Learn What To Feed Your Chickens

Feeding your chickens the right diet is crucial to their health, productivity, and overall well-being. While it may be tempting to feed them homemade mixes or kitchen scraps, this can lead to significant nutritional deficiencies. The best way to ensure your chickens receive all the essential nutrients is by providing a complete diet specifically formulated for their age and nutrient requirements. Below is an overview of the types of feed suited for chickens at various life stages, along with best feeding practices and tips on what to avoid.

Types of Chicken Feed for Different Life Stages

• Starter Feed: Designed for chicks from day one until around six weeks of age, starter feed is high in protein to support rapid growth. It’s available in either a mash or crumble form.
• Grower Feed: Between 6 to 18 weeks, chickens should transition to grower feed, which has a slightly lower protein content but still supports healthy growth.
• Layer Feed: Once your chickens start laying eggs, they need a layer feed that is rich in calcium to support eggshell formation. This feed is suitable from around 18-20 weeks of age and should be their primary food source for the rest of their laying years.

Crumbles or Mash? Choosing the Right Texture

When it comes to feeding your chickens, the choice between crumbles and mash is largely a matter of personal preference. Chick starter mash and grower mash provide tailored nutrition for the different phases of growth. Crumbles, on the other hand, tend to be less wasteful as they don’t get kicked around as much as mash, and your chicks can eat the same feed from day one through 18 weeks. Whatever you choose, it’s best to stick with the same texture throughout their development to avoid digestive issues.

Best Feeding Practices for Poultry

• Consistency: Keep feeding times consistent. This helps reduce stress and ensures your chickens have a steady supply of nutrients.
• Cleanliness: Regularly clean feeders to prevent the buildup of mold and bacteria, which can make your chickens sick.
• Portion Control: Avoid overfeeding, which can lead to obesity and related health issues. Follow the recommended feeding guidelines on the feed packaging.
• Supplementing with Scratch Feed: Scratch feed, which is typically a mix of cracked corn and other grains, can be a great treat for chickens. However, it should only be offered as a supplement to their regular diet and not as a primary food source. Scratch feed is low in protein and high in energy, so limit it to about 10% of their daily intake.

The Importance of Water

Water is essential for chickens, playing a crucial role in digestion and egg production. Chickens need to have access to clean, fresh water at all times. A large chicken can drink 1 to 2 cups of water daily, depending on the weather. Because chickens drink in small increments, they need frequent access to water. Eggs are 65% water, and if a hen is deprived of water, even for a short time, her laying ability can be severely affected. Always ensure waterers are clean and free from debris to promote healthy consumption.

Feeding Broiler Chickens

Ages 0 – 8 Weeks

• Feed Ace Hi Quick Gro Crumbles or Kelley’s Chick Quick Gain until birds are at processing weight, around 8 weeks.

Feeding Egg Layers

Ages 0 – 8 Weeks

• Feed Ace Hi Chick Starter Mash or Kelley’s Chick Starter Mash. This feed is high in protein and is finely ground, allowing chicks to easily digest it. Chicks grow rapidly in the first 8 weeks of life and need a high protein feed.

Ages 8 – 18 Weeks

• Feed Ace Hi Grow Mash or Kelley’s Grow Mash. This feed is slightly lower in protein due to the slowing growth rate of chickens at this age. It is a little more coarsely ground and is a good transition from chick starter to their adult food.

OR

Ages 0 – 18 Weeks

• As an alternative feeding program, you can feed Ace Hi Starter/Grow Crumbles or Kelley’s Starter Grow Crumble from 0 to 18 weeks. Some chicken keepers prefer feeds in crumble form.

Ages 18+ Weeks

• Feed a Lay Feed like Ace Hi Big Feeder or Kelley’s All Purpose. Both brands are available as mash, crumble, and pellet, and have the protein, vitamins, and minerals that adult birds need. Lay feeds also have the calcium that hens need to produce strong egg shells.

What Not to Feed Your Chickens

While chickens can eat a variety of foods, some items should be avoided:

• Raw Beans: Contain toxins that are harmful to chickens.
• Avocado: The pit and skin contain persin, which can be toxic.
• Chocolate: Contains theobromine, which is toxic to chickens.
• Salty or Sugary Foods: These can lead to dehydration and other health problems.
• Spoiled or Moldy Food: Always avoid feeding spoiled food, as it can introduce harmful bacteria and toxins to your flock.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure your chickens are healthy, productive, and well-nourished.