Metabolism And Feeding

[Thomas Lamprogiorgos]

There are many local or indigenous chicken breeds on the planet that have never been fed commercial fully formulated feed. Scratch and scraps are used instead of fully formulated feed.
a) What happens to the metabolism of these breeds?
b) How will their metabolism change if they are fed commercial chicken feed?
c) Does feeding affect the immune system of the animal? And if yes, how does it affect the immune system?

 

[sourland]

a) Such birds are generally free range and able to balance their nutritional needs.

b) Life will become easier.

c) Absolutely. Adequate nutrition boosts the immune system. Inadequate nutrition has the converse affect.

 

[Thomas Lamprogiorgos]

a) Such birds are generally free range and able to balance their nutritional needs.

b) Life will become easier.

c) Absolutely. Adequate nutrition boosts the immune system. Inadequate nutrition has the converse affect.

Very interesting answers.
The only disagreement of mine is that not all of them are on pasture.