What do chickens eat?
Well, I’m definitely not an expert on this subject, but all my hens are alive with the exception of the one I lost to a hawk. For the first 8 weeks they eat Chick Starter, the next 8 weeks they eat Chick Starter/Grower and from then on they can eat Layer Crumbles or Pellets. It’s my understanding that the crumbles and the pellets are the same nutritionally. You can buy medicated feed or non-medicated. If you want to be totally organic, I guess you would buy the non-medicated feed. Just ask the feed company before you run your credit card, if you have a preference. If you are feeding them on the ground and not with a feeder, logically it stands to reason that pellets would be a little easier to pick up without a lot of waste. I feed my hens crumbles, because I have a feeder and I want them to be a pleasure, not a burden. I’m looking for the least amount of work and waste with the biggest return. I don’t want to have to make a special effort everyday to feed them. I would rather walk by
Chickens are omnivores with simple stomachs. That means they can and will eat both animal and vegetable products. In addition to foraged plants and insect, as caregivers, it is important to provide them with adequate protein in a form that is easily digested, especially if you’re growing chickens for market. Heritage Chickens need more protein than is in rations prepared for commercial chickens. ALBC recommends feeding for the first 16-18 weeks of age a ration containing 28% protein, most often found in Game Bird rations or Flock diets for turkeys and waterfowl. For adult birds, the feed protein level can be backed off to 18-20%. For breeding birds, make sure their diet consists of a quality diet formulated for breeders. Note that the typical layer pellet is an industrial breed ration that contains minimal calcium and often does not include sufficient vitamins and minerals to ensure high fertility and hatchability of eggs. If you are growing for market do not skimp on the food – ever.
