I have to know... can any of you help me?

[Sequin]

Ok, I have to know what would be considered to be the "best" chicken feed available?

You see, I show my dogs and feed as clean and natural a diet as possible. I wouldn't feed my dogs generic store brand or to be honest Purina dog food if I was paid to feed it. I am wondering if the same is true of chicken feed? Just like there are puppy mills and questionable "breeders" of dogs, is that also found in chickens? What is the best species appropriate diet for chickens? I know what it is for dogs and for cats, but I am new to chickens and want to give any animal that is a part of this household the greatest advantage in terms of species appropriate diet.

I REALLY appreciate your comments. ideas, and suggestions in this matter. My hens all seem to be healthy, with glossy feathers, bright eyes, etc. but if there is a better way that suits them more I would like to follow that course instead.

 

[Sequin]

I forgot to mention, my chickens killed and ate a baby snake today as well as some REALLY fat catepillers and worms. YAY, GOoooo chick chicks!!!

I just love them all to pieces.

 

[shelleyd2008]

The processed feed is made specifically for different ages of chickens; i.e. starter, grower, finisher, layer; and as for what you plan to use them for. You can also supplement their feed with different types of grains. I don't really like to feed corn much, I have herad that it is not good for most other barnyard animals, so idk about chickens. They also love bugs of any kind, and there are quite a few people on here that feed their chickens yogurt, as well as other treats. Hope this helps, and someone else pipes in with more ideas for you! I agree about feeding them what is best...my dad thinks I'm crazy for paying $36 a bag for 40lb. dog food for my pup, but I buy good food for myself, why not for my kids?

 

[JessicaGrant]

I'll be interested to hear what people have to say. I feed my dog raw. He is a carnivore and I think it is appropriate to feed him as one. I don't really know what an equivalent "species-appropriate" diet would be. You could learn by what they get when they free range, I suppose, but our back yards aren't the same as where they roam free in nature, so maybe they would miss out on something. Interesting post!