What to feed in the UK

[pepparaaraa]

Hi all,

My chicks are about 9 weeks old and seemed to be getting bored of the starter feed. I've tried some other bits and so far only found a real love for raisins! They go crazy for them.

Anyway I currently only can find grower and layer pellets to move on from. I know grower will be fine but what can I use in the UK instead of layer pellets (I have a rooster too) and where can I buy?

Lastly what does the extra calcium from layers pellets do to a rooster?

Thanks in advance.

 

[chiques chicks]

If they seem bored with the feed, try moistening it. I ferment my feed and the chickens love it. Do a search for fermented feed.

I wouldn't overdo the raisins, lots of sugar that isn't good for them.

I just let my roosters eat layer feed. They don't need the calcium, but I refuse to try to feed them separately. It doesn't seem to hurt them.

Just my opinion.

 

[pepparaaraa]

Yeah they are just a treat but thanks for reminding me about the sugar!
I just don't want to do him any harm with the layers pellets, how long have yours been on layers?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

If they seem bored with the feed, try moistening it. I ferment my feed and the chickens love it. Do a search for fermented feed.

I wouldn't overdo the raisins, lots of sugar that isn't good for them.

I just let my roosters eat layer feed. They don't need the calcium, but I refuse to try to feed them separately. It doesn't seem to hurt them.

Just my opinion.

As an alternative solution that does not put the long-term health of your roosters at risk, or require separate feeding, is to feed the entire flock a grower ration and offer oyster shell for calcium to be used by those birds who use it. Not only is this better for the rooster(s) but also for those hens who are not actively producing eggs at any given time due to age, molt, broodiness, illness, etc-- no need to "feed separately" as this offers one diet that is better for all the birds involved.

 

[chiques chicks]

As an alternative solution that does not put the long-term health of your roosters at risk, or require separate feeding, is to feed the entire flock a grower ration and offer oyster shell for calcium to be used by those birds who use it.  Not only is this better for the rooster(s) but also for those hens who are not actively producing eggs at any given time due to age, molt, broodiness, illness, etc-- no need to "feed separately" as this offers one diet that is better for all the birds involved.

Excellent point! I feed layer because it's cheaper here than flock raiser. I do ferment and add scratch to the ferment mix. I know my protein level is off, but I switched to this method a couple years ago and have had no problems, probably due to the amount of bugs and extra protein they get outside.

My oldest rooster is four years.

 

[pepparaaraa]

Plain porridge has been a hit today... Hope that's okay!! I do worry I will feed them something they shouldn't have but I did check a chart and think I saw this was okay. 2 of them polished a bowl off after being petrified of the strange thing in the run at first

 

[chiques chicks]

I'm not a good person to talk about "proper chicken keeping". I break a lot of rules, my feed ratio is wrong, my protection from predators inadequate, my husbandry lacking.

Chickens are very adaptable. Many raise them as pets, some as barnyard scavengers. I fall somewhere in between. I do know they will eat whatever is available if they are hungry. It is natural instinct to survive. I wouldn't worry a lot about eating less for a day or two. They will eat the regular food when they are hungry. Much like children, they will try to wait it out and get what they like, even if it isn't the best thing for them.

 

[pepparaaraa]

Thanks for the fermenting tip, they loved it.
They also are happily eating the grower feed