Chicken Feed

For the most part, chicks from 28 days of age and up are fed a "starter ration". This ration contains lots of protein (about 22 percent) to give them the energy needed to grow and develop properly. From 56 days (8 weeks) and up to when they start laying (usually around 6 months of age), the pullets (females under one year of age) are fed a grower ration containing about 17 percent protein. Once laying commences, layer ration is fed to them. Layer ration has a bit less crude protein content....about 15 percent in most feeds, and also adds extra vitamins and minerals like calcium.

Some of the minerals needed in general chicken feed are zinc, copper, iodine, magnesium, calcium, sodium (0.15%, also equal to 0.37% sodium chloride), phosphorus, potassium, manganese, and iron. Some of the vitamins needed by chickens that must be in their feed are Vitamin E (requirements vary as bird grows and diet changes), Vitamin D, Vitamin A (may be Vitamin A or pro-vitamin A), Vitamin K, Thiamine, Niacin, Pyridoxine, Riboflavin, Pantothenic acid, biotin, Vitamin B12, choline and folacin.