can baby chickens eat bird seed

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Chickens are great companions. Aside from providing fresh eggs, they are wonderful family animals and can even improve the health of your lawn and garden. Best of all, baby chicks are low maintenance and can help reduce leftover waste in your kitchen.

A baby chicks’ diet is extremely versatile, but there are some foods to rethink before throwing them into the coop. Here, we’ll outline what to feed baby chicks, the nutrient-dense foods they love and the leftovers to keep in your compost pile.

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Generally speaking, chickens will eat almost anything, and they do indeed like eating bird food. However, because bird food is usually too high in calories and low in vitamins and calcium to meet the nutritional needs of laying chickens, it should only be given as an occasional treat and not as part of a chicken’s daily diet.

Since wild birds only lay eggs occasionally throughout the year, and modern domestic chickens lay a lot of eggs all year round, bird food intended for wild birds does not provide a well-balanced diet for poultry.

Vegetables and fresh fruit, like spinach, cabbage, and vegetable peels, will nourish your hens and make them flourish. It makes sense to refrain from providing them with any spoiled or moldy food.

Since chickens lack teeth, having a supply of Haiths Fine Oystershell Grit on hand is crucial for aiding in the digestion of their food. Although the ground where chickens live may naturally contain this grit, it is preferable to give them a steady and wholesome supply of grit directly from the source.

Why More and More People Are Raising Their Own Chickens

Here are some advantages of raising chickens at home if you and your family are thinking about getting some or have already purchased baby chicks and would like to learn more about them:

  • Raising chickens gives you access to your own natural food source, so you can eat farm-fresh food for less. Fresh eggs from hens not given additional hormones, preservatives, or antibiotics are healthier for you and your family, and you can be sure that they are more flavorful and nutritious. Additionally, you might save a few bucks at the grocery store.
  • Enhance your garden: Letting hens run around will naturally aerate the soil, which will benefit the health of your flowers, plants, and veggies. Some people even fertilize their gardens with chicken manure, but you should always handle the droppings with care. Consider aging the manure in compost before using it to prevent bacterial contact.
  • Use organic pest control: Chickens enjoy exploring the ground and pecking at insects. As they scratch and search for tasty treats, they can naturally ward off these bugs and get some exercise.
  • Minimize waste: Since chickens can consume a wide variety of foods in addition to their usual diet, you can give them your leftover fresh produce rather than throwing it away.
  • Encourage your family to lead an outdoor lifestyle: hens are wonderful family pets. Your children will enjoy petting them and gathering their eggs each day. They also provide children with an excellent opportunity to learn about the importance and responsibilities of animal care.

What Is the Best Food for Baby Chicks?

The best food to feed your baby chicks is starter feed made of organic chicken. Although the foods on the above list are good for chicks and you should recycle any leftovers, they might get too much or too little nutrition.

Organic chicken starter feed is packed with essential nutrients like:

  • Organic carbs, including corn, soybean meal and wheat
  • Organic soybean oil
  • Calcium carbonate
  • Zinc sulfate
  • Copper sulfate
  • Calcium iodate
  • Vitamin D3
  • Vitamin E
  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin B12
  • Riboflavin
  • Folic acid

Choosing organic chicken starter feed over non-organic substitutes guarantees that the nutrients your baby chicks receive are unmedicated and non-GMO. Natural feeds give you more nutrients for your money and your hens a healthier lifestyle because they rarely or never contain cheap filler products.

FAQ

Can baby chickens eat wild bird seed?

They need greens as well, and will benefit from an addition of pellets , and fridge and pantry scraps . Wild bird seeds are fine to feed to chickens in moderation as occasional treats.

Can wild baby birds eat chicken feed?

Yes. Wild birds can eat chicken food, but they shouldn’t come to depend on it as a food source. Most kinds of chicken feed contains all of the vitamins and minerals (and calcium!) that laying hens need in order to safely and consistently produce eggs.

Is game bird feed good for chickens?

Game-Bird Feed It has significantly less protein than broiler feed, so it is safe to feed to non-meat birds.

Can baby chickens eat oatmeal?

Oatmeal. Oats are a great source of protein, vitamins, and minerals that your baby chicks need. They can have both cooked, warm oatmeal or raw oats from time to time. You can even add plain yogurt or birdseed to the oatmeal for added nutrients.