HELLLLPPP!!! so i am brand new to having chickens. i am actually getting my first two on monday , i think they are silver laced wyandotte 6month olds.I have no idea how much to feed them or how often. and i would love to have some advice on making your own feed vs. just buying feed! anyway any advice would be great =)
Welcome to BYC and I feed mine free choice layer pellets, and oyster shell. I throw out scratch grain in the evening when collecting eggs for the next morning. Or fill up the drop feeder with scratch if I am going to be away for a day or two. Have Fun with your Girls.
I give mine laying crumbles (bought at the feed store) and scraps from our kitchen . I scrap any food of plates, cooking waste, etc into a bucket and bring it out in the morning. They love it! They are especially fond of pasta and ham. I also give them scratch as a treat when it's cold.
Oh, and about growing food for them - I'm going to try this this year. I am planting alfalfa, oats, millet, chickweed and purslane for the chickens to try.
I have two feeders. I put layer feed in one and chick start and grow in the other. Some of my hens prefer the layer others eat only the starter. I offer the start and grow because of its higher protein content and the layer for the calcium. I also have a little hog feeder I put oyster shell in. I don't bother with grit since I live in southern AZ and that's all we have here is dirt and rocks and my hens do just fine! Good luck with your girls! You are about to experience the best addiction of your life. Those two will turn into ten before the year is up!
