What do I feed my Chicks? Pt.2
Good morning!
Okay, let’s talk about different types of chicken feed. When I start my chicks out, while they are in the brooder stage, meaning they will be under a heat lamp in a box, pen or crate for the first 4-6 weeks depending on the breed, I use a medicated chick starter crumble. I use the medicated crumble for the first couple of weeks. So why do I do this? Well, medicated chick starter has a “coccidiostat” included in it.
A coccidiostat is an antiparasitic medication used to prevent and treat coccidiosis, a parasitic infection that primarily affects poultry and other livestock. Coccidiostats are commonly added to animal feed to prevent coccidiosis. They are particularly important in poultry, sheep and goat production, where coccidiosis can be especially nasty because of the small size of the animal.
So, just a side note. Anytime you bring new animals into your flock or heard, you should have a place to quarantine those animals AWAY from your main heard or flock for at least 1-2 weeks so that you can monitor for any signs of sickness that needs to be treated before going into the general population.
After one or two weeks if all the chicks are looking good and you are providing a sanitary environment you can convert over to a non-medicated chick “grower”. This is where your chickens will start growing into mature hens that will eventually lay eggs. Switching from starter to grower feed at this point will give them what they need to grow and thrive.
Ok, so I know I mentioned a starter and a grower, let’s talk about that.
Chick starter feed is a specialized diet for baby chicks that's high in protein and finely ground to help them digest. It's designed for the first 2-3 weeks of a chick's life. When choosing a chick starter feed, look for one that has at least 18% protein. And as I mentioned some chick starter feeds also contain medication to help prevent coccidiosis.
Grower feed for chickens is a transitional feed given to chicks once they reach around 6 weeks old, containing a lower protein level than starter feed, designed to support steady growth as they mature towards adulthood, typically with a protein content between 16-18%. Now you can also get this in a medicated formula, however if you are on top of your animal husbandry, you are unlikely to need it.
Now there are three types of feed you can buy for your chickens, so lets look at those.
Crumbles
Chicken crumbles are a type of poultry feed that consists of small, broken-down pieces of pellets, essentially a crushed pellet form, making it easier for chickens to eat compared to whole pellets, and often used for young chicks or smaller breeds due to their size and consistency; they are made from the same basic ingredients as pellets but are processed further to create the crumbled texture, making it easier for young chicks or small breeds to eat, considered more palatable, and can provide a more even distribution of nutrients
Depending on the chicken's age and needs, you can find "starter crumbles" for chicks, "grower crumbles" for growing chickens, and "layer crumbles" for laying hens.
When choosing between crumble and pellets for chickens, crumbles are generally considered better for young chicks or smaller chickens as they are easier to eat due to their softer texture, while pellets are preferred for adult chickens as they minimize waste and provide more consistent nutrition; the choice ultimately depends on your chicken's age and feeding habits, with both options providing the same nutrients when chosen appropriately.
Pellets
Pelleted feed is comprised of finely ground ingredients that are compressed together through a die to form small, dense pellets, creating a uniform and consistent feed that is easier to handle and reduces waste by preventing ingredient separation; it's commonly used for livestock and offers advantages like improved feed efficiency and reduced dust compared to loose mash feed.
Scratch Feed
Chicken scratch feed is a mixture of whole grains, like corn, wheat, barley, oats, and sometimes seeds like sunflower seeds, that chickens are meant to "scratch" around in the ground to find and eat, essentially acting as a treat that encourages their natural foraging behavior; it should not be their primary food source as it lacks complete nutritional value compared to regular chicken feed but is a great treat for them.
Well, moving on….
What? You say I’m missing something? Kitchen scraps? O…K…
Let’s talk about giving your chickens kitchen scraps. It is a great TREAT for your birds but should not replace their daily feed ration. Why? Because our leftovers do not provide sufficient daily nutrition for your birds. Let me put it to you this way, you may have a good treat as a snack during the day, but it won’t replace breakfast, lunch and dinner, well it’s the same way with your birds.
I know it is popular and trendy in the “prepper/homesteader” YouTube videos for these hardened homesteaders to espouse that “I have been raising chickens for 10 years on nothing but compost and scraps”. Simply put, they are either lying or have sickly birds that don’t live long happy lives. If you are raising chickens for cheap eggs, just go buy them. Guys people can make you think whatever through the power of editing, but having at one time been a youtuber myself and knowing personally several, there are some that are great sources of info and some are just straight up grifters. I’ll stop there…
When I switch my hens over to layer feed, I switch to pellets. I’ve found they are much less messy and less goes to waste. The chickens protested right away, but now they seem to love the pellets just as well.If you’re raising meat chickens, you need to feed them meat bird food their entire (albeit short!) life. This will cause them to grow rapidly to produce meat within about 6 weeks.
Grit
Chicken grit is a small, hard substance that helps chickens digest their food. Chickens don't have teeth, so grit helps break down food. Don’t get to crazy with it, put some in a tray or in their feed, I generally just broadcast it out on the ground.
Types of chicken grit
Insoluble grit
Made from flint or granite, this grit doesn't dissolve in water or a chicken's stomach. It's retained in the gizzard to help digest other tough foods.
Soluble grit
Made from calcium-based materials like limestone, crushed oyster shells, or mussel shells. This grit helps form strong eggshells.
In the end guys just make sure you are feeding a complete chicken diet which should include a good balance of protein (around 16-18%), carbohydrates from grains like wheat, essential vitamins and minerals like calcium, vitamin D, and a variety of probiotics, ensuring they receive a good mix of nutrients for healthy growth and egg production; with the most important components being protein, calcium, and a balanced mix of food based ingredients not chemicals.
Any questions, comments or concerns? You can reach me at thenolackfarm@outlook.com.
Until next time, Stay strong in your faith, love your family and support your local community farmers!
And remember those who fear God will Lack nothing! Psalm 34:9
Kevin
