chick feed substatutes

[missychicky]

well yeah but there are prairy chickens and such.

 

[Whitney13]

I would start them out on chick starter for the first couple of weeks and then you can switch them to free range if they are with a hen that can teach them what to eat and what not to eat but they will still need some chick starter until they get old enough to eat what you are feeding your other chickens. The wild chickens and such were taught from the time they were born what to eat and what not to eat. The chickens we have today have become dependent on humans to get certain nutrients that they need and they no longer know how to find it on their own. That is why most people who free range their chickens still feed them a little extra to ensure they are getting everything they need. If you buy a small thing of chick starter then they will definatly eat it up. I had an EE that I raised by herself in the house and I started out with only 5lb. bag of chick starter and that was gone in about three weeks so I am pretty sure they can eat it all and you won't waste any money. You can figure out how to make your own chick starter with a lot of work but it will probably cost more than buying it and it will probably be a total pain to make, kind of like when I decided to make my own dog food it was a huge stinky, messy, expensive disaster.

I ended up spending more on one weeks worth of food than I had been spending on one months worth of food. If you still want to figure out an alternative chick starter just message me and I will help you figure out all the nutritional stuff.

 

[write2caroline]

You could probably grind some oats and corn meal, hard boiled egg and some greens each day. maybe 1/4 cup per chick. It probably won't keep long so you will have to offer it too them many times during the day. Your main concern is getting them enough protein to grow. They are making feathers that also takes a lot of protein. Farmers have been raising chicks for centuries without purchased feed. The purchase feed has many advantages and if you feel like you don't want to purchase food that is fine. Are they with their mother hen because she will have them trail her and they will eat most everything she eats or are you keeping them in a brooder? You will need a lot of grains and grit the fat content is important too. Of course you can raise them without purchased food and you probably won't mind the work. There is no rule that you need to purchase chick feed. Chickens are foragers and will find lots of things to eat, frogs, lizards, worms, berries....they search all day long.

I tried feeding mine organic chick feed - It came full of worms and then it molded within a week.
No preservatives.

Now I just buy it in the small bags. Purena Chick starter
That is my choice but I will respect your choice.

Caroline