Chickens are known for being the trash collector in the barnyard.They like to eat scraps, grains and store bought feed, but their nutrition is always in a delicate balance.High calcium levels are required for egg layers and higher levels for chickens.As your chickens grow and develop, you should change their food.
Step 1: Chickens should not be fed food within one hour of birth.
When they are one day old, start them on regular feed.
Step 2: A mixture of one gallon water and one-fourth cup sugar should be given to newborn chick's.
Terramycin is used to treat infections.
Step 3: A starter feed is available from a supply store.
20 percent of the mix should be higher than the amount you will feed older chickens.Start with a starter feed from day one.
Step 4: If your chicks have suffered from coccidiosis in the past, you should consider purchasing a starter.
Unmedicated starter feed is the best choice if they have been shot.
Step 5: It's best to set aside about 30 lbs.
Step 6: You can change the starter feed to grower feed at a feed supply store.
The level should be in the 16 percent range.Up to 20 percent of the bird's feed can be used for meat.
Step 7: When your chickens are 10 weeks old or bigger, you should start giving them small kitchen scraps.
Since they are small, they will replace part of the grower feed.Chickens can eat toast, cereals, biscuits, corn, noodles and even meat.
Step 8: There is a bowl of grit nearby.
The chickens digest food.Free-range chickens don't need grit as they find plenty of things in the ground that help them digest their food, and purchased feed is already mixed for adequate digestion.
Step 9: Don't feed chickens anything before 18 weeks.
The chicken's life span can be reduced due to the calcium content.
Step 10: Chickens eat only during the day.
It's a good idea to cover leftover food at night.There is a chance that you will attract bugs, mice, rats and other creatures if you don't cover the food.
Step 11: Feed your laying hens at 20 weeks of age.
If you want to promote better eggshells, you can use layer feed, which has up to 2 percent more calcium and moreProtein than all-purpose feed.You need 18 to 24 lbs.A week's worth of feed for 10 chickens.The choice is up to you, you can purchase layer feed in pellet, mash or crumble forms.Provide the hens with more calcium if the eggs turn soft.It is common for a hens first egg to be a bit unusual such as double yolks and soft shells.
Step 12: Provide calcium in a bowl.
The calcium can be increased by crushed eggshells.Don't mix the calcium into the feed.
Step 13: Your layers should be given limited treats each week.
Pumpkin and pumpkin seeds are the healthiest treats.Provide a bowl of food to help them digest it.
Step 14: In the winter, supplement a chicken's diet with "scratch".
They eat more when it is cold.Corn, oats, wheat and other grains are used to make scratch.It should only be given in limited quantities and taken away in the summer.
Step 15: Don't feed your chickens raw eggs, sugar, chocolate, onion, garlic, lawn mower clippings, or raw green potato peel.
These are not good for chickens.
Step 16: Allow your chickens to play.
Young plants can increase nutrition.lawns sprayed with pesticides or featuring only one type of grass can take the place of more healthy food sources.The benefits of having your chickens outside are that they don't need to be fed and most of their diet is made up of the things they find inside the grass and ground.
Step 17: Purchase starter for meat chickens when they are six weeks old.
This is not the same as a layer starter.It has between 20 and 24 percent of a substance.You will need between 30 and 50 lbs.Broiler starter for 10 chickens.
Step 18: Chickens can be fed from six weeks to slaughter.
The content is between 16 and 20 percent.You will need between 16 and 20 lbs.Feed for 10 birds.
Step 19: It's a good idea to give your chickens food at night and in the day.
Feed and light are given to birds that are bred for meat, to encourage them to eat more.Near the end of their lives, you may choose to do this.