Feeding Your Flock
tips for balanced poultry nutrition
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Tips for Providing Balanced Nutrition to Poultry
If you’ve just picked up a half dozen chicks at the farm store or are planning on dozens for an egg farm, knowing how to feed your flock balanced nutrition is essential to raising happy and healthy chickens. As your chicks flourish, their dietary needs evolve too. For example, chicks and adolescent chickens (pullets) need extra protein as they grow, while laying hens need more calcium to support strong eggshells.
That’s why it’s critical to select the right chicken feed. Choose feed tailored to meet the nutritional demands of your birds at each stage of their growth. Using the wrong type of feed can negatively impact your chickens’ bone development, eggshell quality, and overall health and behavior.
Feed Types: Mash, Crumbles or Pellets?
Another decision for poultry owners is choosing between mash, crumble, or pellet feed. There is not one right answer; choose what works best for you and your flock:
MASH
Mash feed has the finest particle size, making it a versatile option for birds of any age. However, one drawback to mash is that this fine feed is easy to spill which can cause waste of the product.
CRUMBLES
Crumbles offer a middle ground in poultry feed since it is larger than mash but smaller than pellets. They help ensure that growing chicks get the nutrients they need with each mouthful.
PELLETS
Pellet feed comes in several sizes and is designed so your birds consume all the ingredients in each bite, maximizing their nutritional intake. This form can reduce selective eating some chickens exhibit.
Different Life Stages, Different Nutritional Needs
We know chickens require specific nutrition tailored to their stages of life – and even seasons. Let’s talk about protein and calcium; two critical nutrients that need careful management.
Protein is a crucial building block for muscles, skin, bones, and feathers. It provides energy and is essential for a robust immune system. Baby chicks, in particular, require high protein levels because their bodies are developing bones and other tissues.
As chickens mature and begin laying eggs, their dietary needs shift. Excessive protein for fully grown laying hens can lead to weight gain and may adversely affect egg production. So, feeds for laying hens typically contain lower protein levels.
Calcium, on the other hand, is vital for laying hens. They need a high percentage of calcium, ranging from 3-4.5%, for strong eggshells and health while laying. To meet this need, layer feeds are often fortified with additional calcium, helping hens maintain optimal nutrition and increased egg production and quality throughout their laying period.
Healthy Feed Grows Healthy Chickens
Healthy chickens are active, curious, and alert. They are often foraging, scratching at the ground, and exploring their environment, making sounds throughout the day.
Feathers should be smooth, full, and clean. A healthy chicken regularly preens its feathers to keep them in good condition. Their eyes should be clear and bright without any cloudiness or discharge.
Your chickens should have a good appetite, eating and drinking regularly throughout the day. They also should have generally firm and consistent droppings. If your chickens are not exhibiting these behaviors consider changing their feed to a high quality poultry food to ensure the healthiest and happiest poultry possible.
Watch for coughing, sneezing, labored breathing, or nasal discharge, as these can be signs of respiratory issues. Isolate any sick birds from the rest of the flock.
How Do I Give My Chickens More Nutrients?
First, choose high-quality feed specifically formulated for the type of chickens you have, whether they’re layers, broilers, or chicks. The main feed should cover the essentials, but adding a variety of grains, fresh greens, and vegetables can boost the overall nutritional content, improve gut health, and keep your chickens happy.
Chickens naturally peck and scratch at the ground in search of grit and tasty treats like bugs and worms. While you’re providing your flock with a nutritionally complete feed, it’s important to remember that scratch grains such as wheat, oats, or corn are essentially supplemental treats. It’s also totally okay to offer your chickens fresh (chicken-safe) table scraps occasionally.
However, treats including both snacks and scratch should make up no more than 10% of your chickens’ diet. It’s best to scatter only as much as they can consume within 20 minutes. This approach helps maintain a balanced diet while allowing your chickens enrichment.
Water is vital for keeping chickens healthy, but it’s often a low priority. Chickens need about twice as much water as food by weight, so making sure they have enough clean water is absolutely essential for their well-being.
Keep Your Poultry Healthy & Happy
Feeding your flock properly is not just about providing enough food, but about supporting their health at every stage of their lives. It’s about understanding that what fuels their bodies affects their physical health and their happiness. The Star Milling Poultry Care Corner has more information on everything you need to know to support a happy and healthy flock.