The Poultry Pantry: What You Need to Know About Feeding Your Chickens
Feeding chickens is simple!
If you’re a chicken owner, you know that what your birds eat plays a significant role in their overall health and egg production. Feeding your chickens a balanced diet is crucial to ensure they receive the necessary nutrients. Grubbly Farms is a company that I came across that produces high-quality chicken feed made from black soldier fly larvae. Not to sound like a commercial but I really am sold on Grubbly Farms feed!
Last winter I was seeing in some Facebook groups that everyone’s chickens had stopped or slowed down laying. My girls laid all through the winter and even the freeze! I really think the feed has something to do with it. Especially when others were saying they changed feed or made their own and the hens started laying again. Commercial feeds have a lot of fillers in them Grubbly does not. I think my girls are getting the maximum nutrients that kept them healthy and giving me 6-7 eggs a day from 7 hens!
What is Grubbly Farms?
Grubbly Farms is a company that produces chicken feed made from black soldier fly larvae, which is a highly nutritious source of protein. Their feed is also formulated with non-GMO grains, flaxseed, and other healthy ingredients, making it an excellent choice for chicken owners who want to feed their birds a balanced diet. Additionally, Grubbly Farms’ feed is free from artificial preservatives, antibiotics, and hormones.
Why Choose Grubbly Farms Chicken Feed
When I got my first batch of 8 chicks I knew I wanted to be as organic as possible with their feed. I realized quickly that organic eggs may not be possible because chickens eat EVERYTHING! Haha! I wanted my chicks to be healthy and free of any type of chemicals and medications they didn’t need. I started with mana pro chick starter. It was the cleanest product in the store we were in. Shortly after getting the chicks, I had a friend introduce me to Grubbly Farms food. I really loved the company’s commitment to the healthiest best feed for my girls! I switched over as soon as I needed more feed. One thing I noticed right away is the smell was much less with the Grubbly feed! A huge plus and if no other reason that one thing made me a believer in better food!
Introducing Grubbly Farms Feed to Your Chickens
When introducing Grubbly Farms feed to your chickens, it’s best to gradually mix it with their current feed. Begin by mixing 25% of Grubbly Farms’ feed with 75% of their current feed for the first week. In the second week, mix 50% of Grubbly Farms’ feed with 50% of their current feed. By the third week, you can feed your chickens 100% Grubbly Farms feed.
How much do chickens eat a day? You should figure on 1/4 pound of feed per day per chicken. If they are free ranging then it will be less.
Feeding Your Chickens with Grubbly Farms Feed
Chickens need a balanced diet that includes protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Grubbly Farms feed is formulated to provide your chickens with the necessary nutrients they need to thrive. The company offers two types of feeds: Grubbly Layer Feed and Grubbly Chick Starter Feed.
Grubbly Layer Feed is designed for laying hens and contains 16% protein, 3.5% fat, and 6% fiber. It’s an excellent choice for chickens that are at least 18 weeks old and laying eggs.
Grubbly Chick Starter Feed is formulated for baby chicks and contains 20% protein, 3.5% fat, and 6% fiber. It’s an excellent choice for chicks from day one to 16 weeks old.
Additional Tips for Feeding Your Chickens
Apart from feeding your chickens Grubbly Farms feed, there are other best practices you should follow to ensure your birds receive a balanced diet. Here are some additional tips:
- Provide your chickens with clean water at all times
- Make sure to scrub your water containers frequently. They grow bacteria and need to be cleaned to keep your flock healthy
- Offer your chickens fresh fruits and vegetables as a treat
- If you have young chicks and give them anything other than chick starter feed they NEED chick grit! This will prevent sour crop which can be fatal.
- Chickens love grubs as a treat. I feed mine Grubblies from Grubbly Farms, and they run to me when they see the bag! There’s nothing better than watching chickens run up to you.
- Avoid feeding your chickens salty or sugary foods
- To ensure that your chickens are not over- or underweight, it is important to monitor their weight regularly. One way to do this is by picking them up often. By holding them, you can easily determine if they are at a healthy weight.
- Offer Calcium to your laying flock to strengthen the egg shells. I typically crush their eggshells and feed them back. You can also use oyster shells. If you decide to use them, simply put a few piles around your yard.
Chickens love these!
Final thoughts…
Feeding your chickens a balanced diet is crucial to ensure their overall health and egg production. I believe Grubbly Farms’ chicken feed is an excellent choice for chicken owners who want to provide their birds with high-quality nutrition. it is a little more expensive but I believe less smell and better egg production make up for the cost difference!
