Poultry Care and Feed

Different Breeds – Different Purposes Laying Breeds Known for egg-laying capacity Common: White Leghorn, Red Sex Link and Black Sex Link will lay for several years start laying 16-20 weeks of age molt at about 14 months of age, do not lay during molt

Different Breeds – Different Purposes Meat Breeds Efficient at converting feed to meat Approx. 1 pound of bodyweight for every 2 pounds of feed they eat Popular breed: cornish game hen grow and feather rapidly Broilers and fryers are butchered at 3 ½ - 5 lbs. roaster is butchered at 6-8 lbs.

Different Breeds – Different Purposes Dual-Purpose Breeds Classic backyard chicken Hardy, self-reliant, large bodied Common breeds: Rhode Island Red, New Hampshire breeds

Different Breeds – Different Purposes Turkeys, Game Birds, Ducks, other Produce eggs raised for meat

Feed The Right Ration To know which ration is best for your flock, you need to know the answers to these questions: 1. What age birds are you feeding? 2. What kind of birds are you feeding? 3. Are the birds being raised for meat or to produce eggs?

Feed The Right Ration Do not give young birds a layer ration. The calcium level is excessively high for young birds. Do not mix scratch grain with a complete commercial ration. By mixing cracked corn with a complete commercial grower ration, you dilute (reduce) the protein level as well as the vitamin and mineral content of the diet. The birds will not grow as well or lay many eggs and will also be less resistant to disease. Nutrient deficiencies may lead to feather picking, lameness, sores or even death.

Feed The Right Ration The second most common mistake is not feeding enough of the appropriate type feed. Feed them free choice.

Chicken Digestive Tract Mouth Esophagus (gullet) – transports food from mouth to stomach

Chicken Digestive Tract Crop – temporarily stores food Stomach – food broken into smaller units - gizzard uses grit to grind grains and fiber into smaller particles

Chicken Digestive Tract Small intestine – nutrient absorption Liver – aids in metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and protein Ceca – helps break down undigested food

Chicken Digestive Tract Large intestine – absorbs water, dry out indigestible foods Cloaca – where digestive, urinary and reproductive tracts meet

Chicken Digestive Tract Urinary system – 2 kidneys and 2 ureters - kidneys are located in pelvic bones - filter waste and pass through ureter to outside Vent – external opening of cloaca that passes waste to outside

Feed Considerations Seventy percent of the cost of raising chickens goes for feed. This is an investment rather than an expense because the better the birds are fed, the more productive they will be.

Feed Considerations The importance of giving plenty of cool, clean water cannot be over-emphasized. Water is a major part of both eggs and meat. Provide your flock with fresh water and a complete balanced ration, and they will reward you and your family with fresh eggs or meat.

Feed Consideration Chickens Supplement laying hens with oyster shell for calcium – hardness of egg shells grit to help digest food Occasional treat of scratch grain will satisfy pecking instinct and keep them busy

Avg. Feed Needed Per Bird This is very bird size dependent; another way is to figure 3:1 conversion. Also consider the weather. For hens this is roughly a ¼ pound per day bigger hens will eat more and in cold they will eat more.

Care Tips for Healthy Chickens Coop should have: minimum of 4 sq. ft. of space per hen - one perch one next box for every 4-5 hens 6 inch layer of shavings or sawdust to absorb droppings be free of cold winter drafts have good ventilation Require a good, sturdy fence around outside runs to protect from predators close door each evening after your flock roosts

Daily Management Checklist Feed available at all times Clean, fresh water available at all times Proper temperature and ventilation Brooder and coop conditions Litter conditions Flock appearance and health Eggs gathered Records updated

Nutrena NaturalWise Natural poultry feed

Nutrena Country Feeds Nutrena Poultry Feed