An unbalanced diet and a lack of vital substances in the bird’s menu – vitamins, amino acids, macro- and microelements – leads to the fact that chickens stop laying eggsThis problem can be solved with complex supplements or premixes containing all the necessary elements in optimal concentrations. "Ryabushka" is one such product. What it consists of and how to feed it to laying hens is discussed below.
What is this additive?
"Ryabushka" is a vitamin and mineral supplement produced as a premix and a light-brown powder. This supplement should be mixed with the laying hen's feed to help restore the hen's vitamin and mineral balance.
We recommend reading the article about vitamins to increase egg production in chickens.
Furthermore, regular use of the premix has a positive effect on the hens' digestive system, strengthens their skeletons, supports their immunity, and increases productivity, resulting in egg production reaching 320 eggs per year. An additional benefit of "Ryabushka" is that it improves the quality of the eggs themselves—they become larger and rarely have two yolks.
A quality supplement has a uniform consistency and is free of lumps, mold, or fungi. It smells like vitamins because it contains no added flavorings.
The main characteristics of "Ryabushka" are presented in the following table:
| Manufacturer | LLC "Agrovit" |
| Product subcategory | Everyday premix. |
| Release form | Homogeneous powder or briquette of light brown color. |
| Packaging | From 150 g to 25 kg. |
| Storage conditions | The premix should be stored in a dry, cool, and well-ventilated place at a temperature of up to 25°C and a humidity of up to 75%. There should be no chemicals near the premix. |
| Best before date | 18 months from the date of manufacture, provided that all storage conditions have been met. |
Composition of the drug
The supplement contains various active ingredients that have a positive effect on the laying hens. The exact composition of the ingredients depends on the product's form—powder or pellet.
Composition of the powdered product
The supplement has a rich composition, as it includes:
1Vitamins
Laying hens require only small amounts of these vitamins, but they are essential for the normal functioning of all their body systems. Here are the vitamins included in the premix:
| Name of the vitamin | Content per 1 kg of premix in grams, milligrams or international units |
| A (retinol) | 1.4 million IU |
| B1 (thiamine) | 0.4 g |
| B2 (riboflavin) | 0.6 g |
| B3 or PP (nicotinic acid or niacin) | 4 g |
| B4 (choline) | 50 g |
| B5 (pantothenic acid) | 4 g |
| B6 (pyridoxine) | 0.8 g |
| B12 (cyanocobalamin) | 5 mg |
| D3 (cholecalciferol) | 300,000 IU |
| E (tocopherol) | 1 g |
| K (naphthoquinone) | 0.2 g |
| H (biotin) | 20 mg |
2Minerals
They help improve the appearance of feathers, promote uniform feather growth and embryo development, and participate in the process of cleansing the body of blood clots and toxic substances. Here are the main minerals contained in the supplement:
| Name of the mineral | Content per 1 kg of premix | Functions |
| Cobalt (Co) | 0.2 g | This mineral is involved in metabolism and hematopoiesis, making it essential for the normal functioning of birds. A deficiency in chickens can lead to loss of appetite, metabolic disorders, anemia, and progressive emaciation. |
| Manganese (Mn) | 10 g | An element with a protective function that is responsible for the normal functioning of the musculoskeletal system, preventing the formation of excess fats and the absorption of harmful substances in the liver. |
| Iron (Fe) | 2 g | An essential element in the diet of birds, it is necessary for the formation of hemoglobin, a complex iron-containing protein. The mineral reversibly binds with oxygen and transports it to all parts of the body. |
| Iodine (I) | 0.14 g | An essential element for the proper functioning of the poultry endocrine system, as it participates in the synthesis of hormones. |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.5 g | It's responsible for the proper development of the embryo and improves reproductive performance in females. This trace mineral also helps remove harmful substances from the body and strengthen feathers. Adequate copper keeps hens fresh, healthy, and attractive. |
| Zinc (Zn) | 12 g | An enzyme that stimulates protein and carbohydrate metabolism. It also improves pancreatic function and plays a significant role in tissue respiration and hematopoiesis, thus directly influencing the development of living organisms. Eggshell formation and skeletal development are inseparable from zinc. |
In small quantities, "Ryabushka" also contains the following microelements:
- selenium – helps tocopherol (vitamin E) accumulate in the body, is an immunostimulant, removes toxic substances from the body, prevents the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases and stomach diseases;
- calcium - is needed for the formation of strong eggshells, therefore, if there is a deficiency of it, hens lay eggs either with thin shells or without them at all, and young animals develop rickets, bones become brittle and fragile, and their growth stops;
- phosphorus – is present in all tissues of a living being, participates in the synthesis of collagen and is one of the components of nucleic acids.
Scientists believe that phosphorus is the only mineral that has a direct impact on the quality of meat.
3Amino acids
It is their quantity that influences the completeness of proteins, which are essential for the normal development of a living organism. Protein requirements increase especially during the egg-laying period. However, not all amino acids are synthesized in the body—some are obtained only through food. To ensure that the laying hen receives all the necessary amino acids, the supplement contains:
- lysine – helps to absorb calcium, and also participates in the synthesis of collagen, enzymes, skeletal tissues and carnitine (an antioxidant necessary for lipid metabolism);
- methionine – an amino acid containing sulfur, which is involved in lipid metabolism and feather formation in birds, and also supports the productivity of laying hens.
