Feeding My Flock

[Kmccracken]

This is my first time raising chicks. We had adult hens before an they raised the chicks themselves. We let them forage for food an feed them so they would come roost. So my six chicks have gotten so big in the last few weeks. They do NOT want to eat crumbles when out in the chick tractor. They attack greens and go nuts for them. Also tried them on some finely chopped strawberris they love them. Gave them some shredded carrots, they ate a little an ignored the rest. They will eat there chick start n grow by purina but they don't like it anymore. Im think they need organic food they don't have much room right now to forage but these little birds want to get out an scratch an eat what they find. Think they need mealworms, seeds an grain. they have no problem trying new things now.

 

[Kmccracken]

I have also given them boiled eggs another thing they loved

 

[Folly's place]

It's best to have their primary balanced diet available all the time, and then the other goodies are treats, not more than maybe 10% of their daily diet.
Of course they'd rather have all those goodies!
Mary

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

You can switch feed if you are so inclined but they’re a bit like kids in that they will choose cookies over healthy food so even though what you’re feeding isn’t candy per se you are feeding it often enough that they think they have a choice. I don’t give my pullets anything but starter until they’re able to range and even then it’s maybe once a week.

 

[nuthatched]

Provide constant access to their feed and stop all the treats. There's nothing wrong with them except they're spoiled.
Mealworms, seeds, grain, greens, fruit and vegetables are treats, and treats do not make a good diet that they will do well on.
Feed them their formulated feed and only give them a pinch of treats once or twice a week.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Seconding both all posts above me!

Some will say that animals know what's good for them. My birds will eat styrofoam and hardware, given the chance.

Sometimes you have to play hardball and lock them in with nothing but their crumble. Unless it's pest-riddled, damp, or otherwise compromised, they need to eat it for proper nutrition.

 

[Folly's place]

Styrofoam is the best! My birds think so too! Actually, any insulation, if available, must be yummy...
Mary

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Styrofoam is the best!

You mean popcorn? My chickens love a bit of popcorn…popcorn shaped like coolers, popcorn shaped like insulation…