Help for newbies in North Carolina

Do what you have to- is what I want to say first!

If money is tight this month, you can make do. But for the health of your chickens in the long run, here's some info.:

Layer pellets are usually about 16% protein. This is supposed to be their entire feed. Cracked corn is a treat.

Cracked corn is about 7-8% protein. Eggs are protein, and if you don't give them protein to make their eggs and feathers, they will not be as healthy and won't lay as much.

But it also depends on what protein you are giving them in the way of kitchen scraps. And if they are able to find huge amounts of bugs to eat. But no, that was really bad advice (but apparently it is the advice of MANY feed stores, from what I read on here) to JUST feed cracked corn.

Also you might want to put out some oyster shell flakes (feed store) or if you have a cow give them milk for calcium. Grit is good too if you are sure they won't find their own tiny pebbles in the soil.

For protein this month, you can offer some scrambled or boiled eggs (and crush up the shells into REALLY tiny pieces) to them, and other high protein things from your kitchen. If you have birdseed on hand, the sunflower seeds are good for them and are about 16% protein. The millet in it is around 11% protein.

 

If they are 8 weeks old I would be feeding them grower feed. I do not think corn is going to meet thier nutritional needs. From what I have read it is more for a treat. I live in a cold climate, so I give mine a tiny handful in the morning to help them stay warmer.

 

&
You are right, corn is not enough

 

You already got great info from ChickensareSweet, I just wanted to say from a fellow North Carolinian!

 

Quote:Oh Whoops!!!

You are correct. I missed the age when I read the post. Absolutely correct. No oyster shell yet, and grower feed which is usually around 17% protein. Thank you for being awake 4luvofchickens!!!!

Sorry OP.

 

Luckily, chickens are omnivores, which means they eat anything (not just herbivores or carnivores, they will eat plants and meats, and a little bit of minerals in the way of small bits of rock for their gizzards). Anything your family does not finish up will be great treats for your chickens. They'll even clean off the carcass from a Thanksgiving turkey or any chicken bits! They don't care. They can also get protein (and niacin) from bugs.

Your tired salad bits, left-over pasta, apple cores, Halloween pumpkin guts and even the Jack O'Lantern, sad & late tomatoes from the garden, just about ANYTHING that doesn't have added sugar or lots of salt in it will be good to feed 'em. Don't give 'em avocado skins or seeds, or citrus peels, or chocolate.

High protein people foods that chickens love are canned tuna, shredded cheese, and cooked eggs chopped or scrambled (so they don't look like eggs any more) and you can even smash up their own egg shells to put calcium back into their diet.

You'll find that you put a whole lot less in the compost if you have been keeping a compost pile. The chickens will love that stuff! (And they love the bugs and worms attracted to the compost!)

It's surprising how many folks, even at feed stores, who think chickens just eat cracked corn as their main diet.