HELP!!!! Out of Feed

[Chica Lady]

Hi all. I am hoping someone can help me with some advice or ideas. I have 7 chicks that are two and half weeks old and 2 chickens (1 hen and 1 roo). I am out of chick starter and out of laying feed. What can I feed them? Is it ok to give the older chickens grass, flowers, weeds, etc? And some pebbles for grit? What can I give the chicks? I will not be able to get any more feed until Tuesday.

Thanx

 

[americanvalkyrie]

Hi all. I am hoping someone can help me with some advice or ideas. I have 7 chicks that are two and half weeks old and 2 chickens (1 hen and 1 roo). I am out of chick starter and out of laying feed. What can I feed them? Is it ok to give the older chickens grass, flowers, weeds, etc? And some pebbles for grit? What can I give the chicks? I will not be able to get any more feed until Tuesday.

Thanx

Rolled oats are good for the chicks, and for protein you can chop up some hard-boiled eggs. You can also let some bread go stale, then tear it up very finely, or crush up some crackers or low-sugar cereal. The older ones will eat just about anything, but will do well on rolled oats, cracked wheat, old bread and crackers, cooked (not raw) potatoes, leftovers from your vegetables (outer leaves of lettuce, broccoli stems) and boiled, chopped eggs for protein. You can also let them eat the grass and weeds, but they'll still need the grains and protein.

 

[americanvalkyrie]

Oh, I just remembered... some people give their chickens cottage cheese. I haven't, but you could mix it with oats and bread crumbs for the chicks. Cooked peas (frozen, not canned) and cooked beans should be good, too.

 

[Chica Lady]

Rolled oats are good for the chicks, and for protein you can chop up some hard-boiled eggs. You can also let some bread go stale, then tear it up very finely, or crush up some crackers or low-sugar cereal. The older ones will eat just about anything, but will do well on rolled oats, cracked wheat, old bread and crackers, cooked (not raw) potatoes, leftovers from your vegetables (outer leaves of lettuce, broccoli stems) and boiled, chopped eggs for protein. You can also let them eat the grass and weeds, but they'll still need the grains and protein.

Thank you so much. I have eggs and rice krisipies. I also have some crushed up bread.

 

[Chica Lady]

I also have cornmeal. the kind for making cornbread, hush puppies, etc. Is that ok to feed to the chicks?

 

[Chica Lady]

well, i gave them the cornmeal. they seem ok. i also have some cabbage leaves for the big kids.

 

[americanvalkyrie]

It's only for a few days, so they'll be fine. As long as they have a decent balance, and plenty of water. And my chickens go crazy over cabbage! Whenever I prepare any for my family, I make sure to save the core and the outer leaves for my chickens.

I'm sure it'll be such a relief when you can pick up more feed again! (Been there, done that.)

 

[Chica Lady]

ya, bad times right now, but things are getting better. we have been barely able to feed ourselves, but things will get better in the next week or so. hubby started a new job and gets his first check tomorrow. i'll be able to get feed then. this is my first time with chickens. i underestimated how fast they grow and how much food they go through. i think i figured out a way to lessen the mess they make when they eat. The type of feeder i have for the chicks is the bottle with a base with holes in it. I have been filling the bottle and more falls through the floor (1/4 inch wire) than they eat. well, if i only fill the base and not to the top of it, they should eat more than they spill. i'll just have to fill it more often, but it's better than wasting it.

 

[americanvalkyrie]

To help with food costs, I save every vegetable scrap that chickens can eat. They don't like whole carrots but they'll eat peelings. They love anything green. If I have a tomato that's past ripe but not moldy, that's a special treat for them. Weeds go straight to them. I also "tractor" them on my lawn using a cage, so they can mow it for me and can get their greens at the same time.

Have you considered catching what the chicks spill, and putting it outside on the ground so the bigger chickens can pick through it and eat the crumbs?

 

[chic-a-deee]

Hi, My chickens LOVE grass & cooked corn kernals. Also, yoghurt is ok, but not every day....dont know if yoghurt is any good for the babys tho???
Maybe some overcooked boiled rice might do for the baby chicks??? It seems to be a common 'starter' for a lot of baby pets animals including mice.
Ive used wild bird feed for my chickens, that works fine for the older ones.