What all is in you chicken feed ?!?

[lindalouly]

Feed them kale and cabbage to replace the greens.

 

[Ballerina Bird]

Feed them kale and cabbage to replace the greens.

Thanks, yes, they do like kale.

 

[JacksHomestead]

Feed them kale and cabbage to replace the greens.

What other treats are acceptable?

 

[lindalouly]

I would limit treats to the occasion produce scrap.... A little handful of boss and meal worms.... I would feed them scratch before bed during very cold weather. Chicken feed and whatever else they find along with oyster shell and grit is all they really need... My boyfriend spoils the girls and feeds them bread before bed!!! He likes all the attention. Everyone does it different... I mix leftovers and yogurt in their breakfast feed.... Others wouldn't agree with that. Good luck!!!!

 

[lindalouly]

Don't give them oyster shell until they start laying!!!! Almost forgot to tell you.

 

[Ballerina Bird]

What other treats are acceptable?

It's very true that everyone does it differently. I am a big fan of giving them scrambled eggs, though again, not too much. The protein is good for them, and they would be eating eggs in the wild. I always scramble the egg before giving to them, never giving them raw egg because I don't want to give them any ideas about pecking at their eggs.

Re acceptable treats, this site is good about maintaining lists of plants and produce that are harmful or poisonous, so if you are nervous about that (I was nervous about it at the beginning), it might be helpful to look at those. Don't freak yourself out though -- while such lists can seem overwhelming, in general, if something isn't good for them, they won't approach it on their own. My example is milkweed, which I had planted pre-chickens to attract monarchs but turns out to be bad for chickens. I have never seen them go near it. But if you offer them something from your hand, they are often likely to try it, especially if you have been handling them and they are accustomed to that, so you want to make sure you are offering them safe things. Basically, when I first had mine, anytime I had a new treat to consider offering, I would just type in here "Is x safe for chickens?" and there was always a thread with lots of helpful info.

 

[JacksHomestead]

It's very true that everyone does it differently. I am a big fan of giving them scrambled eggs, though again, not too much. The protein is good for them, and they would be eating eggs in the wild. I always scramble the egg before giving to them, never giving them raw egg because I don't want to give them any ideas about pecking at their eggs.

Re acceptable treats, this site is good about maintaining lists of plants and produce that are harmful or poisonous, so if you are nervous about that (I was nervous about it at the beginning), it might be helpful to look at those. Don't freak yourself out though -- while such lists can seem overwhelming, in general, if something isn't good for them, they won't approach it on their own. My example is milkweed, which I had planted pre-chickens to attract monarchs but turns out to be bad for chickens. I have never seen them go near it. But if you offer them something from your hand, they are often likely to try it, especially if you have been handling them and they are accustomed to that, so you want to make sure you are offering them safe things. Basically, when I first had mine, anytime I had a new treat to consider offering, I would just type in here "Is x safe for chickens?" and there was always a thread with lots of helpful info.

Thanks , i knew about the raw egg thing and that sounds about right that if your offering it by hand they will be more optimistic if they like you haha

 

[MeepBeep]

1. Do you change the water daily or wait till it needs to be filled?

No I use a 55 gallon drum, it last 5 days... it also has a float valve in it so I can leave a hose attached and it will self fill if I choose...

2. I want to know if you put in certain seeds, grains, supplements, grit, and treats etc.

My birds get a lot of extra foods, fresh fruits and vegetables every day as well as other misc treats...

3.  Do you mix scratch in with their feed or just simply toss it in the run for them to find?

I find mixing it in the food causes a lot a waste, the birds will dig through the food for the treats and toss the good food on the ground...

4.  Do you change up the feed for different times of the year like summer vs winter?

Nope

5. When should i provide the chicks with grit??

Technically a bird eating commercial feeds with no solid grains does not need grit as the food it already processed, so a chick a commercial chick starter feed does not necessary need grit, but many add it just because, they can have it from day one...

Nothing wrong with offering grit, it's natural to them so even if they don't technically need it it won't hurt...

6. How do you store your feed?

Steel garbage cans out of the weather... Steel cans can be used in a shed or other shelter without worries of rodents getting in...

7. What brand do you use?

Loaded question, I don't really stick to one brand, I get what I can where I can when it's convenient and the price is right... Lately that has been a lot of the ManaPro from Walmart, a mix of their HOG14 and layer feed as to dilute the calcium in the layer feed since I have a mixed flock... If I get to the local feed store with their early closing hours I will get an 'All Flock' feed....

8. What treats do you give them?

I have a hookup at a local grocery store, I get to pick over all the damaged or day old fresh produce, as well as other day old items they are tossing out for the day before they toss it in the garbage... So my birds get a constant variety of stuff, always fresh fruits and vegetables, sometimes breads other times dairy products like yogurt or cottage cheese, cereals, grains or whatever...

9. Do you feed laying hens differently?

I have a mixed flock, so they all get fed the same, and there is always an offering of oyster shells for the hens to self supplement their calcium...

10. Have you noticed what changes the yolk color?

Dark leafy greens like spinach, kale, collard greens, brussel sprouts, and broccoli to name a few will turn the yolk a deeper orange...

 

[MeepBeep]

Don't give them oyster shell until they start laying!!!! Almost forgot to tell you.

Birds are actually pretty good at self regulation of calcium levels, if it's offered as a side and not mixed into the food where they have no choice, the pullets and roos will almost always avoid it, just taking a taste here and there...

 

[Ballerina Bird]

Thanks , i knew about the raw egg thing and that sounds about right that if your offering it by hand they will be more optimistic if they like you haha

LOL! Chickens are a hilarious combination of "scared of everything" and "eternally optimistic." It is very endearing.