Chicken Feed?

[Maya Vance]

Hi guys, I'm getting chicks this April, but I am one of those super-prepared organization geeks so..............................

I was wondering what the best food for hens is. I would prefer less than $20...........

 

[Brahmachicken240]

Chick starter till they’re 12 weeks old, chick grower till they’re laying then layers mash.
That’s how I feed my hens

 

[Brahmachicken240]

I also feed them oyster shell in a separate dish, mine are also all free range

 

[MTP55]

Do you live in an area with a feed elevator? Sometimes they will carry name brand feed at a discounted price and their own mixes. We started all ours on purina start and grow for 18 weeks then to the local elevators layer mash. But we live in a very farm oriented place.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I feed Purina medicated Start & Grow feed for 10 weeks then switch to Non-Medicated Purina Start & Grow, or Nutrena Naturewise Starter Grower or Purina Flock Raiser.
I feed any of the 3 Non-Medicated feeds throughout adulthood, whichever is fresher when I'm at TSC, with Oyster Shells separately and Poultry Grit separately.
These are the cheapest quality feeds with Prebiotics and Probiotics available at my local Tractor Supply Co. All are less than $19 bucks for a 50# bag at my local TSC. GC
ETA; I don't feed a 16% Layers feed, because my Golden Comets feather picked when I switched to a 16% Protein feed.

 

[RoosterML]

Under $20 for a quality feed should not be a problem, first I would find out who sells chicken feed in your area.
Pay them a visit and find out what they stock. Check out the mill date on the bag. Mill date is usually on the flap at one end or the other of the bag. For example 8256. The 8 represents 2018 and 256 is the number of days into that year. You would want to stay within 60 days of the current day for freshness. If old stuff just say thank you and walk away.
Different foods for different stages of life most of which is all detailed on the bag.

 

[Maya Vance]

Thanks for all your comments!
I found a nearby feed store that can sell me cheap feed.
Thanks again, Maya