Geauga Feed & Grain Supply stocks a comprehensive selection of poultry feed for chickens, geese, ducks, turkeys, guinea fowl, quail, pheasants, and other types of birds. We can help you feed your poultry well to keep your flock healthy and your eggs plentiful. From starter feed to grower, layer, breeder, duck chow, and more, we stock a variety of protein-wise feeds that are formulated according to a bird’s age and whether they are meat birds, layer birds, or breeder birds. If you’re new to raising chickens or other backyard birds, don’t just wing it. Talk to us so together we can formulate a feeding plan that meets the nutritional requirements of your particular birds.
Poultry need treats, too!
Be sure to stop by our store to check out our poultry treats. Yes, poultry enjoy getting goodies as much as their four-legged friends! You’ll find everything from cracked corn, dried mealworm and crickets, protein bars, sunflower cakes, and other packaged treats which you can use to earn your birds’ trust and get them to interact with you.
Meat bird feeding guide
Choosing a high protein feed for growing meat chickens, turkeys, and ducks is essential for maximizing your birds’ growth. Modern varieties of meat birds have been bred to grow rapidly and build large breast muscles. To support this rapid growth, care should be taken to match the protein percent of feed to the nutritional requirement of your birds. If fed properly, meat birds will gain one pound of meat per two pounds of feed consumed. This is called “feed conversion.”
Read more . . .
The source of the protein in feeds is important. Protein is made up of amino acids. The highest quality protein matches the amino acid requirement of the animal consuming the feed. The highest quality protein sources for monogastric animals, such as humans, poultry and swine, are eggs, milk and meat, in that order. Lower quality protein from grain sources needs to be supplemented with specific amino acids (lysine and methionine) to avoid a deficiency. Do not be intimidated to feed a formula that contains meat and bone meal as these are high-quality protein source for poultry. Remember that birds are omnivores, meaning that they eat both meat and plants naturally.
Supplying unlimited access to fresh water promotes growth. Birds will consume two pounds of water for every pound of feed consumed. Birds should never be without water.
The guides below summarize both the amount of feed and the percentages of crude protein recommendations.
Choosing and feeding a poultry STARTER*
Species | How Long/Much | Amount Per Day | Protein % |
Ducks | Until 2 lbs is consumed per bird | Full feed | 20-24%** |
Broilers | Until 2 lbs is consumed per bird | Full feed | 26-30% |
Turkeys | 12 weeks of age | Full feed | 28% |
Choosing and Feeding a Poultry GROWER
Species | How Long/Much | Amount Per Day | Protein % |
Ducks | After starter | Full feed | 18-21% |
Broilers | After starter | Full feed | 20-23% |
Turkeys | After 12 weeks of age | Full feed | 28% |
* Starter feed is a seasonal product and not always stocked at feed stores. Call TWO weeks before the arrival of your bird to order starter feed.
** Duck starter is difficult to find. A good second choice is a turkey/game bird feed.
View our most popular selection of quality poultry feed
Note: Starter feed is a seasonal product. If you plan to purchase it outside of March through July, please call us at least two weeks in advance at (440) 564-5000 to place your order.
Nutrena® NatureWise Chick Starter
Balanced energy, protein, and amino acid levels help promote early rapid growth. Fortified with vitamins and minerals to help maintain flock growth and healthy development.
Crude Protein: 20%
Form: Crumble
Nutrena® NatureWise Chick Grower
Nutritionally balanced protein and amino acids match the nutrient requirements of growing birds for energy. Fortified with vitamins and minerals to help maintain flock growth and healthy development.
Crude Protein: 20%
Form: Crumble
Nutrena® NatureWise Layer 16% Feed
Nutritionally balanced energy, protein, and mineral levels to support egg production. Fortified with vitamins and trace minerals to help maintain flock production.
Crude Protein: 16%
Form: Crumble
Nutrena® NatureSmart Certified Organic Starter/Grower
Produced without the use of convention pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, or sludge. Its grains have not been bioengineered or exposed in any way to ionizing radiation.
Crude Protein: __%
Form: Need type
Nutrena® NatureSmart Certified Organic Layer
Produced without the use of convention pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, or sludge. Its grains have not been bioengineered or exposed in any way to ionizing radiation.
