orgainsect
In the Brooder
- Jan 14, 2025
- 14
- 29
- 39
### Some Ramblings Before We Start###
I originally got several chickens with the intention of having them for food. But as I raised them, they ended up becoming pets. I'm starting an "Urban Chicken - Keeping" series, hoping it can help one or two bewildered chicken - keepers. Hahaha.
——A Serious Dividing Line——
This series is mainly targeted at chicken enthusiasts who keep chickens as pets. I plan to summarize some basic knowledge about chicken - keeping, such as what they eat, what they can't eat, how to make a fermentation bed and a cage, and how to observe chicken droppings on the other hand, I might also share some interesting content, like making foraging toys for chickens using mineral water bottles (or maybe start a separate series for this).
When keeping pets, we generally hope that our pets can be happy, healthy, and long - lived. There are relatively few discussions about pet chickens, and many aspects are still based on experience and theory. I will try my best to choose reliable information sources and verify their accuracy. If there are any mistakes, omissions, or controversial points, please feel free to point them out. (I really hope for your guidance.)
——What do chickens need to eat?——
Pet chickens raised in cities cannot be fed solely with millet, corn, and green vegetables for an extended period. This can easily lead to a lack of protein, vitamins, and other trace elements, resulting in poor physical condition and even illness.
In rural areas, the older generation feeds chickens rather casually because free - range chickens in the countryside can go out and find worms, grass seeds, and leaves to eat on their own.
Chickens need to consume:
I. Carbohydrates
Such as corn, wheat, brown rice, oats
II. Protein
Such as eggs, cooked beans, soybean meal, fish meal, mealworms
III. Fats
Such as sesame seeds, flaxseeds
IV. Minerals
Calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, chlorine, sulfur; iron, zinc, copper, cobalt, manganese, iodine, selenium
V. Vitamins
Vitamins A, D, E, K, C, and B - complex
VI. Others
Clean water, small stones, and shell fragments that aid digestion.
Regarding Feed
Feeding commercial feed directly is a very convenient option for urban chicken - keepers. It's not only easy but also nutritionally comprehensive. You can also feed fruits and vegetables a few times a week. Adding some Black soldier fly larvae to the feed can provide an extra source of protein, helping the chicks grow stronger.
Try to buy feed produced by big brands, as it offers more guarantees. Generally, there won't be any problems.
Note that chicks should be fed with chick - specific feed, and usually, there's no need to supplement calcium additionally.
P.S. However, many chickens love fresh food, like flower petals. Since we're keeping pets and don't need to consider maximizing production, currently, I feed about three - quarters of commercial feed, and randomly add some mixed grains, egg yolks and whites, dried mealworms, dried shrimps, fresh fruits and vegetables, eggshells, etc.
Homemade Chicken Feed
To be honest, I don't have an exact recipe that can completely replace commercial feed. I can only offer some ideas.
Chickens need more than thirty kinds of nutrients, and there are numerous interactions among these elements. Moreover, different brands of feed raw materials also vary in nutritional content. Calculating a precise diet is extremely difficult.
However, even humans don't eat with such precision. Personally, I think some concepts from the dietary guidelines can be applied to a chicken's diet, such as proper food combination and aiming for a diverse range of food types.
Other random thoughts
Water and food can be provided without restriction. Chickens have a very short digestive tract, so they eat frequently. They won't overeat to the point of harm.
I. When the chickens first arrive home and you haven't made any preparations yet, feed them with corn, brown rice, hard - boiled eggs, and vegetables (give more protein).
II. When buying supplements to add to the feed, be sure to clearly read the dosage and mix them evenly. Sometimes, excessive intake of vitamins or trace elements can be very dangerous.
III.Use cooled boiled water instead of tap water for chickens. You can add avian F10 disinfectant in a ratio of 1:500 to inhibit the growth of bacteria (as recommended by the doctor).
IV. When changing the diet, do it gradually (over 5 - 7 days, increasing by 25% each time). Making a drastic change to the diet all at once can easily disrupt the chicken's gut flora and lead to diarrhea.
