A Commercial Feed that Chickens actually Like?

[Kiki]

Our chicks are almost 10 weeks...and I wanted to spoil them so I got Scratch & Peck Feeds...and now they're not a big fan of the crumbles so I mixed that with another starter as they go through the scratch and Peck so fast. So it lasts a lot longer! And they still go nuts for it!

Please stop buying a whole grain feed. You are not helping your birds get a complete balance diet by feeding them that. It will cause problems once they hit laying age. No doubt.

 

[mustangjayyyme]

Please stop buying a whole grain feed. You are not helping your birds get a complete balance diet by feeding them that. It will cause problems once they hit laying age. No doubt.

Do you mind me asking why that is? They do get regular crumbles as well too. Just curious why the grains aren't that great for them. Wonder why they'd sell that if so. But I know some things on the market just aren't good for most. Is there certain things you recommend they need for sure in a feed?

 

[Kiki]

Do you mind me asking why that is? They do get regular crumbles as well too. Just curious why the grains aren't that great for them. Wonder why they'd sell that if so. But I know some things on the market just aren't good for most. Is there certain things you recommend they need for sure in a feed?

Money.
Same reason they sell soda and chips for humans.

 

[Fallenone05]

Do you mind me asking why that is? They do get regular crumbles as well too. Just curious why the grains aren't that great for them. Wonder why they'd sell that if so. But I know some things on the market just aren't good for most. Is there certain things you recommend they need for sure in a feed?

Everything that's in a chick grower/starter is exactly what they need until they hit laying age, then they need an all flock feed or something higher in protein with calcium on the side. Depending on the breeds you have, layer feed will not have enough calcium for healthy development of eggs.

Scratch grain almost seems like a good way to get your birds fat and unhealthy to get them sick so you buy more birds and repeat the cycle. Scratch grain is like candy for chickens and builds up lots of excess fat in the bird's body.

When I slaughtered one of my birds, when I used to follow a friend's advice on feeding methods, they were VERY fatty/obese and it was probably the reason why she stopped laying and got so unhealthy. I mixed scratch into their regular food, just like you, and it was just so bad for her and her health.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Do you mind me asking why that is? They do get regular crumbles as well too. Just curious why the grains aren't that great for them. Wonder why they'd sell that if so. But I know some things on the market just aren't good for most. Is there certain things you recommend they need for sure in a feed?

The issue with whole grain feeds is birds will pick out what they like and throw aside what they don't like.

I also feed Scratch & Peck, but I ferment it, which makes everything stick and clump together, forcing them to not only eat all the grains, but also the powdery fines which contain all the added vitamins and protein. It also reduces waste greatly as the birds are eating the entire feed.

In addition I offer dry pelleted feed freely during the day, but they polish off the S&P first thing in the morning.

 

[mustangjayyyme]

Everything that's in a chick grower/starter is exactly what they need until they hit laying age, then they need an all flock feed or something higher in protein with calcium on the side. Depending on the breeds you have, layer feed will not have enough calcium for healthy development of eggs.

Scratch grain almost seems like a good way to get your birds fat and unhealthy to get them sick so you buy more birds and repeat the cycle. Scratch grain is like candy for chickens and builds up lots of excess fat in the bird's body.

When I slaughtered one of my birds, when I used to follow a friend's advice on feeding methods, they were VERY fatty/obese and it was probably the reason why she stopped laying and got so unhealthy. I mixed scratch into their regular food, just like you, and it was just so bad for her and her health.

We are using a starter/grower of both crumbles and or the scratch and Peck feed at the appropriate times...not just giving them random food not suitable for their age...but was looking for better than the crumbles because it just looks like trash to feed birds. But from what I searched on here I can see it can lead them to be picky and not get everything they need out of a feed.

 

[mustangjayyyme]

The issue with whole grain feeds is birds will pick out what they like and throw aside what they don't like.

I also feed Scratch & Peck, but I ferment it, which makes everything stick and clump together, forcing them to not only eat all the grains, but also the powdery fines which contain all the added vitamins and protein. It also reduces waste greatly as the birds are eating the entire feed.

In addition I offer dry pelleted feed freely during the day, but they polish off the S&P first thing in the morning.

I did do some searching here after my first reply on this feed...and do see where it would cause a dilemma with the chickens which I can completely agree with and understand. I will try the fermenting now and see how they like that as a treat breakfast and keep them on regular crumbles other than that. Thank you for the info.

 

[LovinMyGirlies]

Mine have access to Purina Layena Free Range Pellets all day and then three times a day they get fermented Scratch and Peck Feed (portioned out). They eat every bit of the S&P fermented feed and are just kinda forced to eat the Purina (they don’t prefer it). They also free range all day, if that makes a difference. None are obese and lay consistently.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

I have some picky birds here. *I* personally LOVE the smell of Nutrena All Flock and Hearty Hen. My birds will eat this but it's been obvious that they prefer Purina Flock Raiser Crumbles. @EggSighted4Life has so much nutritional information and shared a lot already, but after after reading a lot of their information, I decided to stick with Purina Flock Raiser and offer oyster shell and grit on the side. My birds go through a lot of feed, but I feel like quality nutrition is one of the most important parts of raising chickens, so I plan on keeping them on Purina Flock Raiser. The only time that my flock hasn't been extremely eager to eat this feed was one time that I ended up with a bag that had a mill date of approximately 5 MONTHS before! The feed was still within their time frame they consider perfectly fine, but my birds knew something wasn't normal. I didn't even realize it until their behavior alerted me that something was off. The guys at the feed store was rolling his eyes, but it is what it is. I was able to exchange the feed for a fresh bag and my birds were happy again.

My birds LOVE their feed moistened with water (cold water in Summer months and warm water added in winter months) so this is their favorite treat at night.

Edited to add that I noticed them pecking away at some frozen "mash" (moistened feed). It was so cold but they seemed to really enjoy that. I almost feel like it was more something fun and new to do than anything else.

 

[Kiki]

@KathyD Texas here's a quick short thread that's worth reading.