What to feed my chicks?!?

[leellac]

I want them to b as organic as possible. Right now I am feeding scratch and pellets. I don't eat wheat grains or corn so I'm not sure I want them eating scratch...any suggestions on what I should feed them?!?

 

[Kevin565]

How old are they?

 

[leellac]

4 months...only have them for eggs...not going to eat them...they r too cute. But I want my eggs to b as organic as possible...

 

[GreenMountainEric]

Feed them an organic Layer ration. Skip the scratch, unless you need to loosen litter. The layer rations are designed to be a total diet product. Throw them a treat here and there, and let them forage. Leave some free choice oyster shell kicking around and you are all set.

 

[leellac]

Thanks. I do a lot of vegetable juicing so they fet lots of veggie scraps and fruit scraps. I have also been trying there shells, smashing them and letting them eat that. Is yhat good or bad?!?

 

[GreenMountainEric]

Thanks. I do a lot of vegetable juicing so they fet lots of veggie scraps and fruit scraps. I have also been trying there shells, smashing them and letting them eat that. Is yhat good or bad?!?

That is all good things that you can do, just avoid letting it be a large part of their total diet. (more than 25-35% or so)

 

[ChickensRDinos]

If they are 4 months I am assuming they have not started laying yet. If you decide to feed layer I would not start until they have ALL started laying. I would not feed layer if you have a roo.

I feed an organic grower 20% protein to all of my birds at all life stages. I keep oyster shell on the side. I also grow my own fodder mix of barley, wheat and BOSS and farm my own mealworms.

If you are going to give them lots of scraps I would recommend considering a higher protein food to keep the nutrition balanced.

 

[leellac]

I have had them on layer pellets and scratch since I got them about a month ago...only things I could get where I live...about out so inquiring minds want to know what to buy next

 

[GreenMountainEric]

I have had them on layer pellets and scratch since I got them about a month ago...only things I could get where I live...about out so inquiring minds want to know what to buy next

As a general rule, you shouldn't start layer feed till 18 weeks, or onset of lay. Feeding them layer at 16 weeks is ok, as their bodies are able to process the extra calcium at that age. In the future, avoid layer feed at younger ages. If they are too young, you will negatively effect their ability to form a proper bone structure.

 

[leellac]

Oops...what should I have been feeding them until now? And why not feed layer if I have a rooster. Don't have one yet, but will have in a few days....so I could just get the organic grower instead of layer pellets?