| The food for tiny chickens is vastly different form | | | | The feedbag label will tell you about the feed for the |
| the food that is given to the adult chickens. They | | | | exact stage development and will also mention the |
| should be fed the right amount and type if you want | | | | amount of nutrients per serving and the quantity that |
| them to grow well and be healthy and prevent the | | | | should be fed. The well-prepared diets are substantial |
| spread of diseases as well. Many farm owners will | | | | for the little tiny chickens and additional use of |
| give the chicken their specially formulated chicken | | | | vitamins isn't required. |
| feed, but many a times, these home made chicken | | | | Table scraps may be fed occasionally |
| feed can lack the nutritional content that the | | | | Table scraps that consist of grains such as barley, |
| commercial available chicken feed can provide. If the | | | | wheat or corn can be given as additional treats when |
| home made recipe is been given to the chickens, | | | | training the chickens. However the use of such treats |
| ensure that the ingredients are fresh and haven't | | | | in daily food isn't advised. It can interfere with the |
| been treated with chemicals or pesticides as it can | | | | daily food that is been given to the chickens. You |
| interfere with the breeding and the overall | | | | may also feed them vegetables such as lettuce, |
| development of the tiny little chicks. | | | | tomatoes, and many other fruits and vegetables. |
| Use best quality chicken starter feed for the little | | | | However the commercial feed is still quite practical |
| chicks | | | | and beneficial. |
| Usually the best kind of food for the tiny chickens is | | | | The chickens will usually feed till the time that their |
| known as chicken starter feed and is quite easily | | | | little tummies are full. For this top up the feeder in |
| available in poultry shops. Remember that all | | | | the morning and then again in the late afternoon. This |
| vegetarian poultry mix isn't quite natural for the little | | | | will also make the little ones. The chickens usually help |
| ones as well. In nature they would also have | | | | themselves to the food when they are hungry and |
| consumed little bugs as well. They need the animal | | | | will leave the rest when they are quite full. |
| protein to grow. An all-vegetarian fare can render the | | | | Remember to clean out their feeders everyday and |
| little chickens quite malnourished as well. An ideal | | | | never feed them leftover feed. |
| situation for the chickens would be to roam free and | | | | Provide clean and fresh drinking water |
| eat as many bugs and plants and weeds that they | | | | Water is also an essential part f their food and water |
| can lay their hands on. This will give them the | | | | feeders should be ideally kept at an elevated level. |
| maximum nutrition. Of course, since this isn't the | | | | This will prevent the bird dropping from falling in the |
| case, it's better to stick to the feeds that are | | | | water. Change the water containers at least twice a |
| available in the market. | | | | day in ideal situations. If you can't do that then |
| For beginners the pre made commercial chicken | | | | change the containers at least once a day or when |
| starter feed will also take out the headache and | | | | they seem really dirty and cloudy.. The clean drinking |
| unnecessary tension of figuring out what to give the | | | | water should be provided at all times. Remember |
| chickens. The feeds have a healthy balance of | | | | that the temperature of the water should be just |
| protein, vitamins, minerals and other nutritional | | | | right. Ideally for the first week, the temperature of |
| elements that are necessary for the chickens to | | | | the water should be kept at 90 degree F. this |
| become healthy and strong and lay eggs (or become | | | | prevents the little chicks to be chilled out. |
| meat birds meant for producing chicken meat). Other | | | | In case you can't get chicken starter feed, you can |
| mixes or food shouldn't be given to the little | | | | do with breakfast cereal for the first few days or |
| chickens, as this will interfere with the nutritional | | | | even mashed hard-boiled eggs. But the sooner you |
| balance of the commercial food that is being given to | | | | get them on the started feed, the better it is. |
| them. | | | | |