How to care for your Chickens

FEEDING TIPS:

1. Water – Poultry should have access to clean, fresh water at all times which are available to purchase from Nobleton FeedMill. When starting day-old birds or after moving or transporting birds, give access to water before putting feed in the feeders.

2. Grit – When birds have access to coarse litter or whole grains, an insoluble grit should be fed. Limit intake of grit to 1 lb (0.5 kg) per 100 lbs (50 kg) of feed or 2 lbs (1 kg) per 100 birds per week. Grit can be blended with the ration or offered free choice in a separate feeder.

1. Do not allow feeders to run empty or stale feed to accumulate.

2. Never feed any feedstuffs that are mouldy, musty or suspect in any way.

Your chickens can obtain up to 25% of their protein by foraging for grass and insects, and you can add (non-meat) kitchen scraps to their diet for variety. (Things like leftover cooked rice and pasta as well as vegetables and fruit can all be given to your hens as treats).

However, your hens should always be fed a complete chicken food of either pellets or meal, to keep them in top laying condition. The average hen will eat between 100-150 grams of complete food a day. So if you start with 3 hens expect to go through a 20 kg bag of layers pellets every 40 to 50 days.