Chickens need good nutrition if they are to thrive and the easiest way to do this is to feed them as varied a diet as possible. This page outlines the different types of grains and grain mixes that I feed my chickens.
Layers pellets are nutritionally balanced, offering a complete diet for laying hens*. Layers pellets are also consistent as they are made using a specific formula. As such the protein level of layers pellets remains constant from batch to batch while the protein levels of wheat can vary greatly. I use layers pellets for what I call my foundation chicken feed, being feed stored in an automated hopper that my chickens can access anytime should they still be hungry after they have eaten all the other food I have given them.
The main disadvantage of layers pellets it that chickens usually prefer tastier foods such as mixed grains.
* The key ingredients of layers pellets are a combination of grains, bran & pollard, protein meals, vegetable oil, calcium & phosphorus, and minerals. It is formulated so that a layer hen can get all the nutrients it needs, most commercial caged and barn raised hens live off it for their entire lives.
LAYERS PELLETS ADVANTAGES SUMMARY
ADVANTAGES
- Nutritionally balanced and consistent in terms of protein levels.
LAYERS PELLETS DISADVANTAGES SUMMARY
DISADVANTAGES
- If given an option chickens will prefer other food over layers pellets.
Mixed grain is a variety of grains and pulses mixed together. The grains used vary depending on the brand but usually contain wheat, sorghum, lupins, corn and sunflower seeds. Small amounts of lucerne chaff are often added and some brands mix in a quantity of layers pellets. However the bulk of the grain in mixed grain is usually wheat. When compared to layers pellets and wheat it is expensive, so I only feed it to my flock in small amounts, usually one cup a day for five chickens.
It’s main disadvantage is that some chickens will pick out their favourite grains and leave the rest, which makes mixed grain not suitable for automatic feed hoppers. While the grain ratios are consistent the quality of the grains is not, resulting in variations in protein levels between batches.
MIXED GRAINS ADVANTAGES SUMMARY
ADVANTAGES
- Chickens really like it.
- Balanced natural diet.
MIXED GRAINS DISADVANTAGES SUMMARY
DISADVANTAGES
- More expensive than layers pellets.
- Not suitable for automatic feed hoppers.
- Protein levels can vary between batches.
Chickens love sunflower seeds and will almost always go for it first when given a choice of grains. But of all the different types of grains available sunflowers are the most expensive, which explains why there are so few in a bag of mixed grain. For that reason I have a bag of it on hand to boost the mixed grain mix.
But note that sunflower seeds should not be fed to chickens in large quantities as it can be bad for their health if too many are eaten at once, they are strictly a treat seed.
SUNFLOWER SEEDS ADVANTAGES SUMMARY
ADVANTAGES
- Chickens really like sunflower seeds.
- A natural food source.
SUNFLOWER SEEDS DISADVANTAGES SUMMARY
DISADVANTAGES
- Expensive.
- Can cause dietary problems when fed in large quantities.
Wheat is cheaper and less processed than layers pellets and chickens will readily eat it as long as there are no other more tasty treats available. It is a good alternative to layers pellets.
The main drawback of wheat it that its protein levels* can vary between batches. Chickens fed a diet that is too low in protein will lay fewer eggs. I prefer to use layers pellets as my foundation chicken food as the protein level is more stable than wheat grain.
* The protein content of Australian wheat varies from 8 to 16%. Wheat with a low protein content can be identified as it has a soft, opaque and less compact endosperm. As Wheat with a low protein content does not make good quality flour it is often sold as stock feed.
WHEAT GRAIN ADVANTAGES SUMMARY
ADVANTAGES
- Cheaper than most other grains or grain mixes.
- A natural food source.
WHEAT GRAIN DISADVANTAGES SUMMARY
DISADVANTAGES
- Protein levels can vary greatly.
There are other grains such as barley and pulses that can also be fed to chickens but as I have never used them they are not listed here.
