I am not an expert in feeding chickens whole grains, The commercial feed just isn't good enough for me or my chickens.
This IS my first year feeding whole grains to my flock. I have 4 roo's and 36 pullets. They are now 9 weeks old.
I have only lost one as she was genetically disabled and was not going to live anyway.
This is working for me....This might not work for you. But if this is the way you want to go....Then Do it! I was terrified I was going to kill my chickens. Well. I haven't yet anyway.
Their feathers just shine in iridescent colors, Their eyes are bright and so are their attitudes. They are not too fat and not too skinny. They forage all day long when they are out.
(They are in the coop for a few more days learning where their new home is).
I have a lot to learn and I know with every passing day I am learning something new. So .....take my advise with a grain of salt.
I also try to live by "prevention is the best medicine. I do give ACV from day one also.
Do a lot of research about feeding your chickens whole grain so you will understand what you need to do for them and what they need.
If you are planning on feeding your girls whole grains....Start them off very slow like over 3-4 weeks.
Their Gizzard will need some time to develop the strength to grind the grain along with the correct size grit.
These first 3 are the same site....And is from a book that the chickenfeed Website quoted..... so......Everything is quoted accurately from the book, unless it is in square brackets "[ ]" in which case it is an entry by the ChickenFeed website. I also feel this "book" is a bit out dated. But the Info is great. It will show you how to calculate your protein for your recipe.
http://www.lionsgrip.com/recipes.html
http://www.lionsgrip.com/feedinstruc.html
http://www.lionsgrip.com/protein.html
This next one is a great site. This is from Harvey Ussery. He also feeds his chickens whole grains and is a very respected person in the chicken community.
http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Poultry.html
These are the ingredients I am using at the moment. When My chicks were little I had to grind there food since the whole grains were too big for them to eat.
Now at 9 weeks old They are eating almost everything whole except the corn and the Peas (mine are whole seed) Some do eat the whole corn as I throw some in to see where they are at with the size of the grain and it has been eaten. so I am real close to All whole seeds/grain.
Wheat, Corn, Soy Beans, Oats, Sunflower chips (until old enough to eat whole) Peas, Millet (Mixture), Alfalfa, Vitamins (only until I add the Kelp free choice, But not sure at this point, Might leave it in there), Sea Salt. I also Have not found a good meat source yet so I am adding in 1-2 times a week, Some sorta of meat/fish. (I am wanting to raise fish for this).
I weigh everything out into 1 five gallon bucket (I mix 25# at a time) I will be throwing it into my cement mixer to mix it once they reach 50#. Right now, I mix by hand. Mine too has some powder at the end but not much.
This is my list and It changes protein as They grow. Right now they are at the 18% grower stage.
If you do not like a grain I have in my list do some research and find a grain that is comparable with the grain you want to replace. I know I am wanting to use something other than soy beans but I need to find a grain to replace it locally. I do know my peas would work for that but I really want to have a variety of grains in their feed which is always better.
I also Sprouted oats in my basement (didn't take much to do and no light required) for their winter greens. That worked very well. I also gave them my kitchen, bread, Etc.... scraps. soon I will be giving garden scrap and growing some root crops I can store over winter for their winter greens as well.
I am glad you are trying to do better for your girls. If you are wanting to talk just pm me. Good Luck
