What to feed my chicks

tjmings · Feb 21, 2016

I just introduced my 8-12 week old chicks to my established flock that are at laying age. My chicks have been on starter feed. I know they should stay on starter feed until they are at laying age but not sure how I could do that and keep them out of the layer feed. Is it okay for the chicks to be eating the layer feed instead of starter feed?

Alexandra33 · Feb 21, 2016

I don't know how the experts on here would do it, but I've always put nothing but starter feed out for ALL the birds when there are chicks, laying or not. You should definitely put some free choice oyster shell out for your older girls, though, since they need some calcium in their diet to support stronger shells. You'll probably get better advice, but this is what I've done several times.

-Alex

Bailey1204 · Feb 21, 2016

First of all, you need to give them grower food until they're 8 weeks old, not starter. Starter is for chicks up to two weeks. After 8 weeks you need to give them normal adult food. You can keep them out of the hen food by making a shelf feeder. You put the hen's layer food up high like on a brick where the chicks can't reach it. You put the chick food in a canopy with a door big enough for the chicks but not the hens. Make sure you show both the chicks and adults which food is theirs.

keesmom · Feb 21, 2016

You can feed starter to everyone with oyster shell on the side. Many of us never use layer feed, instead using an all flock feed so that is another option.

What to feed my chicks

More options

tjmings

Chirping

Alexandra33

Chook Snuggler

Bailey1204

Chirping

keesmom

Free Ranging

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