Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 11: Chicken Nutri Feeds and Feeding Chickens
Different Chicken Feeds
Chick Starter:
You usually feed the chicks this chick starter until they are about 6 weeks old. Egg/meat
chickens will have broiler feed which will make them grow fast. Some farmers will feed
their flock on chicken scratch until they are ready to lay at about 4 to 6 months. They will
then feed them lay mash or pellets.
Chicken Scratch:
This is a mix of whole grains like, oats, wheat rye and corn. The corn or maize should be
cracked before mixing in scratch feed. In commercial brands, there will be more corn and
maize in the mix. You can make your own blend and keep it in the fridge to keep it fresh. It
will last up to a month.
Greens:
These are leafy vegetables like spinach, kale and lettuce. They should be cut up and fed to
the chickens daily. They will provide lots of vitamins and minerals, including calcium which
is very important for laying hens.
Soybeans:
This will provide extra protein for the chickens. It is good for all layers and meat birds.
Pellets:
Pellets can be fed to the birds when they are 8 weeks and over. A mother bird will break
these up for the small chickens but you can start by breaking them up in the first week.
Layer Mash:
Instead of pellets some farmers like to give laying birds this ground up type of feed. This
layer feed will have more calcium for stronger shells in hens that are bred for laying. It will
also have added protein.
Premix:
This is a mix of all the vitamins, minerals, medications and nutrients that a chicken will
need. They are made for chicks, layers and broilers. This feed has everything mixed in it.
Fish Meal:
