Is this a good diet for my flock?

cluckmecoop7

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Hi everyone,

I was wondering if what I feed my chickens is a good, wholesome, healthy diet. I use a 5 gallon buck and mix together:

1. Scratch.

2. Layer pellets.

3. Black sunflower seeds

4. A handful of grit (I also give grit separately)

5. A handful of crushed oyster shells (also given separately.)

Thank you!

 
Hi everyone,

I was wondering if what I feed my chickens is a good, wholesome, healthy diet. I use a 5 gallon buck and mix together:

1. Scratch.

2. Layer pellets.

3. Black sunflower seeds

4. A handful of grit (I also give grit separately)

5. A handful of crushed oyster shells (also given separately.)

Thank you!
Sorry, but this is a recipe for disaster.
Your flock would do best on an All Flock, Flock Raiser or similar type of complete feed that offers 18 - 20% protein.
Feed oyster shell on the side in a separate container.
Feed grit on the side in a separate container.
If you feel you must offer treats, keep their total weight to less than 10% of their total daily ration.
 
Ok, thank you! Can you give me a link to where I could buy that?
Also, if I kept feeding what I do now, what would happen?
Thanks!
 
Ok, thank you! Can you give me a link to where I could buy that?
Also, if I kept feeding what I do now, what would happen?
Thanks!
You can get Nutrena All Flock, Purina Flock Raiser and various brands of chick crumbles at any Tractor Supply store. Your local feed stores will also carry different lines of chicken feed.
Oyster shell is sold by the 50# bags there for about $10 and lasts a looooong time.
If you continue to feed what you are feeding you run the risk of feather picking, poor feather development, poor body condition, hemorrhagic fatty liver syndrome and sudden death, egg bound pullets/hens, thin shelled eggs and shell-less eggs. That's just off the top of my head.
 
These are all great things to give to chickens but it's important to get the quantities of each thing right.

As DobieLover said, scratch and seeds are treats and should be limited to 10% or less of their daily food. This is because treats tend to be high in fat and carbs and low in protein. Since hens need minimal fat and a good amount of protein for eggs and feather growth, this can lead to health issues.

Chickens with access to soil need less grit so if you mix it with the pellets it will often go to waste. Similarly with oyster shell, it is best to provide it separately so it doesn't end up wasted if not needed. Hens on layer pellets are already getting calcium and therefore probably don't need the shell anyway.

All flock is recommended if you have roosters or different aged birds, i.e. Younger not yet laying chicks and pullets, or very old hens who have stopped laying. If your flock consists solely of laying pullets and hens, it is fine to feed layer pellets.
 

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