When raising chickens, selecting the appropriate feed is paramount to their wellbeing and happiness. Look for organic or non-GMO options when possible.
Consider how you will supplement their diet with scraps – this may affect protein and calcium levels in their system.
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Organic
Raising chickens comes with many options; whether for eggs, meat or both. If you choose organic practices when raising poultry, make sure your feed contains certified organic ingredients so you can ensure they receive optimal nutrition to sustain their body and mind.
If you want a high-quality organic chicken feed with abundant proteins, make sure it contains at least 20% protein content to promote strong and healthy birds. This will ensure that they remain robust over time.
Checking the corn and soy content of feed will also be essential. Both corn and soy are common fillers used in pet food; to find one free from these items is also important; allergies may require finding such feed as well.
Vegetarian
Commercial vegetarian chicken feeds do not typically include animal byproducts or chemical fertilizers; however, many still contain proteins derived from plants (soybean meal from processing these plants for oil), peas, lupins or even the remains of slaughtered animals; additionally chickens may supplement their diets with protein from insects and worms if possible. When selecting commercial vegetarian chicken food feed, make sure it contains high quality proteins for maximum effectiveness.
Alternately, you can mix your own homemade chicken feed. A layer ration is an ideal choice as it has been specifically tailored to support laying birds. Available as meal, crumble and pellet form and packed full of essential vitamins and minerals such as calcium. Oats provide ample amounts of protein while B vitamins add B12; additionally corn bran, molasses flax seed seed or oat groats provide additional ingredients that promote good health for your bird.
Non-GMO
No matter whether you are raising chickens for eggs or meat, your local feed store offers an assortment of feed choices including organic, all-natural, non-GMO options as well as name brand, generic brand and store brand options – each providing something different for their birds!
GMOs (genetically modified organisms) are organisms created through artificial genetic modification in a laboratory environment. This allows scientists to create crops resistant to certain insects, weeds and viruses; then these organisms are integrated with other crops to create genetically modified hybrids.
Non-GMO feeds do not contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs), yet may still contain grains treated with herbicides and pesticides. To be labeled Non-GMO, products must pass a third-party verification process from the Non-GMO Project that includes spot checks at different points along the supply chain and annual audits for high risk products. Compared with organic certification standards, non-GMO certification allows use of chemicals like glyphosate and dicamba used in conventional feed production as well.
Scratch Grain
Scratch grain is a blend of unfortified whole grains that resemble bird seed in appearance and serves as an irresistibly tasty treat for chickens, satisfying their natural urge to peck at things in the yard while providing additional energy supplements.
Scratch grain should only be used as a supplement and not the sole food source for your flock. Chickens fed solely on scratch will quickly develop nutritional deficiencies such as protein deficiency, reduced egg production and vitamin and mineral imbalances that could even result in death.
Purchasing scratch grain should be approached carefully; make sure that all ingredients are read thoroughly to determine which is nutritionally suitable for chickens. Avoid mixes containing corn or sunflower seeds which contain too many corn- or sunflower-derived elements – they will likely end up providing too many carbs without providing adequate nutrition! For assistance in selecting suitable feed, Berger’s Agway in Sciota offers excellent services!
