Feeding chickens only sprouts

[Kiki]

Yeah I got it from someone I bought a chicken from that I should not have, they are not stressed at all and I don’t understand how it is malnourishment it’s natural and I would be able to supplement anything I needed I could supplement vitamins, minerals, protein and calcium so I really don’t see the problem if all their needs are met

That's not what you said or implied though.
You said you want to stop feeding them layer feed and feed them sprouts only.
Sprouts only will not work.

 

[Hunter81103]

That's not what you said or implied though.
You said you want to stop feeding them layer feed and feed them sprouts only.
Sprouts only will not work.

Yeah I said sprouts and I would supplement them, chickens in the wild do not eat pre bagged feed they eat what’s in their environment and if sprouts aren’t enough then I can supplement with other things I can do insects regularly or anything I need to give them enough protein, I think you maybe need to read a little more before you get all bent about something

 

[black_cat]

Yeah I got it from someone I bought a chicken from that I should not have, they are not stressed at all and I don’t understand how it is malnourishment it’s natural and I would be able to supplement anything I needed I could supplement vitamins, minerals, protein and calcium so I really don’t see the problem if all their needs are met

Just because it's natural doesn't mean it's better. A quality layer feed has EVERYTHING that a chicken needs, and it's extremely healthy for them. It's not like for humans where a salad is natural and healthy and candy isn't natural and is unhealthy. It's like if the candy had everything in the salad PLUS all of the other vitamins, minerals, protein, calcium, nutrients, carbs, and whatever else a person needs.

 

[Kiki]

I was wondering some of your thoughts on feeding chickens only sprouts, I’m relatively new to all this, I have been giving layer feed but I wanted to switch to sprouts only and I will be providing vitamins/ minerals and oyster shells, but my question was, will my chickens continue to lay the same as on layer feed ?

I read this...your first post.
Im not bent out of shape. Just be sure you type everything that you are thinking because this clearly says sprouts only.

 

[Hunter81103]

Just because it's natural doesn't mean it's better. A quality layer feed has EVERYTHING that a chicken needs, and it's extremely healthy for them. It's not like for humans where a salad is natural and healthy and candy isn't natural and is unhealthy. It's like if the candy had everything in the salad PLUS all of the other vitamins, minerals, protein, calcium, nutrients, carbs, and whatever else a person needs.

I asked a question of if I could feed them sprouts and supplement anything else they needed if that would work, I’m not interested in a class I just wanna know what else I could supplement with it, I want mine organic and fed a more natural diet it’s a waste to buy organic feed, it was just a simple question

 

[MamaBelle5]

I think you maybe need to read a little more before you get all bent about something

Just some friendly advice here: you came to this forum asking advice. You've been given good advice for your birds and it doesn't seem to be what you wanted to hear. I get it.

But you probably shouldn't strike out at those who are willing to help you.

 

[21hens-incharge]

The science behind what goes into chicken feed is sound.
The necessary components to make a balanced feed just are not readily available to the average small flock keeper. Then there is the mixing in correct proportions and ability to store vast quantities of the mixture. Then there is nutrient degradation that happens and renders that expense and effort pointless at best and potentially deadly to the birds if spoilage occurs.


Just not worth the hassle, cost and risks. Best stick to a formulated commercial feed.

Yeah I said sprouts and I would supplement them, chickens in the wild do not eat pre bagged feed they eat what’s in their environment and if sprouts aren’t enough then I can supplement with other things I can do insects regularly or anything I need to give them enough protein, I think you maybe need to read a little more before you get all bent about something

Chickens in the wild move around A LOT finding the things they need and guaranteed it is a lot more than sprouts.
Chickens in the wild also do not lay regularly like all our domesticated birds are bred to. That breeding means dietary needs have changed.

 

[Hunter81103]

I read this...your first post.
Im not bent out of shape. Just be sure you type everything that you are thinking because this clearly says sprouts only

I read this...your first post.
Im not bent out of shape. Just be sure you type everything that you are thinking because this clearly says sprouts only.

Yes and supplementing whatever else I needed, I figured that’s I could sprout things that would be high protein as well like lentils and other things like that, trust me I’m not just gonna throw some sprouts in there and leave them I understand that they have needs and that was kinda the point of the question and I also thought that is what this website was for was questions, if I it’s too much to ask then sorry

 

[NatJ]

Is there any more natural way to go without layer feed that would be more balanced

More balanced than layer feed? No.
More balanced than sprouting a mix of grains and lentils? Maybe, but it won't be easy or cheap.

If you want the cheapest thing that is properly balanced to keep your chickens healthy, then buy layer feed, or chick starter, or grower. Offer a separate dish of oyster shell, and provide water at all times. That's the best for cheap, easy, & healthy.

The layer feed is meant to provide everything a layer needs, but the chick starter or grower will provide everything except calcium, and will have a higher level of protein than layer feed.

chickens in the wild do not eat pre bagged feed they eat what’s in their environment

Chickens in the wild don't lay as many eggs, either.
Since most domesticated chickens have been bred to lay more eggs, they have different nutritional needs than the wild chickens.

Also, wild chickens would be able to forage over a much larger area than people usually provide for their domestic chickens.

If you really want to have healthy chickens without purchasing a bag of "chicken feed," you could try something like:
--buy 1 acre of land per chicken
--have grass & weeds on 1/3 of that land
--have forest on 1/2 of that land
--have a giant compost pile with lots of bugs & worms on the remaining 1/6 of that land
--provide water, oyster shell, and mixed grains
--no winter
--no predators

I haven't actually tried this, so you might need a slightly different amount of land, but I think that's about what it would take. The "no predators" part would probably be difficult to arrange, and winter would probably require supplemental feed in most areas, because there is less for the chickens to forage, even if it's not buried under snow.

 

[black_cat]

I asked a question of if I could feed them sprouts and supplement anything else they needed if that would work, I’m not interested in a class I just wanna know what else I could supplement with it, I want mine organic and fed a more natural diet it’s a waste to buy organic feed, it was just a simple question

If buying organic feed is a waste, then buying every single thing that you need for your chickens to have a balanced diet is not for you, because it will be at least twice as expensive. In addition to it being very difficult to properly manage that kind of diet, chickens will pick and choose their favorites and not get enough of everything else. That's why everything in processed layer feed is mashed together.