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The Curious Bag
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Like humans, chickens require a varied diet containing a variety of vitamins, minerals and proteins to remain healthy. Chickens fed with chicken feed that is not nutrient rich can become fat and unhealthy, which shows in the meat taken from the chicken.
Ingredients
According to My Backyard Chicken Farm, a healthy chicken feed should contain meal from meat, bone and blood. Meat and bone scraps increase calcium intake, while molasses brewer's yeast and whole grains balance the diet of the chicken.
Chicken Scratch
The most common and traditional type of chicken feed is chicken scratch, which contains whole grain and corn. Corn is low in protein and high in fat, which makes it an unhealthy diet if not mixed with other types of chicken feed.
Cost
Low-quality or bargain forms of chicken feed are often padded with filler made from wheat milling byproducts that have little nutritional value.
Medication
Chicken feed created specifically for young chicks is the only type containing medication. The medication coccidiostat is incorporated into this feed to provide protection from the potentially fatal illness coccidiosis.
Other Foods
Chickens are able to eat a variety of other foods alongside chicken feed to form a healthy diet. Chickens allowed to roam in grassy areas will eat grass, weeds and bugs.
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