Composition of the nutrient briquette
In addition to the powdered premix, the manufacturer offers a bioactive multi-component feed in a convenient nutritious briquette form. It contains only natural ingredients:
- corn and barley grains;
- sunflower seeds;
- vitamins – A, D3, E, group B (B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B12), K, H;
- macroelements – sulfur, phosphorus and calcium;
- microelements – iron, manganese, cobalt, iodine, copper, zinc, selenium.
In addition, the following ingredients are added to the briquette:
- a protein of plant origin that is a building material for tissues;
- vegetable fat, rich in fat-soluble vitamins (A, E, D, K) and playing an important role in lipid metabolism;
- polyunsaturated fatty acid (linoleic acid), the deficiency of which in chickens causes an increased need for water, the body's resistance to various pathogenic factors decreases, and the development of the embryo in the egg is disrupted;
- easily digestible sugars that release sufficient energy and ensure the normal functioning of the digestive system;
- salt – increases appetite and participates in metabolic processes;
- sulfur, which participates in the formation of down, feathers, and claws;
- Cystine is an amino acid that promotes feather formation and is also able to absorb ultraviolet rays, thereby protecting the bird's body from harmful excess ultraviolet radiation.
Regardless of the form of release, Ryabushka does not contain hormones, preservatives, stimulants or genetically modified substances.
Pharmacological action
The correct dosage and use of "Ryabushka" improves the overall health of birds, as well as:
- increases the egg production of laying hens, which can lay up to 5-6 eggs per week, and up to 280-300 eggs per year;
- promotes the formation of a stronger and harder shell;
- increases egg mass;
- helps the normal development of laying hens and maintains their strong immunity;
- prevents the development of vitamin deficiency;
- is an excellent preventative against cannibalism;
- reduces the risk of developing eye diseases and rickets in birds;
- gives birds' plumage a healthy appearance;
- reduces the mortality rate of young animals;
- increases the body weight of slaughtered chicken by 10-15%.
The use of premix promotes proper absorption of food in the birds' bodies, therefore reducing feed costs.
Instructions for use
Before feeding the premix to your chickens, be sure to read the manufacturer's instructions on the packaging. It's important to understand that "Ryabushka" is not a feed, but a supplement that should be added to the main diet, so it cannot completely replace feeding.
For more information on feeding laying hens, look forHere.
The daily dose of "Ryabushka" depends on the individual:
- 0.25 g – per one chicken;
- 0.5 g – per one adult broiler, rooster and other individual that does not perform the function of an egg supplier;
- 1 g – per one laying hen.
For ease of use, keep in mind that one tablespoon contains 20-24 g of the supplement, and one teaspoon contains 3-4 g. Knowing the amount of the supplement per animal, you can easily calculate the daily dose for the entire herd. Typically, a 150 g package of the supplement is sufficient for preparing 30 kg of compound feed.
To ensure Ryabushka mixes well with the food, pre-mix the required amount with an equal amount of wheat flour or bran (1:1). Add the prepared vitamin-flour mixture to the food and mix thoroughly.
- ✓ Use only cold feed when mixing with premix to avoid destruction of vitamins.
- ✓ Store the premix in a dry place at a temperature not exceeding 25°C and humidity up to 75%, away from chemicals.
The premix can only be added to cold food, since when mixed with hot food, some of the vitamins are destroyed.
The manufacturer recommends feeding the premix 2-3 times per day. The calculated daily dose should be divided into equal portions based on the number of meals. Each portion should be added to cold, freshly prepared feed and mixed thoroughly. Please note that the daily dose of premix can be given in a single meal, but this should be done in the morning, when the gastrointestinal tract is at its most efficient and able to digest the supplement.
If "Ryabushka" is introduced into the chicken diet, the birds must be provided with free access to fresh, clean water. It is recommended to change the water in the drinking bowls several times a day.
- ✓ Provide chickens with free access to clean water, changing it several times a day.
- ✓ Maintain optimal temperature and humidity in the chicken coop for the comfort of the birds.
If you feed your hens a premix daily, their productivity will increase to 5-6 eggs per week within 10-13 days. You'll also notice an improvement in egg quality—the yolks will be bright orange, and the shells will be noticeably thicker.
Side effects and contraindications
A mineral and vitamin supplement will never cause side effects if you follow all the rules for its use:
- strictly adhere to the dosage;
- feed the supplement only to domestic birds;
- provide chickens with access to cold, clean water;
- do not mix with industrial compound feed;
- Observe storage conditions, keeping away from chemical or toxic substances, other fertilizers.
- × Do not mix Ryabushka with industrial compound feed or other vitamin supplements to avoid hypervitaminosis.
- × Avoid overdosing by strictly following the dosage instructions for different age groups of birds.
Regarding contraindications, it should be noted that Ryabushka is strictly prohibited for use with other complex supplements. Each of these supplements already contains a complete, balanced set of vitamins and minerals, so taking them simultaneously increases the risk of hypervitaminosis—an excess of vitamins in the body that can cause intoxication when taken at extremely high doses. This also explains the prohibition on the simultaneous use of the supplement and commercial compound feed.
Video: Why should chickens be given premix?
To help your chickens replenish their vitamin and mineral reserves after the long fall and winter season, it's a good idea to add "Ryabushka" to their diet. The video below explains the supplement in more detail:
Learn about the benefits of the Ryabushka supplement from the video below:
Breeder reviews
"Ryabushka" is one of the most popular vitamin and mineral supplements, so experienced breeders not only share their impressions but also offer helpful advice.
"Ryabushka" is a natural supplement that increases the productivity of domestic laying hens, strengthens their immune system, and prevents various diseases. It is not only harmless to the birds but also safe for humans, so you can safely eat eggs laid by hens fed this premix.