Newly hatched chickens, or chicks, require a highly nutritious and balanced diet to support their rapid growth and development during their first few weeks of life. A diet rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals is essential for their muscle development, bone growth, and overall health. Chick starter feed, typically contains around 20-24% protein, is specifically formulated to meet these needs. In addition to protein, chicks need adequate amounts of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins such as A, D, and E.

We recently hatched a batch of new chicks and for the first three days, their diet consisted of hardboiled eggs blended fine with their own egg shells from hatching. Feeding eggshells back to your chicks might seem a bit odd, but it’s one of the best old-timey ways to reduce costs, repurpose waste, and support your flock’s calcium needs simultaneously. The chicks loved this mixture and had loud opinions as they adjusted to a chick starter feed from ingredients we had around the kitchen. Eventually, they tried the new mix, and found they liked it just as well. Trying new things is hard for all little creatures!

Our mix contains:

Buckwheat or steel cut oats - Rich in B vitamins, iron magnesium, phosphorus and zinc for muscles growth and feather development. ( 50% )
Corn meal- Provides energy and promotes healthy feather production, easy to eat. (30%)
Flax seed- Rich in omega fatty acids and protein (20%)

The recipe will depend on how much you’re hoping to make. We started with 2 cups buckwheat, 1 and 1/3 cups corn meal, and 2/3 cups flax seed.

We still supplement with scrambled egg and leafy greens as well. Our chicks love cilantro, and fresh lettuce. Clean, fresh water should always be available to ensure proper hydration and digestion. As the chicks grow, their dietary needs will evolve, and we adjust accordingly as they transition outdoors.

Why did we choose our own mix? Much like with our own food, we like to know what they are eating. What they eat becomes what we eat so it is important to us to know where it is sourced. Many chick starter feeds contain Amprolium, an ingredient that is commonly added to prevent coccidiosis, a parasitic disease that can affect young chicks, but is typically seen in larger flocks, or large industry. Some other feeds may contain other medications like Bacitracin, which is an antibiotic used to prevent bacterial infections. Though it is understandable to want to protect our birds from ailments, but the environment we provide is unlike a big farm environment, and they’re less likely to be affected by it.
Also, we took into consideration that coccidiosis is an easily treatable condition retroactively. If your flock is suspected of having contracted coccidiosis, the first sign being blood in their droppings, you can add a few drops of Amprolium to their water, or administered directly orally, and your flock will be on the mend almost immediately. However alternative, non-pharmacological means exist as well. Garlic, red pepper flakes, and papaya leaves are all effective against the contraction and effects of coccidiosis, according to the (NIH) National Institute of Health website, and can be used proactively without any contraindications. For these reasons we chose to make our own blend, but we fully support those who choose to raise their flocks on medicated feed.

The January hatchlings are growing healthy and strong! Since they were incubated and hatched during a snowstorm, they are still indoor chicks and are well-handled. These friendly little creatures have bonded well with the humans who brought them to life. Feel free to reach out to us at Urban Greens (www.simplehealthyorganics.com) with any questions about raising a micro flock of urban chickens.

Also, check out backyardchickens.com for great advice from experienced poultry enthusiasts.

How to make simple healthy chick food

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