What do you feed a chicken?

Answer 1

There are many bag feeds that feed stores sell for chickens. Your local feed store or pet shop can help you on one that is best for you and your pet.

It may sound odd, but feeding regular cheerios to your chicken is fine. Also, seeds and grain are good for them. Also, most non-citrus fruits and vegetables (apples, spinach, lettuce, khale, etc.)In AdditionFrom chick to adult

Here are some suggestions about feeding chickens from day one through to when they start laying eggs at about 5 to 8 months old and beyond

New chicks should be given a form of chick starter. This product is fine grained and easily digestible. Small mouths can only grab small feed and if the chicks cannot eat full size grains it will not thrive.

After the first two week or so the starter feed can be mixed with chick grower which is the same products in slightly large size.

At about week 6 the chicks are much larger and can be given chick builder and scratch, the builder has extra protein and fats while the scratch offers them a selection of various grains like wheat,oats,barley and corn.

When the chicks (now full size) are nearing egg laying age or 5 to 8 months they should be offered laying MASH along with scratch. Laying mash gives them extra calcium and even more protein.

Answer 2

They'll eat many left overs, they also need grain like wheat or barley etc. And roughage like small stones and ground up egg shels is VERY important for them. Whenever possible is is best to start your chicks out on a product like "chick starter".

All poultry suppliers have this available in various forms and it comes in Medicated and non medicated formulas. After about one month you can switch the feed over to a slightly larger grained "chick builder". This chick builder formula is good through to month five when a good layer pellet or mash is recommended.

Feed kitchen scraps as a treat, not as the sole source of nutrition as there may be nutrients missing and this can cause all sorts of vitamin deficiencies.

Free range hens will search for and eat just about everything moving and growing in the farmyard. As they forage and explore they will pick up various bits of minerals suitable for digestion.

As a general rule

Grains : Whole grains are best, soy, wheat, corn, oats, barley and rice but as a mix, not only one kind. Greens: Just about any green or leafy vegetation is suitable. There are some to avoid, like rhubarb,tomato, but the chickens will know and avoid them when other more tasty things are offered and available.

Protein: Chickens are omnivores and will eat meat. Bugs, flies and most anything that crawls. These are not readily available in the winter so it is important to feed them a commercial mix with a good protein source throughout those months.

Water: Clean fresh water daily. Do not give them water you would not drink yourself. Water is essential for life and they have no way to get it for themselves in most cases and will drink whatever is available when thirsty.

Answer 3

When the chicken is little, starter mix will do. Once they get older and start laying eggs, they need laying feed and preferable extra calcium grit. the calcium will help the egg to make the shell strong

Answer 4

Mostly grain, but for a treat you can give them greens (such as grass) or even things like partly rotten squashes or apples.