What is this food?

[Rhys Cuff]

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• Rhys Cuff
• Dec 5, 2017
• 2

Hello

In this picture (ignore the layer pallets I mixed in) is food sold as complete free range chicken food for laying hens.

From what I’ve read this might be just scratch and not so good for complete feeding (that’s why I threw a few pallets in with it)

What are your thoughts?
Is it ok for a everyday diet for the birds?

It’s more expensive than the pellets so I thought it would be best.

My flock doesn’t seem to eat much of anything I put out really, they just peck all day long around the property.

Thanks

Rhys

 

[cavemanrich]

I'm sure the feed is good. Scratch is usually about 3 or 4 different grains with a large portion being cracked corn. Many peeps that prefer to feed organic feed choose such as you have there. The pellets feed is comprised of such grains, but milled and formed into pellets. They do add additional vitamins, and processed calcium. There is usually added protein, many times from meat-by products.
Read the label and see what the level of protein is. If 16%, or higher, then it should be sufficient for most use. Check level of calcium. If at 2% then offer oyster shells freechoice. I prefer 2% calcium feed (Alflock pellets) myself since not all of my chickens are laying at the same time. Layer feed is Ideal only for laying hens.
WISHING YOU BEST..... and

 

[cavemanrich]

Just wanted to add.... You do need to provide grit with this type of feed. That is why it is designated as free range feed. Free range chickens do pick up little stones and such from the ground. Oyster shells do provide grit, but it dissolves much easier inside chickens than grit that is specific for that purpose.

 

[Crooked Chicken]

Does look like ordinary scratch grains and birdseed mix. As Cavemenrich said -- it is always a good idea to provide separate cntainers with grit and oyster shell. Let the chickens decide how much and when they need it.

 

[rjohns39]

What's on the label? That's a good starting point. Looks kind of like my preferred feed, but the label will tell you what you need to know.

ETA: Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us

 

[Rhys Cuff]

Thanks for the reply's, I through out the bag but will grab another soon and see what the break down is.

Thanks again

Rhys

 

[Chickassan]

You could probably make that feed cheaper by just mixing your layer pellets with a nice birdseed mix. You will essentially have the same thing but at a lower cost and the chickens love it.

 

[Crooked Chicken]

My chickens get a bit of birdseed now and then too. Doesn't take much to make them happy.

 

[theoldchick]

Scratch feed usually looks like this:

Here is some organic scratch feed:

Wild bird feed mixture:

I use wild bird feed instead of scratch. Sometimes I mix scratch feed with wild bird seed. I feed it as a treat to my layer hens but I usually just feed the seed to the roosters and peacock with the usual addition of various table scraps and cat food kibble.

Though, if you buy enough feed, your local feed mix will mix your own special blend.