Chicken Feed PLEASE HELP!

[team_realtree]

Im new to feeding chickens and need this broken down very simply.
What commericial chicken feed is avialable and what is it called. I know there is "scratch" which I think is cracked corn and grains. Is that their basic food? On top of that you give them treats and let them eat grass? Is there OTHER commericial foods you buy for them???

 

[team_realtree]

Ok so i read that scrath should only be fed in cold wheather??????? What is BASIC chicken feed. The staple of their diet? Pellets???

 

[Sillystunt]

how old are the chicks? Are they hens?
My chicks eat non medicated starter crumbles
my hens(first egg comes around 6-8 months according to the breed) i use layer pellets

Purina makes good feed~
Scratch is like a treat, you need starter for the lil ones because it's formulated for them. Layer has oyster shells in it for laying good eggs

There is a sticky in feeding that lists poisionous treats and plants
I give mine yogurt with crumbles, grapes cut in half, broccolli, carrot shavings, and other veggies
stay away from banana's some believe it can kill them.
Grass cuttings can get stuck in their crop if to long, chicks i don't give it to them but they can free range and eat grass on their own. they take smaller pieces.

Hope that helped~

 

[team_realtree]

I don't have any yet im trying to get as much info as i can. So for chicks i have read that crumbles are best because they then wont need grit. Are crumbles the same as chick starter food? So layer pellets are the "staple" of your hens diet? Meaning that is the only commericial feed you buy along with your veggies and treats you give them?

 

[trilyn]

Hi there! Well I feed Blue Seal feeds and I love it. If you're in the northeast it is called Blue Seal, in the west it is called Kent. I am including the link to their page which has a feeding/age chart on it. I hope this gives you somewhere to start. I happen to follow this personally. Good luck!

http://www.blueseal.com/livestock/poultry/feedprg.php

 

[team_realtree]

Here is what I understand so far please correct me if im wrong. All diets will include fresh vegetables and treats.

Chicks-(0-8 weeks)- Chick starter (crumbles no grit)

8 weeks- Maturity- Grower Feed (with grit)

Maturity- Layer pellets???


Im not sure if this is ALL you feed or a portion. Also does chick starter come in a crumble form? And if not is it a requiremnt to feed them grit?

 

[Sillystunt]

mash is like dust almost, crumbles has texture and pellets are like pellets....lol I find crumbles for chicks works great and when they get older(hens) they can swallow the pellets. What's important is wether it's starter formula or layer formula

So once again , how old are your chickens?
Leave the commerical feed alone, step away from the bag....LOL

So now the question is medicated starter or non? If your chicks are not vaccanated get medicated. if they are get non~

I would't use grower unless you got meat chickens. i never used it just went right to layer from starter

 

[team_realtree]

Quote:
I don't have chicks yet but i will be getting some day old ones.

So for my day old chicks i could feed them medicated mash? With that do they need grit?

 

[Sillystunt]

Quote:
Grit when older, but i live in florida and never use it! yes, crumble starter!!
I give mine treats once a week, other then that they forage on bugs and grass

 

[team_realtree]

ok thanks so much!! So at what age do I transfer to layer pellets? And is that the same time i start providing grit?