What to do when out of chicken feed?

[Random Fluffy Chicken]

Heya, I recently ran out of chicken feed. I don’t have pellets, only scratch, which I heard isn’t supposed to be fed everyday and is like junk food for chickens. I heard that rice is good, and so is corn. Anything else that can be used as a substitute until the feed arrives?

 

[arwoon]

Heya, I recently ran out of chicken feed. I don’t have pellets, only scratch, which I heard isn’t supposed to be fed everyday and is like junk food for chickens. I heard that rice is good, and so is corn. Anything else that can be used as a substitute until the feed arrives?

Good thing you started a thread bout this b/c I'm in the same situation!

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Is there a reason you can't just run to the feed store to grab an emergency bag?

 

[chickentrains]

Is there a reason you can't just run to the feed store to grab an emergency bag?

Probably don't want to spend money when there is stuff on the way

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

For a day or two, scratch, corn, and rice may suffice...I wouldn’t go longer than that and I’d supplement with whatever food scraps and greens/weeds you can...plus some protein If possible.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Honestly if I could not (not didn't want to, actually could not) get more feed, i would try to give them a bit of the grains, some plant matter (berries or vegetables or fruit in the fridge) and some cooked meat (like chicken breast or ground hamburger). Nothing with added salt though

 

[BlueBaby]

I just bought 3 of the 50# bag's of the layer pellet's at my local feed store this afternoon. Even Walmart sell's the smaller bag's of chicken feed now.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

If I literally had no other choice, I’d feed them scratch grain, but my flock free ranges and can supplement anyways. I have a huge bucket full of meal works that I’d use too. Without mealworms or free ranging, I’d still probably use scratch if it was just going to be for a day or two. If you had any eggs you can coop those up, or if you have some meat in the fridge you need to use up, you can feed them a little of that.

 

[Random Fluffy Chicken]

My chooks have always been allowed to free-ranged since a couple of years ago so there's access to plenty of grass, clovers, some worms if they dig some up, and other edible plants so hopefully it will be fine. If I could, I would go and get some feed from the stores, but I am not able to. The feed could come as early as tomorrow so I'll just have to make do with the stuff available till then. Thanks for the suggestions everyone

 

[Dottie the Chicken]

If you do feed rice, make sure that you fully cook it first. You don't want it expanding in their stomachs.