Homemade Chick Food

[team_realtree]

Is there anything I can feed my chicks that I would have around the house or that I can grow rather than giving them store bought chick feed?

 

[Judy]

Not economically, unless you have quite a large operation.

Here is an excellent site on chicken feed:

http://www.lionsgrip.com/pastured.html

 

[Judy]

Well, you can certainly grow treats, or use leftovers and veg peelings and such. But treats should not be more than about 10% of their diet, if that. They enjoy most anything you do, though most of us try to keep it healthy.

Here is the BYC treat chart:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-Treats_Chart

 

[team_realtree]

cool thanks for the chart......So do I feed them chick starter with some of the provided types of food in the chart?

 

[bryan8]

Well you could grow everything you need for feed. Like oats, corn, and other grains. Do a search on the web for chick starter recipes. I'll try to find the link

 

[bryan8]

http://www.lionsgrip.com/recipes.html

 

[Judy]

Quote:
You certainly can. But chick starter is really all they need, well, maybe with a little live culture plain yogurt thrown in if they are brooder raised.

But treats are fun! Also they are great for teaching the chickens to come when you call. Very handy. And probably a necessity if you want pets, lap chickens.

 

[team_realtree]

For how long do i keep them on chick starter before they need a diet change???? Are crumbles the same as chick starter or a variety of chick starter?