Commercial feeds are balanced nutritionally for each stage of growth and to maintain health and production. However, if you look at the labels you’ll see that the ingredients aren’t much different; it’s the ratio that matters, particularly for protein.
Scratch grains, such as oats, corn and barley are low in protein but high in calories, and as such aren’t balanced feeds. However, they can help alleviate boredom by providing a more natural way of eating.
Toss scratch grains into the coop only after your chickens have eaten their morning meal. Put out only enough grain for them to eat in 20 minutes.
Feeding Tips
An average laying hen will need around 4 ounces of feed a day, but it’s difficult to portion out feed for each chicken, especially if you have a mixed coop of breeds. However, since chickens self-regulate, you can feed free
choice. And don’t forget to put out fresh water every day.
A chicken’s natural tendency is to scratch around on the ground to find their food. If you place your feeder on the floor, chances are they will tip it over. Either hang your feeder or set it on a platform (such as a cinder block) so that it’s at the level of the chicken’s back. Put out enough feeders so that everyone can eat at once.
Chickens need grit to “chew” their food. If you feed a balanced diet or if you’re chickens are pasture raised (they can find rocks and grit themselves), grit isn’t necessary. However, if you’re feeding grain, grass clippings, or table scraps you’ll need to augment with grit.
Commercial grit is cheap and goes a long way. Offer it in a small bowl and your hens can help themselves. Oyster shell isn’t the same as grit because it’s too soft, however it’s good for digestion.
Awisely chosen commercial feed, augmented with some fun snacks, will help your chickens look and feel their best. Sharon Biggs Waller is the recipient of the Friends of American Writers Literature Award, the author of The Original Horse Bible and the novels A Mad, Wicked Folly; The Forbidden Orchid; and Girls on the Verge. She lives on a hobby farm in the Midwest. Find her at www.sharonbiggswaller.com.