Crude Protein: __%
Form: Need type
Nutrena® NatureWise Meatbird Feed
Formulated for turkeys, breeder turkeys, geese, breeder geese, ducks, breeder ducks, game birds, breeder game birds, and broilers. Nutritionally balanced to match the nutrient requirements of meat birds for energy and body growth. Added fat improves feed conversion and weight gain. Allows use of a single feed.
Crude Protein: __%
Form: Need type
Little Ireland Feed™ Layer Mash
Complete feed to be the sole source of energy, protein, calcium, and other minerals needed for maximum egg production. Made in Geauga County.
Crude Protein: 16%
Form: Mash
Gerber Broiler Starter/Grower
Grown in Wayne County, this high-quality protein source offers the perfect balance of essential amino acids for maximum muscle development. Don’t be fooled by the plain packaging; Gerber is top-notch feed.
Crude Protein: 20%
Form: Mash
ADM PenPals® Game Bird Starter
Formulated for pheasants, quail, chukars, waterfowl, and turkey.
Crude Protein: 28%
Form: Need type
ADM PenPals® Game Bird Conditioner
Formulated for pheasants, quail, chukars, waterfowl, and turkey.
Crude Protein: 20%
Form: Need type
ADM PenPals® Game Bird Breeder
Formulated for pheasants, quail, chukars, waterfowl, and turkey.
Crude Protein: 22%
Form: Need type
Little Ireland Feed™ Feed Scratch Grain
Blend of cracked corn, oats, and wheat. Made in Geauga County.
Purina® Duck Chow
High-protein blends formulated specifically for a duck’s age and purpose (raising for meat or eggs). Several varieties and transition formulas to choose from.
Purina® Oyster Shell
Calcium supplement for laying hens in free-range conditions when scratch grains, table scraps, etc. comprise a major portion of the diet.
Purina® Poultry Grit
Crushed granite supplement helps support healthy digestion in adult chickens, turkeys, and game birds.
General feeding and care tips for poultry
Caution:
- Remember that poultry may carry Salmonella germs that can make people very sick. Be sure to wash your hands each time you care for them. Keep poultry away from all human food and food serving areas including outdoor patio and picnic areas.
Baby poultry:
- While you may be tempted to keep baby poultry indoors (let’s face it, they’re super cute), they are outdoor animals and need fresh air. You can place them in a coop, garage, or porch area but be sure to shelter them from the elements including rain and drafts.
- Baby poultry should be kept away from older birds in a contained, warm area for several weeks. Place an overhead heat lamp hung in the center approximately 20 inches off the ground that allows the chicks and poults to move freely to adjust their own temperature levels. Gradually reduce the heat over time by moving the lamp further away every few days.
- Baby poultry through 8 weeks should be given starter feed. Ask us for balanced nutrition advice and feeding tips, especially if it seems like your little ones aren’t eating.
- Provide clean water daily and keep water and food containers disinfected regularly.
- Wood shavings make good ground cover for chicks and poults. Be sure to change it daily to prevent disease.
Mature poultry:
- Supplying unlimited access to fresh water promotes growth. Poultry nipple waterers are the best way to keep your birds’ water clean and they are proven to reduce disease.
- Keep the coop area dry and clean to reduce respiratory issues, mold, bacteria, and other harmful organisms that can cause diseases.
- Your birds’ food source should be formulated according to their species type, age, and purpose. Different birds require different protein, probiotics, and other vitamins and minerals.
- Use packaged treats sparingly. They should not comprise more than 5% of your birds’ daily food intake.
- Scrambled eggs and dried mealworms are healthy snacks and great sources of protein.
- Maintain a proper vaccination program for layer and breeder birds.
- Regulated hours of daylight are especially important for layer birds. Use a 40-60 watt light bulb and timer to assure consistency (approximately 14 hours of light each day).
- Observe your birds’ droppings. Just like most animals, abnormal feces can be a sign of illness.
- Provide a shallow sand or dry dirt area for your birds to clean themselves. “Dust baths” are an important way for some birds to clean themselves.
Whether you’re raising a few chicks or a flock of meat birds, we’re here to help make sure their proper nutrition needs are being met at every development stage. Visit our store in Newbury or give us a “cluck” at (440) 564-5000 with any questions or concerns.