Chicken feed

[Jerrymac]

So here in a few weeks I guess I am going to have to switch feed for the chickens. I guess since I am looking to get eggs I will have to go with some layer formula stuff. But as all the chickens are running around together, I guess the roosters will be eating this same stuff also.   

[Robo]

It doesn't hurt him.  My chickens, rooster and guineas all eat the layer (and the dogs too if they can get away with it).

[poka-bee]

My guinea Ginny also does fine w/layer.  My dog found a way into where the feeder is & went through 25lbs in a week   She is fine but wheewweeee, I didn't dare light any matches around her!!   Jody

[SgtMaj]

The only difference between the growing formula, and the laying formula, is the protein/carb/fat ratios.

Something I like to do in the fall, when it's starting to cool off, is to use the leftover oil from the deep fryer that I save the rest of the year, and fry the feed in it until it's all used up.  The extra fat helps them put on some weight for the winter.  Plus it keeps me from having to let all that oil go to waste (waste not, want not).

As far as laying goes... if you ever eat shrimp for dinner, and have to peel the shells off the shrimp, give those shrimp shells to the chickens.  The eggs are like, 1000 times better for a few weeks after they eat a shrimp dinner.

[EasternShore]

Don't forget to feed them Chicken Scratch as well. Mostly corn and wheat and they love it. Don't use alot. It seems to faatten them up and I've noticed all my birds feathers have gotten better color.

I just started this after my friend suggested it.

[Jerrymac]

These guys love corn. Any kind of corn. Open a can of corn and throw it out there and they are all over it. Dried cracked corn. Been eating corn on the cob? Throw it out there and they will pick it clean. Shuck a raw ear of corn and they clean it up also.

[poka-bee]

It's also fun to give em melons or pumpkins, they eat it smooth right down to a shell Jody

[randydrivesabus]

watching them go after mice can be entertaining too...like those violent scenes from nature shows.