What to feed chickens!

Now that you're raising chickens, what should you feed them? What do your chickens like to eat? What are some healthy kitchen treats to give your chickens?

Chickens love to eat. Here are some basic guidelines you should follow when feeding your chickens:

First, feed your chickens good store-bought feed designed for the purpose you are raising them for. For example, egg layers should eat chicken feed for egg production and meatbirds should eat chicken feed that encourages healthy weight gains.

Second, supplement your chickens' diets with as much natural feedstuff as you possibly can. I like to let my chickens free range, which allows them to feast on all sorts of natural goodies like grass and seeds and, of course, lots of bugs!

Third, you can give your chickens healthy treats from your garden and your kitchen! When I go out to prune my garden, I give them old vegetables and fruits like tomatoes and lettuce. This is safe and an excellent treat as long as you do not treat your plants with chemicals (yet another great reason to "go organic"!).You can also give your chickens healthy treats from your kitchen such as vegetable scraps.

And finally, give your chickens lots of fresh, CLEAN water to drink. Chicken bodies need lots of water to keep them healthy. This is especially important during the heat of summer.

If you supply your chickens with lots of great food and fresh water, they will live longer, happier lives. And happy chickens are fun!