Tick beans (Vicia faba L. var. minor) are part of the Leguminosae (Fabaceae) family of plants. Tick beans are primarily grown for human consumption, but they can also be fed to animals. Tick beans can be fed to cattle, sheep, horses, pigs and poultry as part of a balanced diet.
Tick beans are also known as faba, horse or broad beans and are a good protein source with an energy level similar to the cereal grains. However the quality of the protein is lower due to the low levels of amino acids - methionine and cysteine.
Tick beans are popular as a protein source in horse feeds. They are usually cracked or coarsely ground for feeding, but whole beans are satisfactory for mature cattle and sheep.
