Raising backyard poultry can bring an element of resilience and sustainability into your life, yet its upfront costs might cause some people to reconsider this venture.
Price for chicken feed depends on several factors, such as their breed and developmental stage. You can tailor their nutrition according to your budget by opting for alternative ingredients.
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Feeding Costs
Feed costs are one of the primary considerations when raising chickens, according to Adam Mason of HEAL Farms in Apollo. When looking at his feed bill, it gives him “an unsettling feeling in his stomach,” says Mason.
Hens generally require around 7.5 pounds of feed each month, though this amount could decrease if foraging or free ranging is allowed during the day. They also need water (though many chickens will drink rainwater), grit, bedding, and regular deworming treatments.
Some people opt to feed their flock with kitchen scraps, while commercial feed is specifically formulated to provide complete nutrition and is usually the better choice for small poultry flocks. Treats and supplements will increase costs; as a general rule it may be more cost-effective to purchase point-of-lay hens instead of raising them yourself, as someone has covered all incubation/brooder costs as well as sexing the chicks prior to reaching their laying potential and need less feed as a result.
Starter Feed
Starter feed is essential when starting a chicken flock, as it caters specifically to baby chicks’ dietary needs. With 18-20% protein content and essential vitamins and minerals to promote healthful development, starter feed can ensure your chicks grow up well.
Some starter feeds also contain coccidiostat, a medication designed to improve immunity against the fungus that causes coccidiosis. Your decision on this will depend on a number of factors.
Starter feed can come in both mash and pelleted forms; loose granular mash may be easier for chicks to consume while baked pellets provide easy storage solutions. Both types can provide necessary nutrition; however, the former may be messier to feed than later pelleted alternatives. You can find both types of starter food at hardware stores or grocery store feed sections; you’re sure to find both organic and non-organic varieties there as well.
Grower Feed
Once chicks reach approximately eight weeks old (or approximately 8 weeks of age), it is time for them to transition onto grower feed. Their growth rates begin to slow significantly at this stage and require feed containing less protein (20% compared with 20% for starter).
Good quality grower feed will provide all of the nutrition your young laying hens require to thrive, without needing supplements. This 18% blend features non-GMO grains, natural vitamin/mineral supplements designed specifically for poultry, direct-fed microbials and direct-fed probiotics; Non-GMO Project Verified and Animal Welfare Approved feed comes either in Crumble or Pellet form and may be medicated with Amprolium or Lasalocid as needed – or non-Medicated options.
A 50 pound bag of regular, non-organic chicken feed typically costs $12 to $15; organic feed may double this figure but offers significant advantages over time. Now is an opportune time to start researching local suppliers and selecting one whose offerings you feel most at ease with.
Layer Feed
As your flock ages and moves closer to laying eggs, switching over to chicken layer feed may become necessary. This type of food typically contains 16% protein and provides the nutrients hens need to produce fresh and high-quality eggs. When feeding mixed flocks with layer feed it should be fed separately as its high level of proteins and calcium could cause kidney and liver damage in non-laying birds.
Good quality layer feed will contain an optimal combination of proteins, calcium and other vitamins and minerals to encourage top egg production in your flock. Hens also need access to grit for proper digestion; organic grazing-style chicken feed may be preferable depending on your health needs; Kalmbach’s Hi-Omegga All Natural Layer is one such organic feed with LifeGuard and YolkProud technologies included.
