Q&A for How to Feed Chickens

Yes, you can make your own chicken feed. You can use a variety of nuts and grains, like bread, sunflower seeds, cereal and dried corn.

Yes, adult chickens can eat pretty much anything, although some people find it unsettling.

Don’t feed your chickens citrus fruits, salty foods, rhubarb, chocolate, onions, garlic, lawn mower clippings, uncooked beans, avocadoes, raw eggs, sugar/candy or raw green potato peels.

Finish is similar to grower feed. It contains more protein and gives the nutrients to help the chickens grow bigger and faster.

Young 1 week old chicks should have no feathers and just fluff. As they reach 2 weeks old, they should start to grow feathers. Once they only have fluff on their heads, they should be 10 weeks old.

Starter feed has a higher protein content than grower feed, and it's more expensive. Higher protein can negatively affect the maturing process.

Depending on how many birds you have, a chicken coop can range from $100 to $2000 USD. The more expensive housing is typically the better, because cheap coops can be susceptible to predators.

Chickens eat of their free will so they don't have a set amount of food to be given. Fill up their food bowl and give it to them. It's good to have all day access to their feed but it may not be needed. Chickens usually only eat in the morning when they are most hungry. Take the food away at night to prevent rodent infestations and bugs getting to the food.

Give them time. They might get hungry later on. If they still don't eat, they may be sick, so look for any possible signs.

The course of most antibiotics is six weeks. Ask your vet for advice.

You should go to your vet as soon as possible.

Watermelon is a good option, especially in the summer, because it has so much water in it and keeps chickens hydrated. Just make sure you never feed your chickens any type of poultry or eggs.

No, all food's good food to them. They will eat all kinds of things; if it's bad, they will generally spit it out.

Sunflowers seeds are a good treat for your chickens, but the black ones in particular are high in oil so limit it to just a few.

On average, hens stop laying for 6 to 8 weeks when they go through molt.

This is perfectly fine. There is no issue feeding your chickens layer pellets as long as they're at least 20 weeks old.

Yes, chickens can eat potato peels.

Hens will take breaks laying eggs every now and then from a couple of days to a week. But it could just be getting to old age or it is stressed out too much. Give it time before deciding it has stopped laying eggs.

It is okay to feed your chickens food scraps as long as the food is safe for chickens (if unsure about a certain food, check online). You always want to have fresh feed available for them, though, and just throw out the scraps as a treat.

The only way to safely make your hen lay larger eggs is by providing her with everything she needs. Other methods of making hens lay larger eggs than they are able are dangerous for your hen and should always be avoided.

Chickens can eat a whole array of different foods, including table scraps, fruits, pasta, lentils and vegetables. It's easier to research a list of foods chickens cannot eat rather than the foods they can.

You can buy medicated feed at many feed stores and pet stores that prevents coccidiosis. To prevent any chicks who are healthy from getting it, you can add one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar per gallon of water.

No, get pullets. Pullet hens are hens that have just started laying, they'll last you forever, unlike adult hens which lay for a shorter amount of time.

You do not need to feed your hens grit, and it can be risky business. If you really want to feed them grit, wait until they're approximately 1 year old.

No, there is no problem with doing that. Corn is very digestible for hens and is healthy.

Of course, as long as you are not feeding it to chicks. (Chicks could choke on the adult grain.)