Correct feed?

[Golden Brahma 64]

http://articles.extension.org/pages/69065/feeding-chickens-for-egg-production

Is this a good diet for chickens?
_____________________________
Adult chickens:
~ Scratch feed (which I’ve heard is like candy to chickens)
~Laying pellets/mash
~ Bread
~free ranging

Baby chicks:
~non-medicated organic starter/grower
~ chick grit
Thanks!

I agree with @KikisGirls
I thought by scratch feed you meant the ‘seed cube’ chicken treat.

 

[HuffleClaw]

http://articles.extension.org/pages/69065/feeding-chickens-for-egg-production

Thanks Kiki!! Then no more bread or scratch feed!

 

[Kiki]

Thanks Kiki!! Then no more bread or scratch feed!

Too many snacks = fat.
Fat chickens have problems and die sooner.

 

[HuffleClaw]

Too many snacks = fat.
Fat chickens have problems and die sooner.

Thanks!

 

[HuffleClaw]

That was a very good article Kiki!! Thanks again!

 

[Fishkeeper]

A little bit of bread is perfectly fine. If you want healthier treats, try veggies and fruit. It's good for chickens to have occasional novel foods, it's good enrichment for them. In other words, feed them treats! They like it. It occupies their little brains.

 

[Golden Brahma 64]

Adult chickens:
Scratch feed (which I’ve heard is like candy to chickens): NO
~Laying pellets/mash: YES
~ Bread:YES, but only in small amounts
~free ranging: MOST DEFINITELY YES !

 

[lazy gardener]

Agreed with Kiki. Bread has no place in a chicken diet, unless it's a rare piece of stale bread, or a bit of crust, given once in a blue moon.

Scratch grains: I use them for training purposes, never part of a daily diet.

Laying pellets or crumble: should make up almost all of their diet.

Free range, garden veggies, weeds make wonderful additions to their diet.

Other dietary aids: Poultry Nutri Drench. Scrambled egg and a plug of sod are offered to all of my chicks. Grit for chicks and adults. Oyster shell and recycled egg shell offered free choice to adults.

 

[HuffleClaw]

Thanks so much everyone!!!

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

Oh, gosh..... scratch is perfectly fine. I give scratch to mine all the time and they are as healthy as can be, full of color and energy!