feeding my chickens.

[lisa71]

Hello everyone. I was wondering if any one could help me out with something? I have 5 chickens that will be 3 months old July 15th what should I be feeding them as far as their main food? I have read about all the different things people give them like their leftovers and such but at what age can you start doing this? I don't want to make them sick or harm them in anyway. Thanks for your help.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

They should be on Grower or Starter/Grower (not Layer) until the point of lay. You can give them some kitchen scraps- that is fine. Make sure they have grit or they can free range for their grit.

 

[lisa71]

thanks for your help

 

[lisa71]

oh yeah one more thing...how often do they need grit if they are still on starter food? do they just need it if i give them scraps and do i just put it in a pan of some sort or just throw it in their coop?
we let them out in our yard for about an hour or so every day but we don't have rocks or sand in our yard.

 

[Ebers]

I'm curious about the distribution of grit also

 

[countrycakelady]

I would say that you need to have a pan or bowl of grit accessible at all times...just leave it out where they can get it from needed...they will know....

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

oh yeah one more thing...how often do they need grit if they are still on starter food? do they just need it if i give them scraps and do i just put it in a pan of some sort or just throw it in their coop?
we let them out in our yard for about an hour or so every day but we don't have rocks or sand in our yard.

If they are only on commercial cracked grain feed they don't need grit. They need grit if ingesting grass, treats, etc.

They have no teeth and the grit grinds the food in the gizzard- grit can stay in the gizzard for a year but it should be offered free choice or they can free range for their own. You can just throw it on the ground if you want. It needs to be sharp granite grit so it might hurt their feet if you are working with a small run and they are standing on it all day. Size #3 Cherrystone grit is for adult chickens.

 

[cafarmgirl]

I would say that you need to have a pan or bowl of grit accessible at all times...just leave it out where they can get it from needed...they will know....

Simplest way to do it. I have a dish of grit in each of my coops that I refill as necessary, they take what they need.