Im Brand new to this, What do I need to feed and water chickens

[FoodKillah]

Avoid to throw the food on the ground because the not eaten food might mold and go bad. What i did is get 3 long pieces of wood and connect their one side together, to create a 3 leg stand, then hang something from that stand to put their feed in, with rope or something, the bottom should be about 8 inch from the ground so they cant put their huge feet in and waste the feed.

Thats what i did

 

[Winggedheart]

The chicken coop looks great.

 

[acid_chipmunk]

Scratch is to be used as a treat ONLY!!!! It is not a sole source of food for them.

As already mentioned, check out Tractor Supply, they will have everything you need, no matter the time of year. Depending on how many chickens you are getting, a 1 gallon waterer will be good. I use them and the 7 pound feeders for my birds. I also am a advocate for Purina foods. I have show birds and it keeps them healthy and happy. You want to start out with Start and Grow for chicks, which comes in medicated or non-medicated, your choice as to which you want. You can keep them on this until they start laying, but I switch mine over to Flock Raiser when they are about 3-4 months old. I feed Flock Raiser with oyster shell free choice on the side.

Good luck with your chickens!

 

[Tdub4chiks]

On BYC homepage, there is a link on Raising chickens 101. This should help get you started.


https://www.backyardchickens.com/raising-chickens-basics.php

 

[6chickens in St. Charles]

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But you Gotta Know This: even though it's a brand name feed, it still won't cost NEARLY as much as feeding a cat or a dog. It's incredibly inexpensive compared to other pets. So, no worries, mate: there's more known about chicken nutrition than any other nutrition, and giving them Purina feed is a very easy means of getting the best enjoyment from a pet. Just keep it in a secure can so it doesn't get moisture and so your neighbors can't accuse you of attracting rats.

It takes us nearly 8 months to use up a 40pound bag of Purina Layena. What a way to spend $11! I spend up to $30 all year on my 13 chicken's feed/treats. Mostly they need it in the winter when the ground is frozen; in the summer we sometimes lock them up in the run to force them to notice the feed instead of gulping down worms and critters. (Your wife might like that part; they eat mice, spiders, ants, slugs, locusts, japanese beetles......)

I even like the Purina slogan, something like "Pets make better people, Purina makes better pets".

 

[daniel-delarosa]

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You cant eat just any ol chicken??

 

[wsdareme]

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You cant eat just any ol chicken??

It's kinda like this: If you're going to raise beef, you want to raise a breed that is designed for eating, like Angus. If you want a cow to milk, Holstein is your best choice. You can eat a Holstein and milk an Angus, but you're not going to get as much meat or milk and it won't be the best tasting.

 

[rriveramri]

I did some research on breads before I got mine. I picked 2 Road Island reds and 1 barred rock. they are almost 1 year old and lay 1 egg each per day. I do live in So Cal so the weather may help.

 

[Yay Chicks!]

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X2

 

[abhaya]

first welcome to the wonderfull world of chickens!!!!!
Your coop looks great. If you are looking for full size birds I would check out the for sale section and see if anyone loves close to you that you may be able to get them from. If you are looking for chicks you can wait for Tractor supply company (TSC) or a similar place to get chicks in spring or order on line. meyer, ideal, and my pet chicken all do small orders. As for a feeder and waterer I would also check out TSC They have all the chicken stuff you need. feed depends on age you want layer feed for chickens 16 weeks (4 months) and up. starter/grower for chicks or you can use flock raiser if a mixed age flock. With the flock raiser you need to provide oystershell for laying hens or you will have problems with the shells. for breeds of chicken plymoth barred rocks are good layers Rhode Island reds are great layers sexlink are great layers. If you want green eggs you could go with an easter egger (EE) Black austrolops are great layers as well and tend to be docile. There are many more breeds those are the ones I am familiar with.

Good luck have lots of fun and come to the boards often you can learn a ton.