Switching from chick feed

[MsVi]

Hi all! Very new to raising chickens. My ladies (4) are around eight weeks old. My outdoor coop is nearly finished so I can move them from my living room to their outside home. I’m just about out of chick feed and looking for suggestions on what to feed them now. Thank you!

 

[nuthatched]

Chick feed still or flock raiser/ all flock feed.

 

[Ryan A]

Hi all! Very new to raising chickens. My ladies (4) are around eight weeks old. My outdoor coop is nearly finished so I can move them from my living room to their outside home. I’m just about out of chick feed and looking for suggestions on what to feed them now. Thank you!

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Awww cute. I recommend “scratch” that’s what I get mine.

 

[Tre3hugger]

I switch from starter right to a 20% protein all flock feed. They can then stay on that for life. I have actually fed it to chicks that a broody hatched and they were just fine. All my birds get all flock 20%. Supplement calcium with free choice oyster shell.

 

[nuthatched]

Awww cute. I recommend “scratch” that’s what I get mine.

Oh dear, Scratch is not feed, it's really high in carbs and very low in nutrients, it's like you eating nothing but plain pasta. It's meant to be a treat that is about 10% of their intake. You had better get some real chicken feed that has the nutrition chickens need, they won't be healthy on just scratch.

 

[svh]

Scratch generally refers to a mix of seeds and corn, and should not be used as food, but used as a treat on a limited basis, and does not meet the nutritional requirements of chickens.

An 18% - 20% All Flock would be my choice, as they do not need Layer Feed just yet.

 

[Ryan A]

Oh dear, Scratch is not feed, it's really high in carbs and very low in nutrients, it's like you eating nothing but plain pasta. It's meant to be a treat that is about 10% of their intake. You had better get some real chicken feed that has the nutrition chickens need, they won't be healthy on just scratch.

Oh no! Thx for letting me know. I didn’t know that! I have been feeding scratch to my chickens for a little over a year and never knew it was bad for them! Tysm for letting me know before they get diabetes.

 

[nuthatched]

Oh no! Thx for letting me know. I didn’t know that! I have been feeding scratch to my chickens for a little over a year and never knew it was bad for them! Tysm for letting me know before they get diabetes.

You're welcome, they probably won't take to it at first, they're used to scratch but they'll eat the feed when they're hungry. Don't feed them any scratch for a week or two then in small amounts, like a tables spoon per chicken.

 

[David61]

any 16-20% name brand FEED will do but look for the feed thats made closest to you or is fresh. The date is on the bag. Two months old or less. The purina flock raiser crumble is what I'm using. Any age or sex bird can use it. At my feed store the bags are less than a month old. The older and farther away the feed is the great chance of getting moldy damp feed.
My chickens are healthy , happy and producing large good eggs.
I have been using flock raiser and oyster shell on the side for over a year with no plans to change.

 

[GC-Raptor]

My Pullets/Hens get a Non-medicated Starter-grower feed.
Oyster Shells are offered separately at 15 weeks old. GC