Poultry

Poultry Feeding Basics

Chicken-and-Poultry-Feeds
Designed to be fed ad lib to day-old chicks until six weeks of age. Chick starter should be high in protein (18% - 20%) and may contain a coccidiostat to prevent the intestinal disease Coccidiosis.  Chick Starter is a small, crumbled pellet that is easy for chickens to eat, and they should have water accessible at all times. Chickens will consume approximately 40g each per day.

Chick Starter

Designed to be fed ad lib to day-old chicks until six weeks of age. Chick starter should be high in protein (18% – 20%) and may contain a coccidiostat to prevent the intestinal disease Coccidiosis.  Chick Starter is a small, crumbled pellet that is easy for chickens to eat, and they should have water accessible at all times. Chickens will consume approximately 40g each per day.
From seven to sixteen weeks of age chicks will need to move to a pullet grower. This is a complete ration that includes sufficient protein for gradual growth (16%). Pullets should not be put on a laying pellet or crumble too soon as the extra calcium can damage their growth and particularly their kidneys. Pullets will consume approximately 50-100g each per day. Ensure fresh water is available at all times.

Pullet Grower

From seven to sixteen weeks of age chicks will need to move to a pullet grower. This is a complete ration that includes sufficient protein for gradual growth (16%). Pullets should not be put on a laying pellet or crumble too soon as the extra calcium can damage their growth and particularly their kidneys. Pullets will consume approximately 50-100g each per day. Ensure fresh water is available at all times.
Laying crumble is essentially a laying pellet that has been crumbled. It can be fed to all chooks from 16 weeks of age but is especially suited to birds with smaller beaks such as bantams. They are high in protein (17%) to support egg production and will contain calcium as well as added vitamins and minerals. On average hens will consume 130g each per day.

Laying Crumble

Laying crumble is essentially a laying pellet that has been crumbled. It can be fed to all chooks from 16 weeks of age but is especially suited to birds with smaller beaks such as bantams. They are high in protein (17%) to support egg production and will contain calcium as well as added vitamins and minerals. On average hens will consume 130g each per day.
Laying pellets contain a specially formulated ration to meet all aspects of a laying hen’s nutritional requirements and to maximise egg production. This complete and balanced feed includes all the necessary vitamins and minerals, amino acids and calcium. On average hens consume 130g each per day. Laying pellets can be blended with poultry mixes to add variety to the diet.

Laying Pellet

Laying pellets contain a specially formulated ration to meet all aspects of a laying hen’s nutritional requirements and to maximise egg production. This complete and balanced feed includes all the necessary vitamins and minerals, amino acids and calcium. On average hens consume 130g each per day. Laying pellets can be blended with poultry mixes to add variety to the diet.
Poultry mixes contain a blend of whole and crushed grains, and depending on the brand, they may contain peas, canola, corn, vitamins, minerals, oils, herbs, meat meal and shell grit. Poultry mixes allow poultry to scratch and select feed using instinct to balance their diet. On average hens will consume 130g each per day.

Poultry Mixes

Poultry mixes contain a blend of whole and crushed grains, and depending on the brand, they may contain peas, canola, corn, vitamins, minerals, oils, herbs, meat meal and shell grit. Poultry mixes allow poultry to scratch and select feed using instinct to balance their diet. On average hens will consume 130g each per day.
Because hens don’t have teeth they use their gizzard to help grind their food. If they are free ranging they will look for smalls stones and grit which end up in the gizzard which uses a muscular action to grind the good against the grit. Shell grit can also be added to feed for this purpose and has the added benefit of providing calcium for bone and shell strength.

Shell Grit

Because hens don’t have teeth they use their gizzard to help grind their food. If they are free ranging they will look for smalls stones and grit which end up in the gizzard which uses a muscular action to grind the good against the grit. Shell grit can also be added to feed for this purpose and has the added benefit of providing calcium for bone and shell strength.
When daylight hours shorten and the weather cools, chooks will moult some of their old feathers and often egg production will slow. During this time, they will redirect their dietary protein into growing new feathers to keep warm. This is the ideal time to boost their protein consumption with the addition of meat meal which may also return them to egg laying sooner. Meat meal can be fed to poultry by distributing through the feed or by providing in a separate container and allowing them free choice. It is important that meat meal is not fed to cattle, sheep, goats or other ruminants.

Meat Meal

When daylight hours shorten and the weather cools, chooks will moult some of their old feathers and often egg production will slow. During this time, they will redirect their dietary protein into growing new feathers to keep warm. This is the ideal time to boost their protein consumption with the addition of meat meal which may also return them to egg laying sooner. Meat meal can be fed to poultry by distributing through the feed or by providing in a separate container and allowing them free choice. It is important that meat meal is not fed to cattle, sheep, goats or other ruminants.
Kitchen scraps are a great treat for omnivorous poultry. However, the bulk of their diet should consist of a formulated poultry feed, so they are receiving the correct amount of protein for growth and production. The RSPCA suggests that hens should not be fed anything high in fat or salt, or food that is rancid or spoiled. Additional scraps that should not be fed include raw potato, avocado, chocolate, onion, garlic, citrus fruits, uncooked rice, or uncooked beans.

Kitchen Scraps

Kitchen scraps are a great treat for omnivorous poultry. However, the bulk of their diet should consist of a formulated poultry feed, so they are receiving the correct amount of protein for growth and production. The RSPCA suggests that hens should not be fed anything high in fat or salt, or food that is rancid or spoiled. Additional scraps that should not be fed include raw potato, avocado, chocolate, onion, garlic, citrus fruits, uncooked rice, or uncooked beans.

Scaly Leg Mite in Chooks

chooks
Scaly Leg Mites

Scaly Leg Mites

Scaly let mite are a common external parasite which affects poultry. The mite, Knemidocoptes mutans, burrow into the skin on the chook’s legs and the tops of their feet. The mites eat the flesh under the scales on the leg and feet and leave droppings behind, resulting in thick, crusty legs and feet. If left untreated the legs and feet will become so crusty that they will suffer from reduced mobility, potential loss of toes, and permanent deformation of their feet. If one chook is infested with scaly leg mite it likely that all your birds will be, and it is important to treat the whole flock to prevent an ongoing problem.

Treatment Options

To suffocate the mites and help promote healing, start by cleaning the chook’s feet and legs in warm water and gently scrub away dead and loose scales. Next coat the legs and feet in an oil such as linseed, mineral, olive, or vegetable. Wipe off any excess oil and apply a coating of Vaseline. Repeat this each day until new, healthy scales begin to grow.

Alternatively, an Ivermectin-based product (as found in cattle drench) can be used, however is not registered for use in poultry. This product absorbs through the skin and eventually makes its way into the skin tissue where is will be consumed by the mites. It also kills any internal parasites such as  Bear in mind that the Ivermectin will also end up in the eggs and how long eggs should be withdrawn from human consumption is at the owner’s discretion.

There are many ‘traditional’ remedies for scaly leg mite which include the use of petrol, WD40, kerosene, or other solvents. These can be toxic to the skin and will be absorbed into the bloodstream potentially damaging the liver and kidneys of your poultry.