Feed

[ChickenGirl3]

Hi Everyone,
I'm getting a new bird to my little flock, Black Australorp, and I have been feeding my bird scratch mixed with laying feed. I know now that was a very bad choice, since scratch is only for a treat, and your birds get fat. I was wondering what feed I should feed them like...... just Laying feed or a mix of Laying feed and chick start (heard it has more grit). I really need to go to the feed store I ran out of laying feed. My chics are hungary for feed

! I've fed them bread and rice ever since it ran out (5 days ago) , they love rice

!

Thanks Everyone

 

[kfchickenlady]

I read here that scratch made them fat too, so I feed half scratch and half layer pellets mixed during the winter to keep them warm. Seems to be working, they are laying pretty well and are all healthy.

 

[ChickenGirl3]

Quote:
I did that for a while but I've been feeding them that ever since I've gotten them(2 months ago) I don't want them to get fat. My Dominique is already fat, a little. What do you feed you hens in the spring and summer?

 

[kfchickenlady]

I give them laying pellets (so they dont waste feed) and either let them free range or give them greens and kitchen scraps. Oh, I also give them sweet cob that I put in a large dog dish, pour boiling water over and let steep...their morning hot cereal, they love it on very cold mornings...

 

[ChickenGirl3]

Quote:
Cute, I give my chickens oatmeal love it but gives them diarrhea

!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Fat hens can cause laying problems, we should try to keep our hens especially at a good weight without excess fat to ensure they have no problems.