Am I feeding my chickens right?

[thiebert]

I current own 2 silkie hens, 1 silkie rooster & 10 chicks. What I was wondering is if I'm feeding them right? My silkies are in a separate coop and I feed them layer feed, grass bread & fresh veggies. As for my chicks I feed them medicated feed, veggies, bread & grass. Is there anything else I should be feeding them to keep up with there nutrition? Also, should I be adding a gravel bed to there coops to keep there gizzards healthy? I'm new to this so I would sure appreciate the help

 

[Den in Penn]

Whether you are feeding them right depends on how much of the bread, vegetables and grass you are giving them. Remember they are omnivores. They need at least 15% protein in their diet and none of those have that level. That need for a balanced diet is more important with the chicks growing bodies. With chicks, I normally don't feed anything but starter until they are at least six weeks.

 

[thiebert]

My chicks are 8 weeks old. The ag store told me to feed them a medicated starter until they are 20 weeks. What else should I be giving my birds for protein? I'm referring to both my chicks and my hens & rooster?

 

[thiebert]

So basically I lay off of the bread and veggies? I've been feeding them pumpkin & zucchini and they gobble it up like nothing.. lol

 

[Egghead_Jr]

My birds are outside foraging at that age. I might give them a worm or two when digging in garden but basically let the feed I purchased for them do the work of nutrition. My laying age flock gets garden and kitchen/refrigerator culls.

You can use medicated until that late age but it does cost about a dollar more per 50lbs bag. I'd switch to unmedicated at 12 weeks or so or even go to an all flock type feed that can be in pellet form. Turkey finisher is a great "all flock" feed that's same protein level as starters and in pellet form for less waste. This way when they are laying age all you need to do is toss some oyster shell in the run once a week.

 

[Den in Penn]

The amount of vegetables "treats" shouldn't exceed 10%of their diet. More then that and you will start to unbalance the diet. A higher protein then the minimum protein feed can allow you a freer hand in what lower foods they get.