Are you raising chickens or other baby birds in your backyard? You may be wondering what to feed them. Chickens require carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals in their diet for optimal growth and development.
If you’re raising chickens for eggs, ensure their feed contains a high calcium content to help them create strong eggshells. Look for a feed with around 4.5 to 4.75% calcium content and add in some fish meal for phosphorus.
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Chicks
Chickens are commonly kept for egg-laying or dual-purpose production (meat and eggs). Some breeds of chicken may also be kept as pets or in backyard flocks.
Tractor Supply offers a wide selection of chicks, such as Rhode Island Reds, Plymouth Rocks, Leghorns and Buff Orpingtons. Some breeds are available all year round while others can only be purchased during special chick days at the store.
Tractor Supply not only carries chicken feed, but a wide range of other poultry supplies to meet every stage of your birds’ development. Choose from brands like Purina, DuMOR, Nutrena, Nature’s Best and Flock Party for feed pellets, cracked corn, crumbles, blocks, grit and oyster shells at competitive prices.
If you’re thinking about raising chickens as pets or for their eggs, it is essential to consider their nutritional needs and diet. Feeding your birds only the finest quality poultry feed will guarantee they stay healthy and reach their full potential.
Rhode Island Reds
The Rhode Island Red is a beloved breed for backyard flocks due to their remarkable egg-laying skills and hardiness.
These chickens are very docile and easy to care for. They don’t need much food, and will remain resistant to diseases like lice or mites if kept clean on a regular basis.
Rhode Island Reds have a distinctive appearance with their rectangular body and solid red feathering. The most common color is chestnut red, but they may vary in hue depending on their blood line.
They can be quite inquisitive, often following you around in the morning as you open up your coop. Though not aggressive, these birds tend to favor smaller, docile breeds so be wary when inviting them into your flock!
Ducks
Ducks make for an excellent backyard flock. Not only are they hardier than chickens, but also prolific egg layers and easy to care for.
Raising ducks effectively requires providing them with a diet that meets their nutritional requirements. Whether raising chickens or ducks, use premium feed made from ingredients with stringent production and handling regulations. This ensures your flock remains healthy and happy.
Organic duck feed, for instance, uses products grown without pesticides, fertilizers, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), or antibiotics. Non-organic duck food also meets these same production and handling standards as organic products.
Baby duck food contains 18 to 20% protein and the essential nutrients young fowl require for growth. After two weeks, it’s important to switch away from duckling feed to a starter/grower mix that contains about 15% protein.
Baby Birds
Baby birds require a diet rich in insects to grow strong and healthy. While this can be challenging for people, professional bird rehabilitators possess the necessary equipment and experience to meet their frantic feeding schedules.
Tractor Supply offers a wide selection of chicken feed for sale. Choose from adult mash, crumbles or pellets depending on your individual preferences and your birds’ requirements.
These feeds are high in protein, which can be detrimental to a bird’s long-term wellbeing; however, they work wonders for making chickens grow rapidly and produce plenty of meat.
Tractor supply stores carry several breeds of birds including Rhode Island Reds, Black Australorps and White Leghorns. The Rhode Island Reds are classic barnyard birds with their dark red coloring and single comb. These prolific layers can lay up to 270 eggs annually.
