Hi I am totally new, this is my first post. I would love to have a few hens. I have heard that "grass fed" is the best. My real question is this: once I knew someone who told me she fed her chickens the leftover food from the B&B where she worked. So this would be raw veg scraps, and whatever cooked food that was left on the plates of the people after they were finished eating. I will say that whatever she fed them they were the BEST eggs I ever had in my entire life bar none. I don't even buy "free range" in the store, because they don't taste like hers. Can you feed this to laying hens? Thanks KV
I'm kinda new at this too. My chooks (chickens) are almost 6mos old. You really need to feed them chicken food which is a mix of corn and other ingredients - it comes in mash or pellets. They have it for the growing stage and the laying stage. I believe that they differ since the growing stage requires more protein and the laying stage more calcium. My gals are free range and I give them mash, snacks and then they eat whatever is out there in the grass or woods. As for snacks - They LOVE raisins and grapes. They'll eat most anything else. I'm told that cottage cheese is also a love of chooks. Raising chickens is an absolute delight! I can't tell you how much fun it can be. Followed by the fun of reading this forum! Colleen
There are a lot of things you can feed chickens...if left to free range, they will eat just about anything. I agree that the best eggs I've ever had are from true free range chickens. There are certain things you won't want to give them, such as anything rotten, spoiled or moldy. Potato peels are supposed to be a no-no and onion can make the eggs taste funny. I've given mine lots of different table scraps but sort of use my gut feeling...I don't usually feed them too much of any one thing, and I watch to make sure they are "digesting" everything well. Generally lots of veggies, some whole grain bread here and there, and cheerios and milk my daughter doesn't finish. Chickens are great recyclers. I keep my feeder full at all times, however, with chicken feed...you'll want to do that, as well.
I wouldn't feed it as their only ration. If they can truly free range and eat a lot of grass and bugs they can probably get what they need on top of the leftovers, but it would be best to give them layer feed and supplement that with the scraps.
Thanks for your quick reply. while I was waiting I found this, which just confirmed my suspicions. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=19243 I'm going to read the forum for a while and read, learn, etc before I jump into this. Also, I need to figure out the zoning issues. kv
KV, Just wanted to say Hi and Welcome to the forum! Doing your research before getting your chickens is the best gift you can give them! I spent 4 months researching here and other chicken forums before I ever ordered my first day-old chicks. They are almost 6 months old now and most of our girls are laying even! Dawn