There is a variety of poultry feed available to meet every flock size imaginable, ranging from the traditional mash variety to more recently introduced crumble products.
Chickens at all life stages require food with an optimal combination of proteins, calcium, vitamins and minerals in order to produce eggs with good nutritional quality. Most veterinarians suggest switching over to layer feed when the hen begins laying at 20 weeks old or begins producing eggs herself.
Contents
Pellet
Pellet chicken feed is an all-in-one food solution made up of various raw materials blended together to form a nutritionally complete diet for poultry. Once combined, they are heated and compressed into pellets before being fed back out as food to the flock. Studies have demonstrated that pellet diets yield greater weight gains and FCR in broilers compared with coarse mash diets; also often providing important micronutrients not available elsewhere in their daily diet.
Cooled pelleted feed must then be stored to avoid spoilage and ensure its firmness for storage, before it can be crumbled into looser varieties that serve as an intermediate step between mash and pellets for young pullets (hens not yet in laying). Crumble varieties tend to be easier for chickens as they’re less likely to spread all over the ground reducing waste production while providing easy management for owners as less material ends up wasted! However, additional raw materials such as shell grit can still help support digestion of their digestive systems while supporting their calcium needs boosting which ensure healthy egg shell formation!
Mash
Chicken feed comes in various forms. A typical complete feed that provides protein, calcium, vitamins and minerals necessary for egg production. Kitchen scraps, bugs and garden greens may be added for increased diversity of nutrients necessary for good health and high-quality eggs produced.
Mash chicken feed consists of crushed grains mixed with animal or vegetable protein meal and health supplements for an aesthetically pleasing powder-like consistency. Commonly fed to chicks but suitable for all age groups (even adult laying hens). Also popular among bantam breeds who can find difficulty digesting larger-sized pelleted feed.
Pellet diets contain higher bulk density than mash feed, making them easier for chickens to consume while also reducing waste and increasing nutrition per bite. Studies have demonstrated that pelleting increases protein digestibility and true nutrient intake among laying hens.
Crumble
Many chicken keepers prefer crumble feed due to its texture. This coarse variety of mash is less compact than pellets and more manageable for their flock.
Crumble is created from the same ingredients found in pellets but goes through an alternative manufacturing process to form its crumble texture. It is typically used as an introduction feed or starter/grower feed for chicks as well as smaller chicken breeds who find larger pellet pieces difficult to consume.
Pellet feed provides consistency and is easy for the flock to consume without waste, while being easier to store as it takes up less space and lasts longer before spoiling.
Shell Grit
Chicken keepers often supplement oyster shells with additional sources of calcium such as grit. Grit is insoluble and remains in the gizzard where it helps break down food for digestion. While wild and free-ranging chickens will naturally consume grit to aid in their digestive processes, coop run or fenced enclosure flocks should have access to additional grit sources as an aid in digesting their meals.
Chicken grit is often made of ground up sea shells that have been ground fine enough for consumption by chickens. Once in their gizzards, this sand-like substance provides a gradual release of calcium through stomach acids and enzymes grinding it, specifically beneficial for laying hens as they extract calcium required for eggshell formation. Supplementary feed should be given separately so they can access it when they need it; regular replacement should also be planned accordingly.
