Best Feed Regimen?

[OkieB]

I am looking for input into what everyone feeds their flock. I want mine to be healthy and have all the necessary vitamins and minerals that they need. I have been told several different ways and things to feed. I'm gonna list what I feed, feel free to add take away or correct me regimen. Thanks in advance!

Flock consists of 45 hens and pullets. Ages 4 months to 1 1/2 years.

Always available:

Purina Layena Crumbles
Oyster Shells
Purina Flock Raiser Pellets (Flock really doesn't care for these, so I rarely have to refill).

Once a day:

Some Dumor Hen Scratch. I generally sprinkle just enough for them to clean it all up with 20-30 minutes.

4 - 5 times per week:

Mealworms and Sunflower Hearts

Once per week:

Suet Blocks (Any flavor)

Occasionally:

Yogurt
English Peas
Carrots
Apples
Boiled Eggs
Lettuce
Cabbage
Crumbled Bread
Flock Block

 

[karissapaul]

I put my food out at 7:30 and then again at 5:30

 

[karissapaul]

feed them two pieces of bread each day in summer and table scraps they love table scraps. ONLY Veggies and fruits

 

[karissapaul]

treats are for whenever you are happy lol

 

[OkieB]

Awesome. Also they free range in my large back yard... so Bermuda Grass, Weeds, Bugs are at their mercy.

 

[Serenityintheverse]

Good Morning! I too am looking in to what brand and type of feed to give to my birds. They were hatched 5/8 roughly and I'll be picking them up in a couple of weeks. As I have read so much on this subject and read many threads here, I have noticed there are many ways to feed a chicken

My birds will be approximately 5-6 weeks old when I pick them up...So I am in need of some help. Do I keep them on starter feed until 8 weeks? What is the best brand? I prefer organic if possible. After 8 weeks, do I switch to layer feed?

With so much advice out there it can be a little overwhelming. What other nutritional supplements will I need to ensure good health? Scratch? Oyster Shells?

I will be speaking with the beautiful people who are raising my birds atm, but any thoughts would be appreciated. I just want healthy happy birds

Thanking you all in advance for your suggestions. This newbie chic is grateful.

Serenity

 

[cholland]

I buy my feed from a nearby organic mill, Modesto Milling. Costs a little more but that's my preference.

My chickens are fenced in a pretty large run, have plenty of room, but still have managed to eat just about everything in there. The get most yard trimmings and kitchen scraps, but are mostly eating the feed, always available free choice.
I have a rooster or two and different aged hens/pullets, so I don't use a layer feed. I always have oyster shell available.

I feed a game bird blend because it a little higher protein and a good choice for a mixed flock. It used to be a whole grain but now comes in pellet/crumble form. I use starter/grower with chicks of course.

I keep a 3 gallon bucket of fermented feed going and give them a ration of that in a trough every morning. I toss a handful or two of scratch out in the yard in the afternoon, depending on whatever else got tossed to the chickens that day.

Chickens don't like change, stick with one brand/blend if you can. Don't be too concerned about when to switch from grower to layer, just make sure there is oyster shell available if some are laying. You can always feed grower or all flock that way. If you have roosters or non-layers you don't really want to feed layer because it gives too much calcium.

Look at the ingredients on the feed bag.
Starter/grower should have 20-22% protien.
Layer or maintenance feed is usually 16-18% protien.
Layer should have at least 3-4% calcium, and non layer is usually 1-2%.
Don't give too many treats/scratch, etc. it can mess with their protien balance. But I don't hold back on leftover veggies, greens, yard waste much. Chickens love a compost pile. Find a list of things chickens shouldn't eat. Put together a chicken first aid kit, before you need it.

 

[Serenityintheverse]

Thank you @cholland
most excellent!!
Serentity

 

[Flamens Farm]

I feed mine 20% protein laying pellets and a gamecock seed mixture. I mix the (2) 50 lb bags together. They will eat the gamecock seeds first and the pellets later. Of course, they have a hanging basket that cabbage goes in and I give them whatever veggie scraps are available. All scraps from the garden also. All bread that is on its expiration date. We do not throw any leftover food away, I have 2 kitchen buckets that scraps go in, one for chickens and one for cats and dogs! I have 27 adult chickens, 5 turkeys, 2 adult mallard ducks and 3 adult guineas, I just hatched out 20 chicks, 2 guineas and bought a male mallard baby. I also have 4 dogs and 15 cats. We live in the woods on 12 acres of our own land connected to 40 acres of family land. Love my chicks!

 

[Serenityintheverse]

I feed mine 20% protein laying pellets and a gamecock seed mixture. I mix the (2) 50 lb bags together. They will eat the gamecock seeds first and the pellets later. Of course, they have a hanging basket that cabbage goes in and I give them whatever veggie scraps are available. All scraps from the garden also. All bread that is on its expiration date. We do not throw any leftover food away, I have 2 kitchen buckets that scraps go in, one for chickens and one for cats and dogs! I have 27 adult chickens, 5 turkeys, 2 adult mallard ducks and 3 adult guineas, I just hatched out 20 chicks, 2 guineas and bought a male mallard baby. I also have 4 dogs and 15 cats. We live in the woods on 12 acres of our own land connected to 40 acres of family land. Love my chicks!

Sounds like you have quite a collection of critters~ Thank you for sharing your feed regimen
Serenity