Poultry Feed for Silkie & Ornamental
What is the best poultry feed for silkie and ornamental birds? Find out what ingredients set Nutrena® specialty feed apart from other poultry feed brands on the market and why we provide the best support for silkie and ornamental birds.
FAQs About Silkie & Ornamental Birds
If you’re a poultry owner trying to understand the best diet for silkie and ornamental birds, it’s important to read these frequently asked questions about ingredients, diet requirements, and what is guaranteed on your feed tag. In order to choose the best poultry feed for specialty birds, you have to know what factors go into making their diets unique.
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What’s the difference between feeding Silkie & Ornamental vs. other chicken breeds?
Raising silkie, ornamental, and bantam chicks require attention to detail, especially when it comes to their nutrition.
NatureWise® Silkie & Ornamental Layer Feed is specifically formulated for silkie, ornamental and bantam birds. Fortified with 22% protein, amino acids, Thiamine (Vitamin B1), Selenium, Vitamin E and essential oils, this feed supports special birds’ unique dietary needs. The smaller-sized, unique Clean Crumb™ is designed for small beaks, so your special birds get the nutrients they need while reducing feed waste and mess. Plus, this feed is crafted for silkies and ornamental breeds but is safe and nutritionally balanced for all breeds of poultry if you have a mixed flock.
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Why is feed form important for silkie and ornamental birds?
Specialty birds like silkie and ornamental chickens have smaller beaks. So, when choosing a diet, it’s important to consider feed form in addition to nutritional value. Large pellets may be harder to eat, looking for a Micro Clean Crumb™ like in NatureWise Silkie & Ornamental feed can ensure more efficient feeding and less waste.
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How much protein do silkie and ornamental birds require?
Silkie and ornamental birds need higher protein than standard layers due to their unique feather structure and smaller size. A good rule of thumb is to aim for 22% protein in silkie and ornamental feed to support:
- Feather regrowth during molt
- Egg production year-round
- Muscle tone and immune health (with added Thiamine and Vitamin E)
In addition to minimum protein guaranteed, also be mindful to balance amino acids, vitamins, and minerals to avoid deficiencies or excesses.
Recommended Silkie & Ornamental Feed
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NatureWise
Silkie & Ornamental Starter Grower 24% Protein Micro Clean Crumb
24.0% Crude Protein5.0% Max Crude Fiber5.0% Crude FatA 24% protein Micro Clean Crumb™ for specialty chicks as the sole diet beginning at hatch.Learn More -
NatureWise
Silkie & Ornamental Layer 22% Protein Clean Crumb
22.0% Crude Protein4.5% Max Crude Fiber5.0% Crude FatA 22% protein Clean Crumb™ for specialty breeds with smaller beaks and unique nutritional needs after 16 weeks of age or at the onset of lay.Learn More -
NatureWise
All Flock 20% Protein Crumble
20.0% Crude Protein6.0% Max Crude Fiber2.5% Crude FatA 20% protein crumble for mixed flocks, including layers, turkeys, ducks, geese, and pheasants older than 7 weeks.Learn More
Exclusive Features in NatureWise Poultry Feed
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Herbal Blend
We carefully craft our feeds with a unique blend of herbs and essential oils, ensuring your birds are nourished and beaming with a glow of good health.
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FlockShield™
Formulated ingredients to supports a strong immune system, optimal digestion, and superior nutrient absorption in healthy flocks.
Silkie & Ornamental Blog Articles
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Raising Silkie, Ornamental, & Bantam Chicks: A Guide to Proper Nutrition
Raising Silkie, ornamental, and bantam chicks can be an incredibly rewarding experience. That said, these special chicks do require special care, particularly when it comes to their nutrition.
View Blog -
How to Choose the Right Chicken for Your Family
There are a number of useful tools online to help folks pick the best breed for their level of experience and space, production, and interaction needs. Here, we’ll focus on families with young kids looking for their first flock of hens.
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Mixing Poultry Breeds in Your Flock
If you’re ready to add some variety to your backyard flock, mixing chicken breeds can be a fun way to explore different personalities, egg production levels, and appearances. A Nutrena poultry expert shares practical advice on choosing breeds, feeding strategies, and avoiding common flock issues.
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Are Bantam Chickens Right for You?
Bantam chickens can be a lot of fun, but before you bring them home you should understand some basic facts about how to best care for them and the pros and cons of these miniatures.
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