Total Newbie

[blackdust951]

it's great to have you here!
G'day and welcome to backyard chickens!we're so happy you've decided to join usi hope you enjoy your time here.

 

[TwoCrows]

Thanks a lot, you guys! I've started interviewing some of my friends who have chickens.
I was a bit shocked when I learned that one of them feeds only chickenfeed, and the other feeds only table scraps. I was confused about this– I'd assume that a nice mix of both would be the best for chickens (well, for any animal, really)? I mean, my parrot gets pellets, supplemented with fruits and veggies, and my cat gets kibbles, supplemented with meat and fish. So, I'd think that chickens would get chickenfeed, supplemented with "table scraps," then (among other things)? I think they could eat most of the things my parrot can... but probably more veggies than fruit. What do you think?

Chickens need to eat a healthy diet if you want them to lay, stay healthy and live a long time. Old time farmers fed chickens leftovers and what ever they could as chickens were raised for meat and eggs and many were butchered at the age of 2 or 3. These days we raise them for longitivity and birds need to eat right. Poultry feed should compromise 90% of the diet, treats and table scraps only 10% of the diet. If they don't eat right, they will get sick, not lay and won't live a long healthy life.

 

[rjohns39]

Thanks a lot, you guys! I've started interviewing some of my friends who have chickens.
I was a bit shocked when I learned that one of them feeds only chickenfeed, and the other feeds only table scraps. I was confused about this– I'd assume that a nice mix of both would be the best for chickens (well, for any animal, really)? I mean, my parrot gets pellets, supplemented with fruits and veggies, and my cat gets kibbles, supplemented with meat and fish. So, I'd think that chickens would get chickenfeed, supplemented with "table scraps," then (among other things)? I think they could eat most of the things my parrot can... but probably more veggies than fruit. What do you think?

Chickens need to eat a healthy diet if you want them to lay, stay healthy and live a long time. Old time farmers fed chickens leftovers and what ever they could as chickens were raised for meat and eggs and many were butchered at the age of 2 or 3. These days we raise them for longitivity and birds need to eat right. Poultry feed should compromise 90% of the diet, treats and table scraps only 10% of the diet. If they don't eat right, they will get sick, not lay and won't live a long healthy life.

X2 When nutritionists design a feed ration, they assume we'll provide some treats and that the birds will have access to grass and bugs. It's a complicated balancing act between nutrition, cost, and production. I also recommend making sure your birds have free choice grit and oyster shell.

 

[ronott1]

This pdf has a guide for feeding chickens

 

[~Feathered Potatoes~]

This pdf has a guide for feeding chickens

Thank you!

 

[Stayc]

Hello and welcome to BYC!! You are doing the right thing researching before you get them. My hubby just pulled into tractor supply one day and was like "lets get chickens "! So we did...all the one's he picked out were roosters. I wish you the best with your future flock.