Commercial feeds may vary in quality and some of the essential elements will degenerate in hot conditions. Poultry should always be given the correct type of feed. Interchanging these feeds is not recommended unless absolutely unavoidable. Such hens suffer egg laying problems and tend to produce fewer and smaller eggs. If birds are doing poorly on a commercial feed try changing the brand of feed used.
Several brands are available including some from South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland.
A good mix cannot be made from poor ingredients. Vitamin supplements should be kept in a refrigerator but not frozen. Recommended mixtures are shown in the table. Amount of Feed Very young chickens should be fed ad lib. Overfeeding is generally not a problem in the Top End, where continuous access to feed all year round is acceptable but it is wise to monitor hens body condition and reduce feed if they are becoming fat.