34.675
That means knowing what amino acids your birds need and making sure they're getting them in the right balance.
00:05:35.685 --> 00:05:39.466
Whether you're raising show birds, dual purpose layers or meat chickens.
00:05:40.065 --> 00:05:43.456
Amino acids are the foundations of productivity and health.
00:05:44.355 --> 00:05:52.336
If you want better results in the brooder, the show cage, or on the table, amino acids deserve your attention.
00:05:53.925 --> 00:06:04.786
I appreciate you joining me today, and if you found this information helpful, please share it with a fellow poultry keeper and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss a future update.
00:06:05.115 --> 00:06:13.935
You can subscribe at www.thepoultrykeeperspodcast.com.
00:06:14.386 --> 00:06:21.495
So until next time, keep learning, keep growing, and keep enjoying the birds that you love.
00:00:00.037 --> 00:00:03.967
Hello, and welcome to this bonus episode of the Poultry Keepers podcast.
00:00:04.238 --> 00:00:11.122
I'm your host, Rip Stalvey, and today we're going deep into one of the most overlooked but crucial topics in poultry nutrition.
00:00:11.122 --> 00:00:12.907
And that is amino acids.
00:00:12.907 --> 00:00:13.057
Acids.
00:00:27.681 --> 00:00:30.471
Now, whether you're raising birds for eggs, meat.
00:00:30.905 --> 00:00:41.015
Show or preservation, understanding how amino acids work can transform your flock's performance and help you avoid hidden nutritional pitfalls.
00:00:41.526 --> 00:00:49.165
So grab a notebook and a cup of coffee because this bonus segment is packed with practical knowledge to help you feed smarter, not harder.
00:00:50.816 --> 00:00:55.646
When poultry keepers think about feeding the birds protein usually tops the list.
00:00:56.786 --> 00:00:57.956
But here's a catch.
00:00:58.975 --> 00:01:09.236
It's not just about the amount of protein that matters, it's the quality of the protein and the real measure of that quality lies in amino acids.
00:01:10.016 --> 00:01:12.656
They are the molecular building blocks of proteins.
00:01:14.215 --> 00:01:16.286
Think of amino acids like chains.
00:01:17.006 --> 00:01:31.975
When they're connected in a specific sequence, they form the proteins that run almost every system in a bird's body from muscle growth, feather development, enzyme and hormone production, egg formation and immune system support.
00:01:33.266 --> 00:01:37.225
Out of the 20 common amino acids, birds can only make some of them.
00:01:37.975 --> 00:01:42.805
The rest, they're called essential amino acids, and they must come from the diet.
00:01:44.066 --> 00:01:45.596
So why is all this important?
00:01:46.075 --> 00:01:52.706
Well, because the deficiency or an imbalance in even one essential amino acid can lead to serious problems.
00:01:53.816 --> 00:02:15.306
Some of the most common issues you can see are poor growth rates, weaker bones or skeletal development, patchy or delayed feathering, reduced egg size and laying frequency, lower fertility, hatchability, suppressed immune system, along with even behavioral issues like nervousness or feather picking.
00:02:16.866 --> 00:02:19.806
Each essential amino as it has a special role.
00:02:20.225 --> 00:02:21.876
Let's look at a few examples.
00:02:22.496 --> 00:02:26.705
Methionine is crucial for feather development and general growth.
00:02:27.605 --> 00:02:31.145
Lysine drives muscle development and supports egg production.
00:02:31.945 --> 00:02:35.015
Threonine helps maintain gut health and immunity.
00:02:35.765 --> 00:02:46.415
Trytophan affects behavior and the bird's appetite while Valeen and Isoleucine support energy metabolism and muscle coordination.
00:02:48.006 --> 00:02:50.781
It is not just enough to have these in the diet.
00:02:51.230 --> 00:02:57.700
They must be present in the right balance relative to each other, for birds to make full use of their feed.
00:02:58.811 --> 00:03:02.110
Now, here's where it can get tricky For backyard and small flock keepers.
00:03:03.406 --> 00:03:08.925
You might be using a feed labeled 16% protein, but here's the truth.
00:03:09.586 --> 00:03:19.545
Total protein does not equal balanced amino acids, two feeds with the same crude protein nutrition can have wildly different amino acid profiles.
00:03:19.881 --> 00:03:20.241
Why?
00:03:20.841 --> 00:03:24.651
Well, because ingredient quality and variety matter.
00:03:25.431 --> 00:03:36.200
Feeds that rely mostly on plant proteins like soybeans, peas, or sunflower meal often fall short on methionine and lysine unless they're carefully balanced or supplemented.
00:03:37.461 --> 00:03:39.350
Now, if you're mixing your own feed.
00:03:39.776 --> 00:03:46.885
Especially with alternative grains or non GMO ingredients, it's even easier to miss the mark.
00:03:47.695 --> 00:03:52.691
And the worst part, feed tags usually don't tell you much beyond crude protein.
00:03:53.531 --> 00:03:53.651
I.
00:03:54.061 --> 00:03:57.931
So how can you tell if your flock is missing in the key amino acids?
00:03:58.741 --> 00:04:00.300
Well watch for these signs.
00:04:00.841 --> 00:04:13.681
Sluggish growth or smaller birds, narrow breasts or poor meat yield, ragged feathers, or slow molts, a drop in feather size, shell quality or frequency.
00:04:14.610 --> 00:04:20.850
Decreased fertility in breeding, flocks and nervous behavior, pecking or even cannibalism.
00:04:21.540 --> 00:04:28.321
If you see these signs and you know your feed has enough protein, it could be time to look at the amino acid content.
00:04:29.761 --> 00:04:33.781
So here's what you can do to improve amino acid nutrition in your flock.
00:04:34.771 --> 00:04:39.151
Number one is to choose feeds that list digestible amino acids.
00:04:39.721 --> 00:04:45.600
Look for methionine and lysine listed in starter, breeder layer, or grower feed.
00:04:46.141 --> 00:04:49.620
This is a sign that the feed was formulated with precision.
00:04:51.045 --> 00:05:07.786
Work with a poultry nutritionist if you're mixing your own feed, supplement smartly, natural or synthetic amino acids, especially methionine and lysine, can be added to correct imbalances Be sure to follow a professional's recommended dosages.
00:05:09.511 --> 00:05:10.920
Watch your flock closely.
00:05:11.550 --> 00:05:13.531
Good feed shows up in behavior.
00:05:13.891 --> 00:05:24.600
Birds that are alert, feathered properly laying well and growing evenly, or getting what they need now, feeding your birds isn't just about hitting a protein target.
00:05:24.600 --> 00:05:28.321
It's about hitting the right protein target.
00:05:29.161 --> 00:05:34.675
That means knowing what amino acids your birds need and making sure they're getting them in the right balance.
00:05:35.685 --> 00:05:39.466
Whether you're raising show birds, dual purpose layers or meat chickens.
00:05:40.065 --> 00:05:43.456
Amino acids are the foundations of productivity and health.
00:05:44.355 --> 00:05:52.336
If you want better results in the brooder, the show cage, or on the table, amino acids deserve your attention.
00:05:53.925 --> 00:06:04.786
I appreciate you joining me today, and if you found this information helpful, please share it with a fellow poultry keeper and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss a future update.
00:06:05.115 --> 00:06:13.935
You can subscribe at www.thepoultrykeeperspodcast.com.
00:06:14.386 --> 00:06:21.495
So until next time, keep learning, keep growing, and keep enjoying the birds that you love.