Confused.....

[blckbrnfamly]

I have had my chickens for almost five months now, they were tiny chicks when I got them.. I was also given 'plenty' of food for chicks... but now they have grown up a little,
I have asked several people if you need to inhance their diet for their growing changes after a while..
I am unclear as what to feed them, pellets, scratch or I have even heard cracked corn.

Did I mention I'm pretty new to raising chickens?

Any advice is appreciated!! Thank you, Courtney

 

[Matt A NC]

At 5 months old I would start switching them over to the a Layer Feed. I prefer Pellets. They make a mess with crumbles and alot gets wasted. Once you get that first egg start providing a feeder/pan of Oyster shells for calcium.

During the winter I mix some corn into the feed. The add calories helps keep them warm. I wouldn't add more then 25% corn. When its hot I just toss a handful of corn out from time to time as a treat. My birds also get Sunflower seeds sometimes. Especially when they are molting. Do not add it to the feed, they will rake out all the feed to try and find another sunflower seed.

Matt

 

[blckbrnfamly]

Thanks Matt!!

 

[blckbrnfamly]

Thanks Matt!!

 

[fordmommy]

from Wisconsin.

I mixed my feed when I switched them. Sometimes chickens hate change and just won't eat the new stuff.

 

[Chris09]

blckbrnfamly:

I keep my birds on starter/grower till I get the first egg from them.. When I get that first egg then I switch to a layer....

My Large Fowl Rhode Island Reds take a long time to mature even on a full feed of 22% protein starter/grower.

Chris

 

[kathyinmo]

Yes, it is time for them to have Layer feed. It comes in crumbles (all crumbled up) or pellets (less messy). This should be 90 - 95% of their diet, to be nutritionally sound. The other 5 - 10% can be healthy treats. Also offered free choice, should be oyster shells and granite grit. I use a little kitty dish (double sided) and put one in each side. They know when they need it, and it doesn't go to waste.




Thread closed at request of the OP.