Grain based feeds supplemented by household scraps and pasture foraging is the traditional diet and this style of feeding remains a great option, especially as it encourages optimal gut- health. While birds love grain is critical to understand that grains alone are deficient in vitamin and minerals so a grain-based diet must be supplemented to ensure good health and production. Access to green feeds and pasture is often sufficient.
Manufactured feeds in the form of pellets, crumbles or mash are used in commercial poultry production. A complete and balanced ration is provided in a controlled environment with the aim of maximising egg or meat production at the lowest cost. These rations typically include medicines, vitamin and minerals and RAM based protein supplements to ensure health and nutrition is balanced and complete.
Disadvantages with manufactured feeds are:
– The gizzard does not have to work to grind the feed leading to the risk of gut health issues
– In a free range backyard situation manufactured feeds deteriorate and are less palatable and appetising than whole grains.
– The risk associated with feeding RAM, see notes in the What is RAM tab
Backyard Layers Info Sheet
A nutritious, Complete Backyard Layer Feed – everything your hens need in a bag to be happy, healthy and produce lots of eggs.
• 16% protein
• Wide range of ingredients – chooks love variety and foraging for their tidbits.
• Whole and cracked energy and legume grains blended with protein meals, manufactured feeds and grits so all your backyard poultry needs are covered.
• Vitamin, Mineral and Protein Supplements advised for best laying results for free range chickens
.Energy Grains:Wheat, Cracked Corn, Millet, Sorghum, Corn Meal, Whole Corn and/or BarleyLegume
Plant Protein:Cracked Lupins, Peas and/or Canola MealHi Protein Medicated Crumbles.
Fats and oils:from Sunflowers, Safflower, Canola
Soluble and Insoluble Grits and Calcium Carbonate
Molasses and Oil for Palatability
Avigrain is FREE…
– RAM FREE
– GM FREE
– Dust FREE
And always the best value for money!
Daily feeding will vary depending on many factors such as the age and health of the hens, climate, the day length, the breed, access to free range pasture and whether they are molting. So there is no set rule. Expect to feed between 80-150g per day per bird.
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