It's Official

[Clukcluks]

It's Official. I am now officially a chicken owner. I picked up 5/6yr old hens, 3 Rhode Island Red crossed with something else and 2 white leghorns, also crossed. So I was told by the feed store clerk.
I already have seen one of the leghorns poop is red colored and it's backside is not looking good. Maybe just because I changed the feed from what they were getting from the feed store!!
Your thoughts are welcomed.

 

[nuthatched]

Cool.
What exactly are you feeding them? The feeder looks full of scratch.

 

[DobieLover]

You need to put them on a balanced chicken feed ASAP. You cannot feed them seeds.
Please post pictures of the hen with the issue.

 

[Clukcluks]

Both of my 2 white leghorns have this floppy flopped over comb. I that normal or what One of them has

Cool.
What exactly are you feeding them? The feeder looks full of scratch.

It's scratch. It's called

You need to put them on a balanced chicken feed ASAP. You cannot feed them seeds.
Please post pictures of the hen with the issue.

 

[Clukcluks]

You need to put them on a balanced chicken feed ASAP. You cannot feed them seeds.
Please post pictures of the hen with the issue.

Cool.
What exactly are you feeding them? The feeder looks full of scratch.

You need to put them on a balanced chicken feed ASAP. You cannot feed them seeds.
Please post pictures of the hen with the issue.

What exactly is a BALANCED CHICKEN FEED. I thought this was.

 

[nuthatched]

Both of my 2 white leghorns have this floppy flopped over comb. I that normal or what One of them has

It's scratch. It's called View attachment 4118842View attachment 4118843

View attachment 4118847View attachment 4118848



What exactly is a BALANCED CHICKEN FEED. I thought this was.

Balanced chicken feed will be pellets or crumbles, 16%-18% protein. Scratch is the French fries of the chicken world, scratch is a treat.
Layer feed, chicken feed, flock feed, it will say 'Feed' on the bag.

 

[CabritaChicks]

What everyone’s talking about is either crumbles or pellets—that’s what we call formulated feed.

Think of it this way: you wouldn’t feed your dog only table scraps, right? You’d get actual dog food that’s made to meet their needs. Same idea here.

Scratch grains or unprocessed feeds are fun for foraging and keeping them busy, but they shouldn’t be the main diet. The feeder should have something balanced and processed, especially for laying hens. They need extra protein and specific nutrients to stay healthy and keep those eggs coming.

 

[MGG]

Says it right on the label. Just like you can't just feed your dog dog treats.

This should only make up 10% or less of their daily feed intake. It should be primarily a high quality layer feed.

 

[Clukcluks]

You need to put them on a balanced chicken feed ASAP. You cannot feed them seeds.
Please post pictures of the hen with the issue.

What everyone’s talking about is either crumbles or pellets—that’s what we call formulated feed.

Think of it this way: you wouldn’t feed your dog only table scraps, right? You’d get actual dog food that’s made to meet their needs. Same idea here.

Scratch grains or unprocessed feeds are fun for foraging and keeping them busy, but they shouldn’t be the main diet. The feeder should have something balanced and processed, especially for laying hens. They need extra protein and specific nutrients to stay healthy and keep those eggs coming.

Can you please give me some details on what balanced and processed feed looks like crumbles and pellets

 

[CabritaChicks]

Can you please give me some details on what balanced and processed feed looks like crumbles and pellets

I just took a screenshot of google images. Your local feed store will have what is called 'layer feed'.