Feeding chickens

[Loverexnchicks]

Hi, I’m a new chicken owner. I have 2 chickens that recently started laying eggs, a blue cuckoo maran (?) and a Australorp (?) I got them both at tractor supply when they were chicks and I’m not sure what breed they actually are. They’re both 5 months old. I also have 5 light brahmas (4 months old). Currently they are all fed layer feed mixed with grain scratch, I also add chili seeds and a bit of minced garlic from time to time. They’re free range and usually eat my banana leaves as well as other plants, critters, and kitchen scraps. Is this good enough? Any tips? I want the best for them.

 

[nuthatched]

Feed a nice layer that atleast 18% protein.
Don't mix in the scratch, it's junk food, best as a small hand full every other day or just to get them inside.
No garlic, no chili seeds (both do more harm than good, and limit the scraps.
Enjoy your birds!

 

[StinkyAcres]

The layer feed is fine for when they are laying. When it comes time for them to molt, getting a feed with higher protein (18-20%) and less calcium is a good idea (all flock or unmedicated chick starter are good). And don't forget to offer grit and crushed oyster shell free choice in separate containers just in case they need it.

I would not mix scratch with the feed. Scratch is like chicken candy. They will pick out the tasty bits and leave the feed that they actually need. Scratch should be a treat only. It can be used as a reward for coming to you or going into the coop but they shouldn't get more than a handful a day.

Edit: @nuthatched beat me!

 

[nuthatched]

The layer feed is fine for when they are laying. When it comes time for them to molt, getting a feed with higher protein (18-20%) and less calcium is a good idea (all flock or unmedicated chick starter are good). And don't forget to offer grit and crushed oyster shell free choice in separate containers just in case they need it.

I would not mix scratch with the feed. Scratch is like chicken candy. They will pick out the tasty bits and leave the feed that they actually need. Scratch should be a treat only. It can be used as a reward for coming to you or going into the coop but they shouldn't get more than a handful a day.

Edit: @nuthatched beat me!

But you are much more thorough.

 

[Al Gerhart]

Two excellent replies. Be very careful about taking advice, so much crap advice which is likely where you thought scratch was a good idea and spices were needed. Just keep the feed in front of them 24/7 and use the balanced commercial rations and small amounts of kitchen scraps so as to not upset the balanced ration they should be eating.

If you hear something that sounds good research and see if the commercial flocks are doing it. If not, best not to do it.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I agree with most of the above, except you can remove the feed at night. The chickens don't eat or drink at night and it wil keep rodents out of your feed if you can keep it in a safe place at night.

You can also feed an all-flock or grower formula with a higher protein and no calcium, and offer oyster shell in a separate container, those that need it because they are actively laying will help themselves. Why pay for calcium in the feed unless they actually need it? Non-laying birds (old, young, males, broodies, and molting) don't need it.

 

[Al Gerhart]

That advice would work IF you are diligent enough to bring in the feed before dark and have the feed in the coop a half hour before sunrise and do so every day of the year. Chickens need feed when they wake up and come down from the roost and they need to know that the feed will always be there so they don't become protective of the feeder and increase fighting.

Doing so will NOT stop the rodents from stealing feed, it just teaches the rodents to eat during daylight hours.

I need to look around and find a different source of feed though after reading your post. Around here they charge the same for grower or all flock and layer feed. Only different prices when the protein is higher. We don't seem to have a cheaper feed with lower calcium which would save money.

 

[Loverexnchicks]

That advice would work IF you are diligent enough to bring in the feed before dark and have the feed in the coop a half hour before sunrise and do so every day of the year. Chickens need feed when they wake up and come down from the roost and they need to know that the feed will always be there so they don't become protective of the feeder and increase fighting.

Doing so will NOT stop the rodents from stealing feed, it just teaches the rodents to eat during daylight hours.

I need to look around and find a different source of feed though after reading your post. Around here they charge the same for grower or all flock and layer feed. Only different prices when the protein is higher. We don't seem to have a cheaper feed with lower calcium which would save money.

Hi, after reading your reply I got curious of something. How much food should I be offering them in the morning? And should I refill their food in the afternoon, a while before they sleep?

 

[Loverexnchicks]

Feed a nice layer that atleast 18% protein.
Don't mix in the scratch, it's junk food, best as a small hand full every other day or just to get them inside.
No garlic, no chili seeds (both do more harm than good, and limit the scraps.
Enjoy your birds!

I know I’m late to reply, but is there any way to get my chickens to start eating their feed? When they were young and ate the chick starter, I could always feel their crops full, but now that I mostly only give them the pellets, they’ve become skinny and aren’t interested in the food unless they’re very hungry. What do I do?

 

[Al Gerhart]

Hi, after reading your reply I got curious of something. How much food should I be offering them in the morning? And should I refill their food in the afternoon, a while before they sleep?

Your birds will need a quarter pound of feed per hen per day. Ignore the roosters unless you have a lot of roosters. You should keep feed in front of them 24/7 .