What do I feed my chickens?

[JacinLarkwell]

I knew you were off....JK.

Okay?....

 

[NatJ]

I just wanted to ask one question here. How many conversations are going on here?

Lots.

It all started with what is or is not good to feed chickens, and then several people started going into particular aspects in more detail.

This just happens sometimes on BackYardChickens. Some threads stay brief and on-topic, some wander all over. A few eventually turn into chat threads and get moved to the "Random Ramblings" section. This one is not ready for that yet--it is still mostly discussing what is or is not good food for chickens, and why, and how we can know that.

 

[Chicken Newbie07]

I just wanted to ask one question here. How many conversations are going on here? Is it about or are they about layer pellets? What to feed chickens and next feeding chickens chicken dinners? Or who got what degrees in what? And how easily digestible what feed is if it’s not chicken or whether to feed rabbit feed to rabbits or chickens? Next it will be whose on first and whose on second? I don’t even know who through the pitch at this rate. Good grief.

Best comment yet! All I wanted to share was how I feed my birds and this all happened. Idk

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Best comment yet! All I wanted to share was how I feed my birds and this all happened. Idk

Well, it is all about what people think should or shouldn't be fed to birds

 

[cmom]

Out of curiosity, do you give the birds any grit for their gizzards to grind the seeds and grains you are giving them?

 

[Chicken Newbie07]

Nice! I will watch the vid later. I wouldn't recommend feeding them chicken though, as it can lead to genetic diseases.

I only offer cooked chicken leftovers about 1–2 a month. As a family we typically finish our chicken dishes so I don’t always have any left. I never offer raw chicken, I think that’s were the problems start with diseases. Have you ever given your chickens either eggs or cooked chicken?

 

[Chicken Newbie07]

Out of curiosity, do you give the birds any grit for their gizzards to grind the seeds and grains you are giving them?

Because my chickens free range , and my run has natural grit like textures, I don’t need to buy grit. They have it naturally. I do crush oyster shells and even mussels shells with a brick into small pieces from time to time whenever we eat oysters. We have to remember that grit IS necessary but all grit is supposed to be is simple small stones that chickens instinctively pick up as they scratch around. People who keep their chickens in enclosures where these small stones are not available should provide it, but I find it a waste of money to literally buy rocks. Just how I feel.

 

[Chicken Newbie07]

Mine love chicken too (in small amounts because I like it more XD) and it horrified my friends to watch them swallow the bite in my hand

I’m glad I’m not the only one. I only offer cooked chicken and only when I have some leftover from dinner, which is maybe two to three times a month MAYBE. We tend to finish our chicken diners .

 

[Chicken Newbie07]

That's what I've been told anyhow. Never seriously thought about doing it though, as feeding chickens chicken seems so wrong XD.

I understand how you feel. I felt the same way back when I started raising chickens. But just know that cooked chicken is not harmful and it’s a great source of protein. As long as you do it in small portions every here and there, your flock will be fine and love their snack.

 

[Chicken Newbie07]

Maybe if you fed them infected meat from an obviously sick bird, but none of mine have ever gotten sick from eating chicken and I've done it for a decade as treats

Raw chicken NO.
Cooked chicken Is OK here and there.