New to chickens have questions.

[churchx3]

I have been reading about feeding chickens... grit, scratch, starter, grower, layer, supplements, kelp, whole grains, and on and on. Can anyone give me basic directions on what is best to feed chickens... I am raising them as pets for eggs only. Do not plan on hatching, just eating eggs. And no I can't afford $50. a month to feed my chickens! they are 6 weeks old presently and am feeling them crumbles at this point. Please help me see the light on what is best to do.

 

[ChickenToes]

Chick starter until they reach 18-20 weeks old. From there on out, it's layer feed. I've never fed grit, as they seem to be able to find that themselves. Feeding oyster shell is a good idea, it helps prevent soft shelled eggs. And that's pretty much it. Feeding scratch, corn, or oats is optional. I like to feed a 50/50 mix of scratch and layer feed in the winter, but that's just me.

 

[Chris09]

You can feed a Starter/ Grower till they start to lay good then switch to a layer.
I don't start feeding scratch till they start laying, I feel that a growing chick/bird needs all the protein it can get from the Starter/ Grower no need in diluting the protein by giving them scratch..

Now with that being said, I feed a 21% protein Starter/ Grower till they start to lay good then I mix 70 lbs Starter/ Grower to 30 lbs of a 14% protein all grain pigeon feed...

Chris

 

[scooter147]

Quote:
As far a cost per month you left out one important fact. How many hens do you have?
Once they start to lay a good layer ration is all that is really needed. Now if you feed only the layer ration you will not have the bright orange yolks most folks like in their "home grown eggs" but if you don't care then a bit of cracked corn is not needed.
Feed them all your kitchen scraps, give them your lawn clippings as long as you lawn is not treated with fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides.

Also if you are going to keep them confined to the coop and run it's a good idea to keep a layer of something (straw, shavings, sand, leaves, yard clippings etc.) for them to scratch around in bored chickens can get into trouble. I keep a layer of something and always throw a bit of scratch around the run. Layer feed is their main source of nutrition. It keeps the hens busy all day scratching and looking for the grains.
Hope that helps

 

[12GAGirl]

I spend about 20 bucks a month on my flock of nine. That is 50lbs of layer feed once a month, 50 lbs of scratch feed about every two months, a bag of BOSS every two months. I have only purchased one bag of grit ans one bag of oyster shell since my flock is only 7 months old. They get weeds that I pull up from my yard and leaves raked into the run if I am not able to let them free range during the day. Plus, they get kitchen scraps, leftovers from the fridge and when we dine out. My flock is spoiled and they spoil my family with wonderful eggs each day! As of right now, my flock is feeding 3 homes!