We feed meat chickens is a little different than feeding a typical layer hen. Chickens bred to be efficient meat birds grow much faster than chickens intended to produce eggs, meaning they have different nutritional requirements. A Cornish Cross, for example, is ready for processing in about 8-9 weeks, while a heritage breed like the […]
When it comes to feeding your flock, just as feeding yourself, it’s important to know good quality food from poor quality food. Knowing your chicken feed is key. Additionally, it is just as or even more important to know HOW to feed them. Although the ingredients used in different feed types are similar, the proportions […]
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are important – but do your flocks need a daily snack, too? Chickens have a lot of energy and need plenty of calories to keep them going. At the same time, you can provide most of your chickens’ nutritional requirements via their feed – which is specially formulated to meet their […]
What makes hens need calcium? A lack of calcium can lead to weakened eggshells, which means that the eggs are more likely to be broken during transport. In addition, a lack of calcium will also weaken bones and make it easier for them to break. The good news is that you don’t have to worry […]
Believe it or not, many common foods can wreak havoc on a bird’s digestive system and are poisonous to birds. Many of us are familiar with the phrase, “Don’t feed the birds!” What we don’t know is WHY. The reason behind this warning is that many human foods can poison your feathered friends and make […]
One of the major perks of raising your chickens for meat is that you have a say in what goes into (or doesn’t ) go into raising your organic meat chickens. When you control how you raise your own meat, you can make important decisions about how to care for them, how they will live, […]
Feeding your chickens might not be something which you pay too much attention to, but did you know that seventy percent of the cost of raising chickens goes toward feed? Therefore it stands to reason that you need to pay attention to what you feed your birds. No one chicken is the same as each breed […]
Feeding your flock extra table scraps or goodies that haven’t gone bad is entertaining, and usually pretty good for your chickens. I mean, who doesn’t love a bit of a variety in their diet? Chickens are no different. If your flock has been stuck with boring commercial crumble for a long period of time, prepare […]
Giving chickens treats is a favorite pastime of many chicken lovers. It’s easy to toss your flock some leftovers and assume they’ll be able to eat them without issue. But the truth is, not all treats are created equal. Lucky for you, if you’re a grape lover, grapes are a safe choice as a chicken […]
We all love our chickens and want to do what’s best for them. I know I love nothing more than spoiling them with kitchen scraps and homemade treats, but did you ever stop to think you might be doing more harm than good? Over-feeding your girls can lead to obesity and a whole lot of […]