Feeding

[tkdofficer]

I have 3 chickens that are almost 4 months old. 2 roosters and 1 hen. Plus I have 6 adult hens and 1 adult rooster, all rescues. They are free range. They’ve eaten all the grass and eat all the bugs they can find. I’ve been feeding them Libby’s Vienna sausages for extra protein. Is this okay to give to them? I heard processed foods can cause cancer in humans. I give them chicken scratch, 2 ears of corn, 1 head of ice berg lettuce and fresh watermelon. Twice a month we give them live mealworms and live crickets. We are currently raising mealworms to lessen the cost.

 

[BrandonsBirbs]

I feel like it'd would be much cheaper for you to feed all your chickens an All Flock / Layer feed, no?

 

[NatJ]

Are you also giving them chicken food?

Since they've eaten all the grass and bugs, it is probably cheaper and easier to buy a balanced chicken feed than to buy a bunch of other things for them.

Foods labeled "Chick Starter" or "Grower" or "Flock Raiser" or "All Flock Feed" should work fine for chickens of all ages and all genders.

It is also good to put out a dish of oyster shell, to provide extra calcium for the hens that are laying eggs. Chickens who do not need the extra calcium will typically ignore it.

Edit to clarify: I don't see a problem with any specific thing you are giving them, if those things are treats. But for providing all the nutrients a chicken needs, I think other ways are easier and usually cheaper.