They completely ignored the fruits/veggies

[Richard Pryor]

Hi @jennyf. Yes I agree with you. It's why I said that having a balanced diet is important.

Here's that thread. You should read it again. Personally I'm more inclined to believe chickens were fed whatever was around (plus free range) than kids having to hunt squirrels to feed the chickens.

Chickens are hardy animals. They're prehistoric. In my very humble opinion, you could get away with feeding whatever, even a non balanced diet. Egg production will certainly go down, for starters.

But it honestly makes me mad when I hear people repeating the feed-companies' propaganda (10%, etc) as if it were gospel. Commercial feed is certainly convenient. But it is definitely not the only option. And I'd like to think not the best option either.

In my case, I will feed them fruits/veggies because they are free. I will also raise mealworms, harvest the frass for my plants as fertilizer, and feed them for their source of protein. They'll also be able to free-range to get their grit and whatever is laying around.

If I'm wrong i'll be the first to admit it. Let's see if they remain healthy and if they lay more than a few eggs/week lol.

 

[Mace Gill]

Hi @jennyf. Yes I agree with you. It's why I said that having a balanced diet is important.

Here's that thread. You should read it again. Personally I'm more inclined to believe chickens were fed whatever was around (plus free range) than kids having to hunt squirrels to feed the chickens.

Chickens are hardy animals. They're prehistoric. In my very humble opinion, you could get away with feeding whatever, even a non balanced diet. Egg production will certainly go down, for starters.

But it honestly makes me mad when I hear people repeating the feed-companies' propaganda (10%, etc) as if it were gospel. Commercial feed is certainly convenient. But it is definitely not the only option. And I'd like to think not the best option either.

In my case, I will feed them fruits/veggies because they are free. I will also raise mealworms, harvest the frass for my plants as fertilizer, and feed them for their source of protein. They'll also be able to free-range to get their grit and whatever is laying around.

If I'm wrong i'll be the first to admit it. Let's see if they remain healthy and if they lay more than a few eggs/week lol.

I you're going to go without feed ... they will get enough grit from forage. Watch their health, if their experiencing gleet, they are probably getting too many grains, if they have sour crop, they are getting too much tall grass, if their poop is runny, they are getting too many fruits. Besides the meal worms ... small game, bugs, and beans and nuts can supplement protein. You will need some sort of calcium. Egg shells, lightly baked and ground up small can be an additional source of calcium. Read up on the boards about sprouts and fodder, you may want it in winter when forage is less available.