Food?

[KatAnn]

I'm looking for organic mixed flock food but haven't been able to find any. The only one I have been able to find is either chick or layer. I don't want to get the layer one because we think there is a rooster in our flock.

I also have noticed that my chickens don't really scratching much in there run. Is there anything I can do to increase this. The area they are in I want to turn into a garden.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I'm looking for organic mixed flock food but haven't been able to find any. The only one I have been able to find is either chick or layer. I don't want to get the layer one because we think there is a rooster in our flock

Feed them the Non-medicated Chick feed.
I don't feed organic, but I feed my hens "22 months old" a Non-medicated Starter Grower 18%, with a separate container of Oyster Shells. GC

 

[GC-Raptor]

I also have noticed that my chickens don't really scratching much in there run. Is there anything I can do to increase this.

How old are they? What breed?
Ive noticed my 8 weeks old scratch more as they get older. Some breeds are better at digging and foraging.

My Barred Rocks are excellent diggers.

They dig holes 8 inches deep when dust bathing under the raised coop. GC
ETA; Like NatJ said scatter some Scratch Grains where you want them to dig.
I change the shavings in the coop biweekly and toss the shavings into their pen and toss Scratch in there daily and they turn it over.

GC

 

[NatJ]

I also have noticed that my chickens don't really scratching much in there run. Is there anything I can do to increase this. The area they are in I want to turn into a garden.

They usually don't dig very deeply, unless there is plenty of yummy stuff to eat. If you want the soil really turned over, you need pigs or a shovel or rototiller.

You can sprinkle a little corn or scratch grains to encourage them to forage there, but that will lay on top of the dirt, so won't help much.

I suggest you add some more mulch/compost/bedding materials. It keeps the soil more moist, and makes a place for bugs and worms to spend time. Then the chickens can scratch the mulch aside, eat the bugs and worms, and dig the soil a little bit too. Over time, the mulch will seem to disappear (rotted, worked into the soil).

By "mulch" I mean anything that will rot and that is not a solid sheet. So weeds, leaves, grass clippings, hay, straw, pine needles, vegetable peelings, etc. Wood shavings break down slowly, and wood chips more slowly yet, although both also work.

I've noticed that when chickens have a choice of grassy lawn or mulched garden bed, they eat grass on the lawn but scratch in the mulch.

 

[KatAnn]

Feed them the Non-medicated Chick feed.
I don't feed organic, but I feed my hens "22 months old" a Non-medicated Starter Grower 18%, with a separate container of Oyster Shells. GC

I found a chick starter that is organic that they have been on since 3 days old could I continue this and just do a supplement of oysters shells?

 

[KatAnn]

How old are they? What breed?
Ive noticed my 8 weeks old scratch more as they get older. Some breeds are better at digging and foraging. View attachment 2208068
My Barred Rocks are excellent diggers. View attachment 2208069
They dig holes 8 inches deep when dust bathing under the raised coop. GC
ETA; Like NatJ said scatter some Scratch Grains where you want them to dig.
I change the shavings in the coop biweekly and toss the shavings into their pen and toss Scratch in there daily and they turn it over. View attachment 2208077
GC

They are about 12 weeks old I have 6 buff orpingtons and one Dominique.

 

[KatAnn]

They usually don't dig very deeply, unless there is plenty of yummy stuff to eat. If you want the soil really turned over, you need pigs or a shovel or rototiller.

You can sprinkle a little corn or scratch grains to encourage them to forage there, but that will lay on top of the dirt, so won't help much.

I suggest you add some more mulch/compost/bedding materials. It keeps the soil more moist, and makes a place for bugs and worms to spend time. Then the chickens can scratch the mulch aside, eat the bugs and worms, and dig the soil a little bit too. Over time, the mulch will seem to disappear (rotted, worked into the soil).

By "mulch" I mean anything that will rot and that is not a solid sheet. So weeds, leaves, grass clippings, hay, straw, pine needles, vegetable peelings, etc. Wood shavings break down slowly, and wood chips more slowly yet, although both also work.

I've noticed that when chickens have a choice of grassy lawn or mulched garden bed, they eat grass on the lawn but scratch in the mulch.

I added wood chips to the run today hoping this improve the scratching.

 

[KatAnn]

Thank you all for your help and awesome advise

 

[GC-Raptor]

I found a chick starter that is organic that they have been on since 3 days old could I continue this and just do a supplement of oysters shells?

Yes continue feeding. The analysis is similar to the feed I buy, but mine is not organic.

Yes offer Oyster Shells separately after 16 weeks. GC

 

[KatAnn]

Yes continue feeding. The analysis is similar to the feed I buy, but mine is not organic.View attachment 2208885
Yes offer Oyster Shells separately after 16 weeks. GC

Awesome thank you so much for your help