Best food

[BeccaNS]

My girls are 9 weeks old, they are eating their starter food. They also get to free range some when we are out with them. We feed them lots of bread and veggies. What else should I be feeding them and when do I change them to adult food?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would go easy on the bread, it's not a healthy treat for them. You have lots of feeding options. You can keep them on a non medicated grower, you can switch to an All Flock, both of these are my preferences, or you can switch to a layer after all are laying. I personally just put out a separate bowl of oyster shells when they are about 4 months and I switch to an All Flock around there. I prefer a higher protein, and to allow my hen to consume extra calcium as needed.

 

[prinellie]

I go easy on the treats. I use treats to train them to come when I call. I use black oil sunflower or dried grubs. Make sure you check online about the veggies you use - some aren't good for chickens like apples and potatoes... but some give them anything and get along fine. I switch to a grower/layer mix ( I mix it) at 20 weeks. I use a feed from Scratch and Peck feeds because they have non-gmo and no soy feed. A bit more expensive but you can get it thru a place called Azure Standard and it's a bit cheaper. We don't feed any gmo or soy to our chickens. We feed no gmo to our Jersey cows either. Just personal preference

Good luck!!

 

[aart]

Agrees go easy on the treats.....
....and make sure they have an appropriately sized granite grit for digestion.
http://www.jupefeeds-sa.com/documents/GraniteGrit.pdf

 

[BeccaNS]

Any healthy treats we can feed? My girls are already so spoiled, they have not been thrilled with me cutting back on the bread. They follow us around the yard and anytime we come out they come running for their treats

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Berries, watermelon, lettuce, spinach, and scrambled eggs to name a few.

 

[BeccaNS]

Thanks. They love watermelon but not huge fans of the rest

 

[happybooker1]

Dried raisins or cranberries. Cheerios (in moderation). Dried mealworms (they'll forget ALL about the bread for these!). Mine used to eat string cheese strings like worms -- I'd just tear off MINISCULE strands.