Why Meat and Bone Meal Is Best for Poultry Diets?
When it comes to raising healthy, productive poultry, nutrition is everything. At Sharpes, we believe in giving your flock the best start and ongoing support with high-quality, New Zealand-made chicken pellets and crumbles. One of the key ingredients in our Hi-Lay Pellets is meat and bone meal (MBM) — and here’s why it’s the superior choice for poultry diets.
What Is Meat and Bone Meal?
Meat and bone meal is a protein-rich feed ingredient made from offal — the unused parts of animal meat. While not commonly found on supermarket shelves, offal is packed with nutrients that are ideal for animal feed. MBM provides chickens with the protein they need for growth, egg production, and overall health.
Why Protein Matters
Protein is essential for poultry, especially laying hens. Feathers are made up of 75% protein, and eggs are essentially protein-rich packages. MBM delivers high-quality animal protein that supports these functions naturally, without the need for additional supplements.
MBM vs. Soya: Nutritional and Cost Comparison
Soya is a common plant-based protein used in poultry feed, but MBM offers several advantages:
– Higher calcium and phosphorus levels** — crucial for strong eggshells and skeletal development.
– Better energy density** — thanks to its fat content, MBM provides more metabolizable energy.
– More complete amino acid profile** — MBM contains 10 of the 20 essential amino acids chickens can’t produce on their own.
While MBM may be slightly more expensive than soya-based feeds in New Zealand, its nutritional density means you can feed less while achieving better results — making it a cost-effective choice in the long run.
The Sharpes Advantage
Sharpes’ range of poultry feeds, including our Hi-Lay Pellets, are formulated with MBM to support chickens at every life stage — from chicks to layers. Our feeds are designed to promote:
– Healthy growth
– Strong egg production
– Improved shell thickness
– Better overall flock health
Choosing the right feed is one of the most important decisions for poultry owners. With its superior protein content, essential minerals, and energy density, **meat and bone meal** stands out as the best option for supporting your flock’s health and productivity.
Sharpes is proud to offer a full range of MBM-based feeds to help your chickens thrive.
