Topic of the Week - Feeding Chickens - What to feed and when?

+1
+1
+1

After raising three different batches of chicks in as many years, I now give my chicks a dirt clump as soon as I get them home and in their new digs.

twice I've had instances of Pasty butt in my chicks, each time after cleaning up the affected chick(s) the flock then got a clump of dirt. After the dirt was added there was no more pasty butt.

Also after watching my broody having her chicks scratching in the dirt on day two and eating wireworms(looks like a meal worm) straight out of the garden by day 4, I'm convinced of the usefulness of dirt clumps for very young chicks. In a way it's so funny, after letting a broody raise chicks this spring, so many questions regarding raising chicks were answered just by watching the broody with her clutch. I found myself responding to many questions on the Raising Chicks forum section with answers that started with "well, by day X my broody was doing xyz with her chicks"


I've only seen a couple of responses here the mentioned Fodder. I've read that fodder doesn't increase the nutrient level and may actually reduce it slightly. But regardless of the nutrient level of fodder, I do it through the winter to provide some fresh greens for the girls. Mine dont' get out to freerange much in the warmer weather as they will destroy the yard/garden. But when they do get out they all stop right outside the run and tear into the grass that was just out of reach when locked in the pen. This is the reason I feed fodder in the winter.
You can learn a lot by watching a chicken. Those dirt clumps provide so many benefits, and I'm sure we really don't know just how many benefits they do provide. Ever held a wire worm in your bare hand for any length of time? Those monsters bite! And if baby chicks straight out of the nest can manage them, that in it'self is pretty cool!!! Some of the research re: fodder vs. sprouts does lean in the direction of sprouts having more nutrient than fodder. But either way, if it's green and growing, common sense says it's gotta be a good thing. It's so easy to provide green growing things for my birds in the winter, even if they have to grow in a jar on my counter. I've read some studies that say that simply the enzymatic action that is activated when a seed starts to germinate greatly increases the nutritional benefit of that seed, when all you've added is water. Add a bit of sun to activate the chlorophyl, and you've activated a nutrient factory.
 
Last edited:
- Medicated or non-medicated feed?

I think that's location dependent. I tend to feed medicated feed, because coccidiosis can be an issue in my area.

- When do you switch from chick crumbs to grower and layer feed?

I go from chick start to grower/raiser at about 8 weeks, and back when I still used layer I would switch at no younger than 18 weeks, but preferably a week or two prior to lay.

- Is it o.k. to feed older birds chick food, cockbirds layer feed, etc?

Yes, any bird of any species can eat a chick or grower ration (non-medicated, that is, as it's not necessary.) For several years I have kept my entire flock on a 20% flock ration, supplemented with oyster shell. I have had zero losses due to nutrition since then - in fact I saw more nutrtional issues and reproductive issues like egg binding, prolapses while feeding layer feed. Cocks, on the other hand, should never have laying feed. Nor should young birds, most other species, or even mature laying hens not currently laying. While mature non-laying birds may cope with the damage being caused to their kidneys by layer feed, it can severely hurt and even kill young chicks, and is a drag on the systems of adult birds. When in doubt, feed a grower/raiser ration. The only bird who should ever eat layer is a mature, egg-laying hen, who is currently in production.

- Thoughts on organic feed?

That's a personal preference. I haven't found any difference between organic, non-GMO, and conventional feeds. I feed either or both depending on what's cheap and available.

- When do you start feeding treats and how much and often do you give these?

I never feed treats to birds who are not yet mature. They need precise nutrition when they are at a young age. To my mature flock, I give 12% pigeon feed as scratch, usually about 3-5 pounds once a week to 150+ birds. The standard pen (never the bantams) get the leftover popcorn whenever I see a movie. Pulled up plants and bird-pecked fruits and veggies from the garden get thrown over the fence during the summer time.

- Do you make/mix your own home-made feed? If so, what do you consider the best recipe(s)?

I do not. I have found nutritionally adequate home mixes to be incredibly rare and generally not worth the extreme cost and time that must be put into them. Even nutritionally balanced home mixes are fallible - as the chickens can simply pick through them and pick out the tasty but not nutritionally adequate grains.

- Who uses fermented feed and what are your thoughts on that?

I used to, back when I had 80 or so birds. I found it useful. It reduced the amount of feed used and the birds enjoyed it. However, it was time intensive and as my flock increased in numbers I had to give it up.
 
Last edited:
I tried fermenting last fall - spring. I kept a dry feed bucket out at all times but brought a dish of fermented out to them every day as well. They cleaned up the fermented feed every day. A little tougher in the winter because if they didn't eat it quick enough it froze in the dish. The problem I had with fermenting was that I had a bearded Salmon Faverolle. The fermented feed would get all gummed up in her beard every day and harden like a rock. I had to cut the poor dear beard all off. I like feeding fermented so I won't be getting any bearded breeds in the future. When Rosie Fluffybottom is no longer with us I will be returning to fermenting for sure.
I used to have the beard problem as well. Since I started mixing thicker, no problems with my SF or Silkies or Ameraucana chicks anymore. The older ones from thinner mixing are still missing chin feathers because the others graciously cleaned it for them back then and they won't grow in until molt.
 
