suitable feed other than laying pellets?

[castrbl]

my chicken is reaching adulthood and im gonna be switching her off the baby feed when it runs out (which is soon) but i dont want her on commercial laying pellets. what food is suitable? ive heard cooked rice is good but i dont wanna have to make a bunch of rice constantly. would regular bird seed be okay? or any type of plant based pet food?

 

[chuckachucka]

What is the reason why you don't want to feed layer pellets? Laying chickens need the correct balance of carbohydrates, proteins, minerals and fats. The commercial feeds have these at the right levels and make a complete feed with nothing else required except water. Rice does not contain enough protein which is essential for the production of eggs and the growth of new feathers. Nor does it contain sufficient calcium. If you want to provide alternative feeds you will have to provide mineral and protein rich foods along with something like rice or corn for carbs and a little fat particularly in the winter. Bird seed is rich in carbs possibly protein depending on seed type and some minerals but are hard to digest and must be fed with grit. They also do no contain enough calcium.

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

If your hen is Lang, she should have layer feed. But if not, use All Flock.

 

[Folly's place]

You have only one chicken? Get the small bag of an all-flock feed like Flock Raiser, and offer oyster shell in a separate dish when she starts laying eggs. Make sure each bag of feed is fresh; check the mill date on each bag, and buy within one month or so, and use it up within another month.
Making a home-made balanced diet is difficult and expensive!!! I had poultry nutrition class in college, and can't imagine doing it for my flock of fifty, never mind for a tinier flock.
Rice and wild bird seed will have her very malnourished, and be a disaster for her.
Mary

 

[Cayuga momma]

I agree with Folly's Place, but this may help if you are dead set on feeding homemade.

 

[Molpet]

here is the nutrients they need https://www.nap.edu/read/2114/chapter/4
and some rations byc members have used

 

[Folly's place]

CM, that's a very old recipe, and old information. NO feed in the USA now has an antibiotic added OTC, and amprolium in NOT an antibiotic.
And, the OP can't use that quantity of ingredients, as there's not a flock of thousands there.
The vitamin/ mineral mixes all come in quantities unsuitable for mixing small batches of feed before they age out.
Every batch of grain mix should be tested for nutrient levels, as it will vary too. EXPENSIVE!
Mary

 

[Cayuga momma]

Folly's place, ok got it.
Oh and I didn't expect her to use that amount, common sense would be to break it down. Instead of 500 use 5 etc.
Again I agree that she should get an all flock feed if she doesn't want to use layer.

 

[chickens really]

Get a Grower finisher feed and supply Oyster shell in a separate dish....

 

[castrbl]

What is the reason why you don't want to feed layer pellets? Laying chickens need the correct balance of carbohydrates, proteins, minerals and fats. The commercial feeds have these at the right levels and make a complete feed with nothing else required except water. Rice does not contain enough protein which is essential for the production of eggs and the growth of new feathers. Nor does it contain sufficient calcium. If you want to provide alternative feeds you will have to provide mineral and protein rich foods along with something like rice or corn for carbs and a little fat particularly in the winter. Bird seed is rich in carbs possibly protein depending on seed type and some minerals but are hard to digest and must be fed with grit. They also do no contain enough calcium.

i do not want her laying eggs abnormally .i do not want to consume her eggs my bird is my baby not my slave.