Need help planning a feed regimen

motorboat

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I have one adult rooster, one laying hen who's one year old and three pullets about 3-4 months old.

I learned what I know from my step father but I'm not sure it's ideal. He told me to feed them scratch grains and layer (crumbles) so I have one feeder full of scratch grains and another full of layer crumble and a bowl of grit. I had chick starter for the young ones but the lady at the feed store said it was fine to switch them to the adult feed now so now the young ones have to eat the adult food. I don't let my chickens free range because there are too many predators but I may start letting them out for an hour or two before it gets dark. I really am scared though. To supplement their diet I pull up grass and some other green stuff around the yard and I also thrown in old bananas, salad greens, bread, rice, oats, etc.

Now I see that some of y'all don't think scratch grain feed is good for summer feeding so I don't know if having a feeder full of that is a good idea (versus just throwing a cup or two in the run) and if not I don't know what to feed the rooster because he primarily eats the scratch grains as his main food.

I put vitamin/electrolyte powder in their water.

Once the other hens start laying I will give them oyster shell. I'm afraid to put any out for just the one layer because I think it will harm the younger ones or am I wrong.

Thanks
 
Scratch should be given as a treat they should never have free access to it, it's like ice cream to a kid given the choice they would rather eat that instead of the vegetables, I give mine a half a cup of scratch every day when I collect eggs to keep them busy before bedtime.
 
Scratch should be given as a treat they should never have free access to it, it's like ice cream to a kid given the choice they would rather eat that instead of the vegetables, I give mine a half a cup of scratch every day when I collect eggs to keep them busy before bedtime.


OK but what is the rooster for instance supposed to eat when I can't give him treats or table scraps?
 
I don't have any roosters but people that do I don't think they have a special "rooster food"for them, I believe they eat layer pellets or what ever food your feeding your hens, I'm sure he just prefers the ice cream.
 
My roosters have always eaten whatever the hens are eating, even when I used a layer feed. Younger chickens should be close to laying age before they start eating layer feed because the extra calcium is not that good for them.

To keep things simple, I now just feed a grower feed all the time and offer oyster shell on the side for the layers who need calcium. Much easier for me than having separate feed for everyone every time I get new chickens.

Like Jetdog, I only give scratch to keep them busy at particular times. I typically don't feed it in the summer because they aren't cooped up as much and don't really need it to keep them occupied.
 
Scratch should be given as a treat they should never have free access to it, it's like ice cream to a kid given the choice they would rather eat that instead of the vegetables, I give mine a half a cup of scratch every day when I collect eggs to keep them busy before bedtime.

This method is used when the layer feed is 20-22%, but not with 16%. Agway sells a 21% feed for example & they tell you that you can feed 1/2 scratch & 1/2 pellets. This is done in separate feeders as above & the birds regulate their intake.
 
I always have unmedicated chick starter mixed into my feed mix as a source of protein (20%) and my cockerels don't have to eat layer pellets (bad for them). I have grains/seeds mixed in too, and have found they do self-regulate pretty well and will eat more grains in winter. I do mix in some layer pellets as well since the layers like them, and have free choice oyster shell for my layers.
 
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