Best Feed for Hens Producing Chicks

[ameraucanaluv98]

Hello! So I have hatched 6 chicks while I have had my incubator and I was wondering... how greatly does the feed that goes into the hens affect the health and strength of the baby chicks they produce? Probably a lot. In order to get healthy chicks, you should probably feed the mothers the best feed to do that. So I was wondering what the best feed would be and if I should add different supplements to the girls' diet. I have been feeding them Dumor since they were chicks but recently just bought them the Agway brand and they seem to like it. Thanks!

P.S. - I hatched baby chicks at my Ag center a couple days ago, this one is Clarice! Already caking on the eyeliner lol. (Sorry the picture is kinda blurry).

 

[Mountain Peeps]

I don't think the hens need a specific feed. Just the ordinary layer feed along with calcium.

Cute chick btw!

 

[dazookeyper]

what kind of chick? Just curious, don't think feed brand matters all that much

 

[ameraucanaluv98]

Ok thank you both! And she's an easter egger. Actually thinking it's a Clarence now... can post pictures later.

 

[Chris09]

how greatly does the feed that goes into the hens affect the health and strength of the baby chicks they produce? Probably a lot. In order to get healthy chicks, you should probably feed the mothers the best feed to do that. So I was wondering what the best feed would be and if I should add different supplements to the girls' diet.

When feeding breeding fowl you need to take inconsideration the nutritional need of both the hen and the rooster, if you feed them good you will have good healthy chicks. A regular Layer feed isn't going to cut it if your looking for a good hatch rate, healthy parent stock and healthy chicks.

Breeders need a good feed with added proteins (18% or better) some added vitamin and should not contain the high amounts of calcium that a layer type feed has. (roosters can not expel extra calcium like a laying hen can). The easiest way to achieve this is to feed a breeder designed feed (links below), it contains everything you breeding stock is going to need. If you cant find a breeder feed in your area you can put you bird on a starter/grower feed and add a vitamin mix in there water (I like rooster booster poultry cell) and spritz there feed lightly with olive oil (or soak black oil sunflower seeds for two day and feed liquid and seeds at about a half a hand full a day).

http://www.buckeyenutrition.com/other-feeds/poultry.aspx
http://www.mazuri.com/mazuriexoticgamebirdbreeder.aspx (This is what I feed)
http://www.sportsmanschoicefeeds.com/scf/en/products/gamebird/breeder/index.jsp
http://www.primequalityfeeds.com/feeds/poultry_gtf_GBreed.shtml

 

[Folly's place]

You can also feed a game bird breeder feed; it will have more protein and some animal protein. Mary