feed questio, what is what???

[edmcm2000]

So, I've heard of chick starter, mash, start and grow, scratch, crumbles, layer feed, and probably others. Can someone clarify just what is available and what they all are all about? Thanks, Edmcm (7 EE's, one with serious crossed beak, about 6 weeks old)

 

[RendonRoo]

It kinda depends on what your local stores carry. I use purina start and grow medicated crumbles. I'm on my second batch of chicks and they seem to love it. The crumbles are small so they can eat them from the start. I will change to layer crumbles as soon as i get my first egg. As far as the other kinds of feed i have no experience so i hope someone else can help you with those. Good Luck and welcome to BYC....home of the chicken obsessed.

 

[chickensioux]

chick starter and med. starter is for babies until they fully feather out. Laying crumbles and pellets are the same feed, just look different. Some people like to feed crumbles which is crumbled up or pellets which come in a pellet form. These feeds are what you should be feeding your chickens for good growth and laying from hatch until....
Scratch is cracked corn and other grains. This is given is small amounts for a snack and has no nutritional value.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

Mash, crumbles and pellets are the form the food comes in. Mash is very fine. Crumbles are small enough for chicks to eat, although adult chickens can eat it, too. Pellets are large and only the adults eat it. Chickens seem to waste less with pellets.

Starter, grower, start and grow and layer are different recipe formulations. Young chicks can eat either starter or start and grow. These foods have more protein in it, than food for an adult chicken, since fast growing chicks need more protein. Sometimes people switch chicks on starter to grower, part way through their growing period. Layer is for adult hens that are laying and has more calcium in it, to make egg shells.

Most often, you see chick starter or start and grow as crumbles. Layer commonly comes as either crumbles or pellets.

There are also whole grain or cracked grain feeds that are mixed up by feed mills or individuals that have the courser grain and a protein source, mixed with a powdery vitamin and mineral supplement.

Scratch is plain grains that are tossed out for chickens to scratch at and eat. It's not a complete diet and is lacking proteins, vitamins and minerals. It's usually cracked corn with various other grains or seeds mixed in. The combination used seems to vary by region.

 

[terri9630]

So you would use the layer feed for the hens you're keeping for eggs, but what is best for the ones your planning to butcher?

 

[RendonRoo]

There is a special food for meat birds but you don't want your egg layers to eat it. I have 6 peanuts that i got for free. I'm just feeding them grower crumbles with the others. They won't get as big and fat but that's ok by me.