organic chick feed

[sbrown1414]

I just got my first flock four days ago and they are awesome! I've got six Black Australorps and we are loving it. When I contacted the hatchery, they strongly suggested organic chick feed and said that they would sell us some. I was wanting to feed them organically anyway. When we got there to pick up the chicks (2 1/2 hour drive) he told us he was out of feed and to come back later to pick some up. He sold us a small bag and said to give it to them until they start laying and then switch to a layer feed. Well, needless to say, he is too far away and he said it was too expensive to ship, so we went to all the local feel stores. None of them sell unmedicated chick feed. One place said to give them meat bird feed, it is 20% protien and unmedicated. I bought it and mixed it with the other feed. Now I am nervous. They are doing very well, but I know nothing about chick feed and I want to make sure that I am feeding them properly. Any opinions?

 

[dirtsaver]

sbrown check the calcium content in the feed from the feed store. Seems that is one of the big concerns with feed for older birds being fed to baby chicks. I'm not sure what else to watch for.

Larry

 

[GardeNerd]

Here is a list of organic chicken feed suppliers and feed stores that carry organic feed. It is still under construction and I am always adding more to it.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=20741-organic-chicken-feeds
Also on that list are links to recipes for mixing your own organic chicken feed. If you are unhappy with your local choices or shipping fees for feed, you could always mix your own.

The person who sold you the chicks is right because most folks would recommend you only feed a starter or grower feed until they reach laying age, whether or not it is an organic feed.

 

[felidaet]

I personally don't want to spend the money on the much more expensive organic feed. I feed Purina medicated Start & Grow until they are 18 weeks old. Then I switch Purina Layena.

 

[Sequin]

It's a bummer that no one sells unmedicated chick starter. Maybe they could order some for you? You might ask them to order you a 25# bag of it. You can feed the medicated until they move onto layer feed if that is the only thing available to you and your local place won't order it for you.

 

[aunt emma]

I am also interested in organic chick feed as we have 3 broody hens sitting at the moment! I'd like to feed all our chickens organic food if at all possible, the other day Martha Stewart's show was all about raising chickens; she's been doing it for 30 yrs. She deals with Murray McMurray chicken hatchery, who is as I understand it a friend of byc. You might check Martha's website, I've been wanting to do that as well. Also I like what what one of the other byc member said about mixing your own feed. I will look into that as well. Martha said she use's gel pro one time for her baby chick's and then feeds them organically after that, she also said that organic chicken feed is much more expensive but that since she is eating the eggs it is worth it and I agree. I want good quality eggs for my family and my neighbors. The cost is much more of a factor for folks like us though. I wish you every success in your endeavors. If I learn anything as I research this subject I'll happily pass it on, but with as many members as there are on byc I'm thinking they will teach us newbie's more than a thing or 2!

Have a blessed day all.

 

[nolable88]

Has anyone heard of chicks dying from medicated feed?? The hatchery I ordered my chicks from highly recommends un-medicated feed for this purpose. Does this sound correct?

 

[kokeff]

I heard if you want to keep your chicks organic, you can add some yogurt to their water and keep them on non-medicated organic feed. Obviously adding the yogurt to their feed would make it messy, so melt some in their water and that puts the good bacteria in their tummies. Not sure if this is correct, or if it works, but worth a try I guess? Not sure exactly which yogurt to give either. Our vet told us to give our hens that had a cold Activia yogurt unflavored and it helped immensely. Anyone else heard of this?