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Silkie Feed Blend |
We blend our own feed for our adult silkies and feed it year-round. Our chicks are fed a commercial medicated chick starter for the first 2 months, supplemented with grated carrots, hard cooked chopped eggs, greens, and an occasional yogurt-grain mixture when they get a little older.
Our feed blend starts with a 20% protein commercial poultry feed. Since Purina is available in our area, we use Purina Gamebird Layena, which does not contain the marigold oil supplement that can affect white feathers.
In a 5 gallon bucket, fill approximately 3/4 full with base feed and add:
1 cup crimped oats
1 cup crimped barley
1 cup wheat
1/2 cup safflower seeds
3/4 cup sunflower chips
1/2 cup flax seeds
1 scoop Manna Pro Sho-Glo
1 heaping tablespoon Brewer's Yeast & Garlic Powder
Mix together well, and add:
1/2 cup wheat germ oil blend or vegetable oil
1/4 cup Red Cell
Mix together very well to distribute oil and red cell evenly.
The birds also get chopped eggs and grated carrots once a week, greens like kale, collard greens, romaine lettuce as they are available, leftover tomatoes, or any fruit that is starting to go bad. In the summer, they absolutely love watermelon! I cut most of the red part off the rinds and put it in containers for the family, and feed the rinds to the silkies.
Twice a month, we feed a yogurt grain mixture that the birds love and that contains the good gut bacteria necessary for good digestion and health.
Since we have a lot of birds to feed, this is my recipe, but you can
adjust it for your number of birds.
1 gallon bucket containing equal amounts of crimped oats, crimped barley and
wheat
1/2 quart plain yogurt (with active cultures)
1 quart buttermilk
Mix together, add a little water if necessary, and refrigerate overnight.
Feed the next morning, after grain has absorbed buttermilk and yogurt.