With its high nutritional value, kelp is considered one of the most sought-after superfoods for human and animal diets. It carries various micronutrients, making it an all-natural feed supplement. The environment where kelp grows also provides it with over 100 bioavailable vitamins and minerals.
In this article, we’ll go over the benefits of kelp and how to effectively include kelp as part of an animal’s diet.
The Nutritional Benefits of Kelp
Kelp absorbs minerals and micronutrients from the sea, making it among the most nutrient-dense foods available. It is an excellent source of more than 60 different minerals and contains 21 amino acids and 12 vitamins easily absorbed by the body. Some nutrients packed in kelp include copper, calcium, carotenoids, dietary sodium, fiber, folate, flavonoids, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, and zinc.
Kelp’s trace minerals are beneficial in promoting good health and immune functions. They also help reduce the risk of nutritional disorders like milk fever and grass tetany, reduces ruminal methane production, and balances a diet of dried feed and roughage.
Animals That Benefit From Kelp
Animals like cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, and goats benefit from kelp in numerous ways. This supplement improves feed utilization, serves as an excellent source of iodine, improves milk production, and supports weight gain. It also helps reduce breeding problems, internal parasites, white muscle disease, and wool shedding.
For dairy cows, kelp helps increase the iodine content and milk butterfat levels with fewer fluctuations. It also decreases the chance of mastitis, milk fever, and breeding problems.
Chickens also benefit from kelp; the supplement increases egg production, and strengthens the eggs’ shells. Finally, kelp promotes flexibility and improves the sheen of the skin and coat of dogs, cats, horses, and the like.
Portion Recommendation When Using Kelp as an Animal Supplement
Because of kelp’s leathery texture, it is not easy for animals to eat. So, to easily add this plant to their diet, it is dried and turned into pellets or grains. During the process, low heating temperatures are maintained to preserve the nutrients.
Here are recommended feeding ratios for livestock and pets:
- Dairy and beef cattle: 2 to 4 oz. per day
- Calves: 1 to 2 oz. per day
- Range cattle: Free choice at two parts meal to one part salt mix
- Horses, sheep, and goats: ¼ to ½ oz. per day
- Swine: Free choice or 50 lbs. to 2000 lbs. of complete ration
- Chickens: 1% of total feed pre-mixed
- Turkeys: 1 to 2% of total feed pre-mixed
- Dogs: ¼ teaspoon per 25 lbs. body weight
- Cats: 1 pinch or 1/16 teaspoon per day
Kelp Feed Supplements From North American Kelp
North American Kelp is your reliable source of kelp feed supplements for your pets and livestock. Our Sealife™ kelp meal is made from 100% wild-harvested seaweed from the Maine coast and is suited for year-round supplementation. It is high in iodine to help foster a healthy immune system for animals and help boost the iodine content in their milk. Plus, Sealife™ is rich in vitamins, calcium, and magnesium to help balance crucial electrolytes and reduce risks of milk fever and grass tetany.
If you’re looking for an excellent natural feed supplement for your animals, North American Kelp is the partner you need! Contact us today for more information about our kelp products!
