Adult Feed

Free ranging is when you allow your chickens to roam freely and feed of the grass, bugs, and dirt. You should still provide layer pellet to provide certain nutrients but, free ranging will help reduce feed cost.

Layer pellet is typically fed to chickens beginning at 16 weeks of age. It provides the nutrients and protein need to keep hens and roos healthy. The main ingredients typically consist of wheat, corn, salt, sunflower seeds, and oats. If your chickens aren't free ranging, pellet should be about 90% of their diet and always available for free feeding. 

Chicken scratch is a feed made of different types of grain and seeds. Some contain cracked corn, sunflower seeds, barley, or wheat. Scratch is typically given as a treat and should only make up about 10% of a chicken's diet. This is because scratch only contains about 8% protein and little nutrients. Because chickens enjoy scratch so much, we use it to build trust. Try holding it in your hand or shake it in a cup to help round up your chickens.  

Table scraps are a great treat for your chickens! Fruits, vegetables, bread, and grains can all be fed to them. Some chickens enjoy scraps more than others and simply won't eat what they don't like. There are a lot of myths about what you can and cannot give your chickens (like potato skins - they are perfectly fine!) just try to avoid processed foods, coffee, chocolate, raw meat, and moldy food. You can even feed your chickens their own eggs. They are a great source of protein and calcium.