Compositions of ruminant feed and feed components are disclosed, as well as methods for preparing oil seeds for ruminant feed. Oil seeds may be subjected to heat and an aqueous alkaline solution until the seed coat is broken, exhibiting splits, cracks, wrinkles, and deformations. Preferably, the heat is applied until the mix of seeds and alkaline solution reach between about 160-220° F. Preferably, the heat and alkaline solution treatment is maintained for between 20 and 100 minutes, in order to thoroughly “cook” the seeds, as exhibited by swelling, splitting, cracking, wrinkling and/or deforming of the seed coat. Then, the hot, wet, treated seeds may be subjected to, for example, a screw extruder or other process for mashing, macerating, or otherwise forming the treated seeds into a damp noodle or other pasty, mashed, and/or mealy material.
