Six practical ways to prevent chickens from wasting feed

1. Use complete compound feed to improve feed absorption and utilization. An incomplete nutrient profile in the diet means the chickens increase their feed intake to compensate, which is undoubtedly the greatest and least noticeable waste. Feed must be scientifically formulated according to the physiological characteristics and growth and development of the chickens (broilers and laying hens).

2. Feed should not be ground too fine. Feed that is too fine is not only unsuitable for eating but also increases dust, causing feed waste.

3. Improve the feeders to prevent feed waste. Provide feeders with a reasonable structure according to the age of the chickens, and try to prevent the chickens from getting into the trough while also preventing them from pecking feed out of it.

4. Improve the feeding method: feed little but often. The amount of feed added should not exceed one third of the depth of the trough. This lets the chickens eat their fill without leaving leftover feed in the trough.

5. Pay attention to storage. Prevent the feed from becoming moldy and spoiled, and from damage by rats and insects, rain, and direct sunlight.

6. Promptly cull low-yielding hens, hens that have stopped laying, and older hens.