Need help sorting out all the advice of what to feed Chickens!

[Minchi]

So I should have my chickens in a few weeks and I can't stop planning. I am looking at Alfalfa, Radish, Clover, Broccoli, and Wheat Grass Sprouts to feed them. I also plan on giving them Flax and Marigolds. Is all this okay for them to eat and about how much do you think one chicken can eat a day of this mixture? For meat I was thinking Mealworms, worms, crickets, and fish. I was thinking about supplementing all of this with a basic chicken feed...if needed. I want to get the best eggs and many seam to think the Italians have the best eggs but either no one knows why or the farmers are not willing to give up there secrets. With all the advice I am a little confused as to what to feed them, how much of each, and when I can introduce these food to them.... Bean sprouts seam good because they grow quick and I can get them in bulk. As you can tell I am a little over loaded with information..... Does anyone have any thoughts that might help me sort this all out and not drive my husband to the poor house trying to feed them.

We have a tiny yard and I want to make up for the lack of grass and natural bugs they would get from a larger yard.

 

[beaglady]

Back when I first got chickens, I remember someone telling me that 'keeping chickens can be as easy or as hard as you want it to be'. They will be fine with chick starter feed and kitchen veggie and fruit scraps for treats. Mine do get to free range, but in winter when they can't I just add sunflower seeds and rabbit pellets with alfalfa, and my yolk color improves.

You can make them all kinds of special treats if you want, but they will do well without, too.

 

[Minchi]

I know I am putting way too much in to this I can go over board easily. I am not sure if variety is best for them are if more like cats and dogs they prefer the same food everyday with a treat here or there. My husband and I don't eat much in the way of fruit and vegetables, so anything fresh will have to be store bought. The sprouts seamed like a great idea since they could be grown as needed but with so much vitamin content I was worried that I could make them sick from it.

Just think of me as a new mom.

 

[7L Farm]

When their chicks I just give mine chick starter for the first eight weeks nothing else they love it. They never complained & its simple. Then grower. Then once they start laying use 20% laying pellets & a side dish of oyster shells & some greens here & there. That's it!!! That's all they need to lay eggs. If you start the treat thing be careful not to give them to much it will cause an imbalance in their protein level & can cause major problems such as feather picking & other issues. Trust me you don't want this to happen. I did this & mine started picking feathers & it took me over a year to fix this, I had the worst looking chickens on the planet. Everyone told me to cull them but I chose not to because they laid alot of eggs. So, after a year of fighting this their finally back to normal. Just my two cents. Good Luck & enjoy your chickens.

 

[olelady]

I've had chickens in the back yard for 20+ years now. They live in an old play house and have a large coup for just 7. Occasionally they get to roam in our back yard or the dogs woods. I feed them chicken scratch and left over kitchen scraps. Fresh grass when we mow and weeds out of the flowerbeds, flowers too. And any other thing that comes our way. Like the wild strawberries and termite swarms.

They're fun for the kids, that are now grown and gone. Just an added tip. The smaller chickens do less damage to your yard. The big breeds can destroy a veg garden or flower bed in an hour so if they get out by accident they can ruin a lot of hard work!

You get smaller eggs but its worth it. We have silkies and cochins right now. You can let your kids teach them tricks. We've gone to show and tells for years. My daughter use to bring her pet rooster in to watch tv and share her popcorn. They are amazing creatures. I've learned a lot from watching them over the years.

 

[Judy]

I wouldn't give chicken scratch as the base feed because it is so low in protein, and it is not a complete feed, no added vitamins, etc. It is, however, the "old timey" basic chicken feed, at least around here. I think people got away with it because chickens had real forage available, with bugs and the occasional mouse or other critter, and maybe because kitchen scraps were more balanced. With scraps, 7L has a great point, be careful not to give so many greens or other extras that you reduce their protein intake. Not all kitchen scraps are created equal! If you have a lot of scraps, sprouts, greens, etc., probably the only problem you are likely to come across is reduced protein intake. In my case, I have extra eggs that I feed back to the chickens, so I don't worry about what scraps they get as they have this protein supplement. And don't be afraid to give them meat scraps. Something like a turkey carcass is great for them, and they will pick it clean -- if you don't use it for yourself, of course.

 

[Minchi]

I was thinking broccoli and other higher in protein sprouts but I was also planning on giving them mealworms and crickets (and other meat when I have it). Can they survive without the scratch then?

 

[bigbike4]

I happen to be brand new to chickens myself. I agree there is a lot of advise out there. One great, often overlooked source is YOUR LOCAL COUNTY AGENTS OFFICE. They will know about any local laws/ordinances, and have free hand outs and advice about chickens. I got my chickens at the "local" co-op type stores. There the people knew livestock, and asked me how many chicks I was gonna have, told me how much chick starter feed I would need, told me when I should switch them over to grower formula, when I could move them outside and into a coup and pen arrangement, etc. They also told me basically the same info that I already had from reading the breeds tab here about what kind of chicks to buy to produce what color of eggs (so would the county agent).

Remember this above all else, chickens are birds, and domesticated wild life. Their kind was alive before you were born and will be here after you are gone. They can forage for their own meals if need be. Only requirements are clean water daily. Chicken feed (of all types) ensures they have what they need at any stage of life. Chicken coups can be made simple or elaborate (or not at all but you risk your flock flying off, they are birds after all). A pen can be fancy and as big or small as you want. Or again not at all. Where I live people do let their birds totally free range, and as such occassionally lose one to coyotes, foxes, cars, hawks and other predators. I want my girls safe so I spent about $50 and bought plastic pipe, glue (to hold the pipe together) wire and made a decent 10 foot by 3 foot moveable run for them. I do want them to do what God intended them to do-weed and forage, so when I laid out my garden, I made the rows wide enough to move my pen in between. The girls get to dust, weed and eat bugs to their heart is content. At night they go back into their coup. I do suppliment with chicken feed sprinkled on the ground. The hens could not be happier.

Chickens are scary and will run at the slightest noise, well at least mine do. They are also inquisitive about everything and will eat **** near anything. Free ranging them on dirt or lawn allows them to get enough natural grit so you don't have to buy it (they have no teeth to chew with, and only need grit as they grow older). It also allows them to take dust baths (to help eliminate mites, flees etc). They can also eat weeds and grass which they love. Do your research as to what breeds you want to try. This is a lifelong commitment, so make sure you have time to do it and people who can take care of them when you travel. I find myself outside watching my month old babies in their pen just doing chicken things.

Good luck, raising chickens ain't hard, can be confusing and expensive (if you don't know what to buy). Do your research-they should have a coup with nesting boxes, otherwise they lay eggs whereever, should have a protected run-otherwise predators can get them, or they will simply fly away, and they need chick starter feed (to get started with) then grower formula (for the next phase of life) and then it is up to you as to how long you keep them around before slaughter.

 

[mikecnorthwest]

Does anyone have any thoughts that might help me sort this all out and not drive my husband to the poor house trying to feed them.

I would keep it simple and just feed them commercial feed as their primary feed source. Chick starter up until laying age and then layer pellets. You can supplement with table scraps or fresh greens if you want. You could also throw them some scratch grains once a day.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

I agree with that it can be as hard or as simple as you want!!! So accurate. Mine have access to layer mash,calcium, and clean water all day, then they free range and pretty much take care of themselves.
Just get a basic food and add variety as you want..there is a complete food and treat guide on this web some where, seems like they come out of the egg knowing what's good for them, if you can let them forage all day God will handle the rest-lots of bugs out there full of protein!
Most feed manufacturers spend alot of time and money formulating complete and nutritious chicken food, so start there