Dry Feed or Wet Feed?

[htybanez]

I'm new to breeding backyard chickens. I'm feeding my chickens with commercial feeds? Since I don't have the luxury of having a big ground for them to roam around I enclosed them (5 chickens) in a coop. Id like to ask which is better to feed them, dry feeds or wet feeds? Suggestions, replies are very much appreciated.

 

[gander007]

Alright

great to have you joining the BYC flock

BYC has a very useful learning center

Wet feed has it's perks one being the wind won't steel it .

It slides down easer

Less waste

The body absorbs the vitamins easer

Chickens also like a warm meal in the winter

Takes a little bit longer to make

gander007

 

[drumstick diva]

whatever your birds prefer - if you do serve wet make sure leftovers or spilled feed is NOT allowed to lay around long enough to get moldy. Mold can kill birds quickly.

 

[htybanez]

thanks to both of you.

 

[Sjisty]

Dry feed is easier, but there's more waste. In my experience, they absolutely love wet food - they eat it like candy! Just make sure you only give them enough for the day, though. That way it won't be around long enough to get moldy.

 

[tniron]

If you want to try wet feed why not fermented feed. You can take for example layer crumbles and soak them in water. You let them set where air can get to them and in a few days you will see bubbles from the fermentation process. If you add a few ounces of unpasteurized apple cider vinegar with the mother it will speed up the process and provide the proper type of fermentation. Look at the threads for fermenting feed on this site if you want more info.

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

Yes, dry food is easier, but they adore wet feed. Just make sure to only put out what they will eat that day as wet feed can grow bacteria. Fermenting feed is an option as well. Many people swear by fermented feed. Here is the link to our Feeding Your Flock forums. Take a look around, post if you need to and maybe some one can help you more there...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/12/feeding-watering-your-flock

So glad you could join our community and welcome to our flock!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Some good points above, if you haven't seen it, there a nice chicken treat chart in the Learning Center, you can supplement their diet with various things if they can't free range https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/chicken-treat-chart-the-best-treats-for-backyard-chickens

 

[tniron]

Welcome to BYC!

Yes, dry food is easier, but they adore wet feed. Just make sure to only put out what they will eat that day as wet feed can grow bacteria. Fermenting feed is an option as well. Many people swear by fermented feed. Here is the link to our Feeding Your Flock forums. Take a look around, post if you need to and maybe some one can help you more there...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/12/feeding-watering-your-flock

So glad you could join our community and welcome to our flock!

Properly fermented feed should produce good bacteria that is beneficial to the bird's digestive system. In my experience the birds eat less, waste less, drink less and have less poop. They look healthier as well.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/644300/fermenting-feed-for-meat-birds