oh no ; I don't think I'm feeding them correctly

[California Girls]

Oh dear; I hope that I am wrong; I'm only feeding my chickens - 5 months now scratch. I usually find a treat from the night before to give; rice, fruit, or other vegetable. What should I be feeding the girls?
If this helps, sometimes the poop is a ball of brown goop, sometimes it is hard and easy to sweep off the patio.
I hope this isn't making them unhealthy, please help.

Thanks

 

[ams3651]

you should be feeding them starter or layer if they are laying yet. Scratch should be just a treat or supplement to their regular diet. Fruit and veg are good too as a supplement.

 

[chookchick]

Sounds like they are free-ranging? If so, they have probably been able to supplement their diet quite a bit. No big harm done--get them some layer feed, and keep scratch down to 10% or less of their diet.

 

[chickenwhisperer123]

Layer Crumbles would be the best diet for them probably.

Dont stress about feeding them scratch for that long though, because I fed scratch for at LEAST 2 years before I found this forum... No harm done.

 

[Tala]

They should have a nutritionally complete feed out for them 24/7, but like others said if they are ranging on the yard then they are probably doing ok.

Scratch is just a treat. Great for making them friendly or getting them to come up to you or go in the pen.

 

[California Girls]

yes, they do free range in my yard all day. I'll go to the feed barn tomorrow and get them on a more sound diet. Thanks for the help.