There are four different types of chicken feed available. They all begin with generally the same ingredients: grains, protein, vitamins, and minerals. The way in which the grains are milled is what makes the four types different. Keep reading to learn how each one is created!
Whole Grain Chicken Feed
Whole grain feed is composed of cracked grains and other unprocessed ingredients. You can see the ingredients in the feed as it is still in a natural state. The granola-like texture is fun for chickens to eat as it encourages a natural pecking instinct and the pieces are large enough for the chickens to grab. The vitamins and minerals are bound to the feed with soybean oil or flax oil so they are getting a balanced meal.
Mash Chicken Feed
Mash is an unprocessed form of feed composed of ground-up grains and other ingredients. Mash is most commonly fed to chicks since it is easier for them to consume. Since mash is so finely ground up, it easily goes to waste on the ground (chickens are messy eaters!). Many people like to ferment their mash to get a thicker texture that is easier to manage. We’ll get to fermentation later on in this guide.
Pellet Chicken Feed
Pellets are the most common form of chicken feed available on the market. They are easy to manage, and the compact cylinders minimize waste. Pellets are processed by grinding up the ingredients and molding them into an oblong shape.
Crumble Chicken Feed
Crumbles are pellets that have been broken up. The texture isn’t as fine as mash, so it is a little easier to manage. It is comparable to oatmeal in that there are very small pieces that all look the same.