This is a hot topic on our forums and questions like when to switch feed and what is the best feed comes up frequently. So, for our featured Topic of the Week this week I would like to ask you all's opinions and suggestions on feeding chickens. Specifically:

- Medicated or non-medicated feed?
- When do you switch from chick crumbs to grower and layer feed?
- Is it o.k. to feed older birds chick food, cockbirds layer feed, etc?
- Thoughts on organic feed?
- When do you start feeding treats and how much and often do you give these?
- Do you make/mix your own home-made feed? If so, what do you consider the best recipe(s)?
- Who uses fermented feed and what are your thoughts on that?


Okay so I know I'm new here and all but, you can't beat science. I'm going to feed my girls fodder that I grow in my greenhouse. That cuts down on the NON medicated feed cost by 75% and they absorb three times the amount of nutrients than they would from the regular scratch feed
 
Okay so I know I'm new here and all but, you can't beat science. I'm going to feed my girls fodder that I grow in my greenhouse. That cuts down on the NON medicated feed cost by 75% and they absorb three times the amount of nutrients than they would from the regular scratch feed


I'd love to see some links to this science you speak of.

I'm not gonna lie, I'm kinda confused by your comparison of fodder to scratch. That's kinda like comparing lettuce to candy. Yeah, lettuce has its own place and candy should only be a treat, but neither is appropriate as a main source of sustenance.
 
Last edited:
Feeding sprouted grain to livestock is hardly a new concept. In the 1800s, European dairy farmers fed sprouted grains to their cows during winter to maintain milk production and improve fertility. Similar methods were probably practiced centuries before that.
400
this is for barley

Most birds eat less then one pound a day...
 
Feeding sprouted grain to livestock is hardly a new concept. In the 1800s, European dairy farmers fed sprouted grains to their cows during winter to maintain milk production and improve fertility. Similar methods were probably practiced centuries before that. this is for barley

Most birds eat less then one pound a day...
I bought stuff to do sprouted barley. But I was under the impression that fodder was different than sprouting which was to be fed out about day 7 or 8.

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2014/02/sprouting-grains-for-chickens-fodder.html
 
- Medicated or non-medicated feed?
I have never fed medicated feed. Most of my chicks are hatched out the old fashion way and are scratching in the dirt with their mothers from day one. I have never had a problem with cocci. I think if anything it reduces the chicks natural immunity.

- When do you switch from chick crumbs to grower and layer feed?
I mix my own feed so things are a little different for me. When the chicks are young I grind the feed smaller for them, and increase the protein to around ~24%. I reduce the protein level by about 2 percent every four weeks, so by the time they are laying age they are getting about 16%

- Is it o.k. to feed older birds chick food, cockbirds layer feed, etc?
I have mixed age and gender in my flock so I feed an all flock feed. When they are molting I increase they protein.

- Thoughts on organic feed?
I think there are benefits to organic feed, but unless you have a very small flock or a very large income it is not practical for most people do to the cost.

- When do you start feeding treats and how much and often do you give these?
I give my chicks supplements more than treats per se. As soon as the chicks really start being interested in food (usually on day 2 or 3) I put out a small dish of yogurt, several grass clumps, and dandelion, chickweed, or other healthy greens for them to pick at. hard boiled eggs are also a great treat for chicks.Though it's not really a food item, putting out a bowl of dirt for the chicks to dust in is something they really enjoy.

- Do you make/mix your own home-made feed? If so, what do you consider the best recipe(s)?
I mix my own non GMO feed. I use a variety of grains (which I ferment) to which I add fish meal and premix. I also feed table scraps, veggie scraps, and clabbered milk (when we don't have pigs). I might try a non gmo chicken feed that my feed store is carrying at some point, but I am happy with the results I'm getting now, and I think the fermented pellets (which turn to mush) would be a lot less appealing to my flock.

- Who uses fermented feed and what are your thoughts on that?
I'm a big FF fan. A couple of times when my birds have been off FF their egg production has actually dropped. I feed less feed when it is fermented, and the chickens prefer it to dry feed. I have been fermenting feed now for a couple of years and I have yet to have a batch go bad. The general rule of thumb I follow is to only feed out as much feed as my flock can eat in a day. If the feed sits over into the next day the chance that it will mold goes up. Since I have a larger flock (100-150) I soak the feed in 5 gallon buckets outdoors in the barn. It has to be pretty cold to freeze (under 20F) so I just have to bring it in on the coldest nights.I have a hose going in to the barn so soaking it is a breeze. If you have the time and space, I would definitely recommend FF.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom