Knowing what to feed your chickens from the day they hatch all the way to adulthood is significant for having good for you chicken and alimental eggs . poulet have feed requisite and a listing of treats that are okay to eat on . Some foods that may seem just fine for chickens may potentially be toxic . So in this article , we ’ll search what chickens eat and what you should never feed them .
What feed should chickens eat?
wimp have unlike dietary indigence during each level of growth , from dame to pullet to hen / rooster . In this surgical incision , we ’ll go over the type of feed you need to provide to chickens depending on their age .
Day-old chicks
When your chicks arenewly hatchedand commence to scratch and nag , they involve to be feed a chick - specific provender . This feed typically has a protein percentage of between 20 and 24 % . Do n’t feed them anything lower than 20 % protein . you may opt between medicated and non - medicated feed , depending on whether or not your chicks have been vaccinated against usual diseases . This feed should be supplied until they are 6 workweek old .
Pullets
Once your day - old chick have reached 6 calendar week old , they are no longer considered chicks but are give a new designation : pullet . A pullet is a chicken between the ages of 6 to around 16 weeks old . Pullets in that window of time should be fed a small protein frier agriculturalist feed , which usually control 16 - 18 % protein but has less calcium than an adult stratum feed . You need to avoid eat teen wimp too much calcium , as their bodies do not need it yet for egg production and kidney terms can lead .
Adults
Chickens give adulthood at different ages , count on the strain . Some begin laying as former as 16 weeks , others wait until 20 weeks or long . It ’s crucial that you transition your specific breed of wimp over to an grownup stratum provender at the appropriate age , so do your research ! An grownup hen layer feed typically contains 16 - 18 % protein and more calcium than the pullet feed , helping to build strong shells .
A note on free-ranging
In addition to an geezerhood - appropriate feed , grownup poulet should be leave to range free in a safe , insert section of your property . Here , they can dust bathe , deplete locoweed , bugs , and just live their lives as well-chosen poulet . As Joel Salatin often says , chickens that are allowed to be chickens try out like chicken . Their eggs and marrow gustatory modality comfortably . Let your razzing have that innocent space !
What treats can chickens eat?
Foods should you avoid
There are a act of foods you should head off feed your chickens that range from potentially harmful to toxic . In this section , we ’ll cover these serious intellectual nourishment you should ward off feeding .
Potentially hazardous foods
Common kitchen scraps that are toxic to chickens
Common plants that are toxic to chickens