I originally got several chickens with the intention of having them for food. But as I raised them, they ended up becoming pets. I'm starting an "Urban Chicken - Keeping" series, hoping it can help one or two bewildered chicken - keepers. Hahaha.
——A Serious Dividing Line——
This series is mainly targeted at chicken enthusiasts who keep chickens as pets. I plan to summarize some basic knowledge about chicken - keeping, such as what they eat, what they can't eat, how to make a fermentation bed and a cage, and how to observe chicken droppings on the other hand, I might also share some interesting content, like making foraging toys for chickens using mineral water bottles (or maybe start a separate series for this).
When keeping pets, we generally hope that our pets can be happy, healthy, and long - lived. There are relatively few discussions about pet chickens, and many aspects are still based on experience and theory. I will try my best to choose reliable information sources and verify their accuracy. If there are any mistakes, omissions, or controversial points, please feel free to point them out. (I really hope for your guidance.)
——What do chickens need to eat?——
Pet chickens raised in cities cannot be fed solely with millet, corn, and green vegetables for an extended period. This can easily lead to a lack of protein, vitamins, and other trace elements, resulting in poor physical condition and even illness.
In rural areas, the older generation feeds chickens rather casually because free - range chickens in the countryside can go out and find worms, grass seeds, and leaves to eat on their own.
Chickens need to consume:
I. Carbohydrates
Such as corn, wheat, brown rice, oats
II. Protein
Such as eggs, cooked beans, soybean meal, fish meal, mealworms
III. Fats
Such as sesame seeds, flaxseeds
IV. Minerals
Calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, chlorine, sulfur; iron, zinc, copper, cobalt, manganese, iodine, selenium
V. Vitamins
Vitamins A, D, E, K, C, and B - complex
VI. Others
Clean water, small stones, and shell fragments that aid digestion.
Regarding Feed
Feeding commercial feed directly is a very convenient option for urban chicken - keepers. It's not only easy but also nutritionally comprehensive. You can also feed fruits and vegetables a few times a week. Adding some Black soldier fly larvae to the feed can provide an extra source of protein, helping the chicks grow stronger.
Try to buy feed produced by big brands, as it offers more guarantees. Generally, there won't be any problems.
Note that chicks should be fed with chick - specific feed, and usually, there's no need to supplement calcium additionally.
P.S. However, many chickens love fresh food, like flower petals. Since we're keeping pets and don't need to consider maximizing production, currently, I feed about three - quarters of commercial feed, and randomly add some mixed grains, egg yolks and whites, dried mealworms, dried shrimps, fresh fruits and vegetables, eggshells, etc.
Homemade Chicken Feed
To be honest, I don't have an exact recipe that can completely replace commercial feed. I can only offer some ideas.
Chickens need more than thirty kinds of nutrients, and there are numerous interactions among these elements. Moreover, different brands of feed raw materials also vary in nutritional content. Calculating a precise diet is extremely difficult.
However, even humans don't eat with such precision. Personally, I think some concepts from the dietary guidelines can be applied to a chicken's diet, such as proper food combination and aiming for a diverse range of food types.
Other random thoughts
Water and food can be provided without restriction. Chickens have a very short digestive tract, so they eat frequently. They won't overeat to the point of harm.
I. When the chickens first arrive home and you haven't made any preparations yet, feed them with corn, brown rice, hard - boiled eggs, and vegetables (give more protein).
II. When buying supplements to add to the feed, be sure to clearly read the dosage and mix them evenly. Sometimes, excessive intake of vitamins or trace elements can be very dangerous.
III.Use cooled boiled water instead of tap water for chickens. You can add avian F10 disinfectant in a ratio of 1:500 to inhibit the growth of bacteria (as recommended by the doctor).
IV. When changing the diet, do it gradually (over 5 - 7 days, increasing by 25% each time). Making a drastic change to the diet all at once can easily disrupt the chicken's gut flora and lead to diarrhea.
