Chicken Feed Products

Chicken feed is the primary source of nutrition for any farmyard chicken of any age or size. It is composed of a variety of ingredients that provide energy and the necessary nourishment for chickens by supplying minerals and vitamins to them. Though the products found in chicken feed may vary from farm to farm and supply store to supply store, most chicken feeds contain a general set of ingredients.

  1. Types of Feed

    • There are seven essential types of chicken feed products. Mash is one of the most well known and contains a variety of ground ingredients that are formed into small bits that resemble powder. Pellets are small kernels of compressed mash that are designed to keep chickens from eating only choice materials from the mash. Crumbles are pellets that are broken into smaller pieces to make them easier to digest. Grower feed is a type of mash that is mixed to better nurture smaller chickens up to six weeks old. Layer feed contains enhanced concentrations of calcium and protein to help the diet of hens that are trying to lay eggs. Broiler feed is a type of mash that is optimized to produce more meat on chickens being raised for food. Scratch is a type of whole grain feed given to chickens to help promote exercise by being scattered and forcing chickens to find it.

    Features of Products

    • Any chicken feed product requires six basic features to make it better for any chicken. These are grains, greens, protein, calcium, vitamin A and vitamin D. All of these features help any kind of chicken develop and remain healthy, whether they are being raised for meat, eggs or breeding. Depending on the type of feed and manufacturer, additional materials might be added as well.

    Product Considerations

    • Chicken feed is the traditional and often considered the best diet for chickens. However, there is a strong movement toward free-range feeding, which encourages chickens to graze and find their own food among natural foliage and organisms found in the ground. However, this can result in the chickens eating rocks, which in large amounts can damage the digestive system. It is also possible the chickens might not find all of the minerals that they need.

    Warnings

    • Though making feed at home might seem cost-efficient, many experts warn against this practice. This is because home-made feed is far more susceptible to contamination by bacteria and other harmful substances. Feed that is mass produced is especially protected against such contamination.