Backyard Chicken Feeding Guide: Dos and Don’ts
Philip Drummy Keeping backyard chickens is a rewarding experience, whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or just starting out. Proper nutrition is crucial in ensuring your feathered friends stay healthy and productive.
In this guide, we’ll explore the essential dos and don’ts of feeding your backyard chickens to help you provide them with balanced and nutritious meals.
Basic Nutrients for Chickens
Chickens require a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients to thrive. A typical diet should include protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Protein is especially important for feather growth, egg production, and overall health. Ensure their feed contains around 16-18% protein for layers and 20-22% for growing chicks.
Life Stage Nutrition
Adjusting your chickens’ diet according to their life stage is crucial. Chicks need a higher protein content initially, while laying hens require calcium-rich diets to support eggshell formation. On the other hand, broilers need diets tailored for rapid growth.
Understanding the nutritional needs of different chickens will ensure optimal health and productivity.
Commercial Feed Options
Commercial chicken feeds come in various forms: pellets, crumbles, and mash. Pellets are convenient and reduce waste, while mash and crumbles are easier for young chicks to consume.
On the other hand, it’s important to choose feeds formulated specifically for layers or broilers to meet their nutritional requirements.
Kitchen Scraps: What’s Safe and What to Avoid
While chickens enjoy kitchen scraps, not all are safe. As much as possible, avoid feeding them anything salty, sugary, or fatty.
Some of the safer options include vegetable trimmings, fruit peels, and cooked grains. Never feed them avocado, chocolate, or anything spoiled or mouldy, as these can be toxic.
Grit and Oyster Shells: Importance for Digestion and Shell Strength
Chickens lack teeth, so they need grit to help grind their food in the gizzard for digestion. Make sure to offer insoluble grit like small stones or coarse sand. Oyster shells also provide calcium for strong eggshells.
Always keep these essentials available in separate containers for free-choice consumption.
How Much and How Often to Feed
Make sure to feed chickens according to their age and purpose. Adult chickens typically need about 1/4 to 1/3 pound (0.11 – 0.15 kgs) of feed per day.
In addition, you should also adjust amounts based on their activity level and supplement with treats sparingly. Be sure to provide fresh water at all times, especially during hot weather.
Common Feeding Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Avoid these common mistakes to ensure your chickens remain healthy:
- Overfeeding: Excessive feed leads to obesity and health issues.
- Poor Storage: Store feed in a cool, dry place to prevent mould and contamination. To ensure cleanliness and proper temperature control, it’s important to have a quality chicken house. If you’re not adept at making chicken coops and runs, you can look for reliable sellers in Australia that have chook pens, chicken cages, and chicken coops for sale.
- Inadequate Water: Lack of water affects digestion and egg production.
- Neglecting Supplements: Ensure access to grit and oyster shells for optimal health.
By following these guidelines, you can provide your backyard chickens with a balanced and nutritious diet that supports their health, egg production, and overall well-being. Whether you’re new to chicken keeping or looking to improve your current practices, focusing on proper nutrition ensures happy, healthy chickens in your backyard.
