Help transitioning to organic feed

[redvelvetspumon]

Ive fed my chicks regular grower crumbles from a supply house. It ran out and yesterday I got organic feed which has a separated mixture of beans corn and powdery feed etc, and they avoid it unless they're absolutely starving, always having empty stomachs lately. I dont want to stunt their growth or have them suffer. Tips on making the transition?

 

[JerseyGiantfolk]

I had the same problem with the organic feed, I recommend if it's powdery, don't feed it. My chickens starved from it also, and their feather quality became poor because they weren't getting enough nutrition, because they weren't eating it.

If you are going to feed organic feed, try using a handful of kitten food in it to bump up the protein.

 

[lorain's fids]

In March I switched to organic feed-Blue Seal Layer Pellets. When I was almost done with their original feed(which was Layena crumbles) I started mixing in the Blue Seal Pellets. I had no problems and the chickens didn't mind going from crumbles to pellets.

 

[JerseyGiantfolk]

Pellets are better than crumbles (personally) because they aren't as dusty. So I agree with Lorain, try some pellets.

 

[redvelvetspumon]

I already got fifty lbs of powdery feed since that's the only organic feed offered in my small city. I will look into pellets in the future but for now I'll try my best by mixing in some water and maybe kitten food

 

[Indigosands]

Read up on feeding cat/dog food before you do it please. I've read a lot here that suggests salt intake needs to be carefully monitored with this practice. I personally would try feeding it as a wet mash. I feed organic feed to my girls and they do like it but it took some getting used to as the new feed has lots of alfalfa and no wheat and bran.