What feed is best for chickens: crumbles, pellets, or powder?

[Last Train Vnyd]

Can chickens eat layer pellets? Also what form of feed is best for them: crumbles, powder, or pellets? Thanks.

 

[Fred's Hens]

The "shape" or texture of the feed is a matter of price point and choice of the flock keeper.

Local mills, those without a pelletizing machine, sell ground feed, often called mash. It's actually reasonably coarse, but the flour from the milling process of grinding makes it look like powder. Put some water in a bucket, mash and stir and you'll see it is almost the same texture as crumbles.

Making pellets and then breaking those pellets into crumbles costs money. Mash is often the least expensive feed, all things being equal.

Everyone has their preferences and reasons for pellets, crumbles or mash. I buy mash 90% of the time because it is the least expensive, by far!!!!!

Now, the feed that is appropriate for the chickens, by age, has to do with the content. Starter, Grower, Raiser, Layer, etc. This is a matter of content. Layer feeds are only appropriate for a laying hen, thus the name. It is laced with high amounts of calcium that non-laying juveniles don't need and cannot process in a healthy way.

 

[Last Train Vnyd]

Thank you for the quick and thorough response. I am new at this and have sooo many questions.