All Around Feed?

[Mr Kingsbury]

The end of last summer a bantam rooster and his companion, a game hen, wandered in. They were left behind by folks down the road when they moved; they couldn't catch the chickens is my guess.

We never planned on having chickens (the Wife is allergic to eating the meat and the eggs), but they did help with our Japanese beetle problem. We figure any critter that's willing to work for their bread and board is definitely welcome here. Plus, the Wife and I both have that floating sign above our head that claims we'll take in any animal that needs a home.

The feller at the local hardware/lumber/feed store said that 3 grain scratch would do them fine; I now figure that he was willing to say any ol' thing just to get me out of his ear.

From what I can gather, scratch is a treat (and one to be used less during the heat of summer?). They are free-range, but here in the highlands of Virginia they need something more to help out when it's cold and the bugs are lean. The chickens will never be eaten, at least not by us, we're not encouraging the hen to give us chicks, and we do not have the means to feed them separately. Eggs would be nice though, for me.

Is there an all-around general feed that both can eat? Also, at least until we get our next check, is there anything we can give them (veggies and such) to hold them over fer a couple weeks?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You can feed either an All Flock or flock raiser ration, or a non medicated chick starter year round. Offer a separate bowl of oyster shells for the calcium needs.

When short of money they can live on grains like corn, oats, seeds. Not exactly balanced but they should be okay short term. You can also offer many left overs, or stale foods that you won't eat or can't finish. My chickens get a variety of stuff here and there.

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

What are some things you do have? For a short time they could eat many things, and they've already been on their own for a while. When you can buy a bag of All Flock feed or a Layer feed. Right now do you have cat food, dog food, whole grain cereal, carrots you can shred up, etc

 

[Fluffyflufffluff]

The end of last summer a bantam rooster and his companion, a game hen, wandered in. They were left behind by folks down the road when they moved; they couldn't catch the chickens is my guess.

We never planned on having chickens (the Wife is allergic to eating the meat and the eggs), but they did help with our Japanese beetle problem. We figure any critter that's willing to work for their bread and board is definitely welcome here. Plus, the Wife and I both have that floating sign above our head that claims we'll take in any animal that needs a home.

The feller at the local hardware/lumber/feed store said that 3 grain scratch would do them fine; I now figure that he was willing to say any ol' thing just to get me out of his ear.

From what I can gather, scratch is a treat (and one to be used less during the heat of summer?). They are free-range, but here in the highlands of Virginia they need something more to help out when it's cold and the bugs are lean. The chickens will never be eaten, at least not by us, we're not encouraging the hen to give us chicks, and we do not have the means to feed them separately. Eggs would be nice though, for me.

Is there an all-around general feed that both can eat? Also, at least until we get our next check, is there anything we can give them (veggies and such) to hold them over fer a couple weeks?

Selecting fruits, vegetables and grains will keep chickens happy and ensure that they receive a nutritionally balanced diet. Good choices include leafy greens, cooked beans, corn, non-sugar cereals and grains, berries, apples, and most other fruits and vegetables.

 

[BloomBunny]

If you compost, chickens can speed up the compost while getting nutrition from the bugs, worms, etc. that grow in it.

 

[GC-Raptor]

The end of last summer a bantam rooster and his companion, a game hen, wandered in.

Is there an all-around general feed that both can eat?

For only a Roo and a hen, I would get a small bag (10/15 lbs of a Non-Medicated Starter-Grower or a All-Flock / Flock Raiser feed with 18 to 20% Protein.
I would also get a small bag 5 lbs of Oyster Shells, and a 5 lb bag of Poultry Grit if you don't have rocky soil.
Offer each one in a separate container protected from weather.
The Scratch Grains can be tossed on the ground as a treat daily, up to a Tablespoon for each Bantam.

Eggs would be nice though, for me.

If you want eggs, provide a safe place out of the weather, about the size of a square foot cube with straw or pine shavings. GC

 

[Painted Calls]

Hello fellow Virginian! I haven't been over to Highland in quite some time. Have in-laws in McDowell.

Just like all that came before me, I will also suggest Flock Raiser. Next time you come down out of the Highlands, go over to TSC and grab you a bag. You can get a 50lb bag for $17 and some change. That will last your two birds forever. Plus it will give you a reason to get more birds.

Enjoy your birds!

 

[GC-Raptor]

You can get a 50lb bag for $17 and some change. That will last your two birds forever.

A complete chicken feed is perishable. It's fortified with oil based vitamins (A, D, E and K), and has oil added.
I had feed go bad just 5 months past mill date. It was stored at room temperature in my house in original bag.
That's why I recommended a small bag for just two chickens.
Flock Raiser is available in a small bag. GC

 

[Painted Calls]

A complete chicken feed is perishable. It's fortified with oil based vitamins (A, D, E and K), and has oil added.
I had feed go bad just 5 months past mill date. It was stored at room temperature in my house in original bag.
That's why I recommended a small bag for just two chickens.
Flock Raiser is available in a small bag. GC

I was trying to be an enabler for more birds.

Yes, the small bag would be best for just the two. I've never had a 50lb bag last me 5 months though. Even at a time when I had just two.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I was trying to be an enabler for more birds.

Yes, the small bag would be best for just the two. I've never had a 50lb bag last me 5 months though. Even at a time when I had just two.

I bought two 40 lb bags. They were already two months past mill date when I purchased them.
I only had 5 hens at the time.
I didn't even open the second bag when the first got a harsh smell and consumption and egg laying dropped off.
I checked the second bag and it also was bad.

Now I check mill dates when I'm at the store and only buy enough feed to use within 2 months. GC