Types of Chicken Food
Types of food made for chickens are usually labeled as poultry feed, as they are used for turkeys and game birds as well as chickens. Feed choices can be a little confusing, but if you take the age of the bird and its primary purpose into consideration, it becomes easier to make your feed decision. Some poultry feeds come in different forms and the choice of which one to use is really based on your preference.
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Starter Feed
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Starter feed is used for getting new chicks off to a proper start nutritionally. Mash-style feed grain makes it easier for tiny chicks to eat and is best fed on the ground or on a flat surface for the first few days so they can reach it easily. Layer starter is for laying chickens, and it usually contains a minimum of 16 percent protein. Broiler starter is for poultry used for eating and will provide approximately 20 to 30 percent protein.
Grower/Developer Feed
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Some owners feed starter feed during the entire growth period, and some prefer to use a grower or developer feed. It is usually a mash- or crumble-style feed that is designed to assist the growing chick to mature to a healthy, full size and to become more productive if its future is in egg laying. Many producers make only one grower feed for both layers and broilers (poultry raised for eating), because preferred protein levels are similar.
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Layer Feed
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Chickens bred for laying are called pullets for the first year of life, and after that, are called hens. They need a minimum protein level of 17 percent, which is provided by a commercial layer feed. This feed also contains calcium needed for strong egg shells. The feed can come in mash, crumble or pellet form. If your poultry are used to mash, graduate to a larger size feed slowly, as they can be stubborn in adjusting to anything unfamiliar.
Broiler/Finisher Feed
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These feeds are used to grow poultry raised for eating. Broiler feed is designed for fast growing broiler chickens, and finisher feed can be used for other poultry varieties used for consumption.
Scratch Feed
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Scratch is usually used as a supplement to layer feed, and can be given more often during winter months, when egg production is low. It is an inexpensive mix of whole grains and cracked corn, and though it can produce a fat chicken on its own, it does not contain enough protein to produce a healthy one.
Additional Feed Information
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Grit is small pieces of stone eaten by poultry to help grind their food, aiding in digestion. If your poultry is free range, they will pick up grit from the ground on their own. Calcium supplement is made with limestone or seashell, and is used only for layers who are producing eggs. Pasture feed is the forage found by free range poultry in grassy areas. For proper amounts to feed your poultry, see References.
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