The Crofts Hens - Guide to Feeding Chickens
Like 2 Dislike 0 Published on 11 Dec 2016
A quick guide to how I feed my chickens.
Summary:
- Growers pellets: These are packed with extra protein to help the chickens grow. They should be available to the birds all day long, as they will only eat as much as they need. I use a hanging feeder, which reduces the chances of food being spilt on the ground or contaminated by droppings. A weather hat is useful for keeping the contents of the feeder dry. Feeders should be removed at night so that rodents aren't attracted to the feed. Bags of feed should be stored in cool, dry rodent-proof bins. When all of the chickens have started to lay I will substitute growers pellets for layers pellets.
- Vegetables: There is always broccoli and cabbage hanging in the chicken run. The chickens peck at these whenever they like. Chickens can be fed most types of fruit and vegetables, but should not be given potato or tomato leaves. They will happily eat many types of garden plants/weeds, but if you're unsure it's best to check in a book/web beforehand.
- Grit: Grit needs to be available all the time. The birds have access to two types of grit - flint grit, which is insoluble and used inside their bodies for grinding up food, and oyster shell grit, which is soluble and provides calcium for healthy egg shell production.
- Whole wheat: This is fed as a scratch food in the afternoon. Sprinkle a small handful per bird on the ground and they will scratch it up and eat it. Avoid using more than is necessary, as any residual wheat may attract rodents. Mixed corn can be used in a similar way, but has the disadvantage that the birds will only pick out the bits they like (e.g. the fattening maize).
- Mealworms: These are given as treats once in a while. The chickens absolutely go crazy for them. They are a good source of protein, but also contain a fair bit of fat. If you plan on selling your eggs (here in the UK) then you should not feed your chickens any animal products. Meal worms are useful for nursing ill birds back to health.
- Cat food: Chickens do enjoy a bit of meat once in a while. Any mouse of frog that gets into the chicken run is on borrowed time, as it will invariably get pecked to death and devoured. If the chickens need a protein boost, then cat food is a good choice (note: dog food can also be used at a push, but sparingly as it contains less protein and more salt). Bear in mind my earlier comment about selling the eggs.
Kitchen scraps: I don't feed the chickens scraps from the kitchen, but many people do. Most vegetable material is fine. Avoid giving them any processed meat, as it contains a lot of salt and will invariably attract rodents.
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