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ok, back to VERY basics

post #1 of 11
5/8/12 at 6:20am
Thread Starter 

What do i feed them?  I have seen loads of different mixes etc.  Do i just need any chicken food mix?  What do i do with the grit?  Do i chuck it on the ground, or do i need to put it in a second feeder?

 

Thanks

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post #2 of 11
5/8/12 at 6:25am

Rorie, what do you have?  Laying hens?  Chicks?  Adult birds?

Proud owner of some nice show quality Buckeyes and Silver Penciled Plymouth Rocks.  I love gardening and being outdoors.  I'm lucky to have a great family, and two cute dogs.  I live out in the country on six wooded acres and it's just paradise!  (Except the mortgage payment and bills, of course)

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Proud owner of some nice show quality Buckeyes and Silver Penciled Plymouth Rocks.  I love gardening and being outdoors.  I'm lucky to have a great family, and two cute dogs.  I live out in the country on six wooded acres and it's just paradise!  (Except the mortgage payment and bills, of course)

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post #3 of 11
5/8/12 at 6:44am
Thread Starter 

Just now, eggs haha.  Some info on what to give them as chicks, then as adults would be great.  How long are they 'chicks' for?

I have Chocolate Orpington Bantams.

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post #4 of 11
5/10/12 at 7:14am
Thread Starter 

Hi,

Hoping someone can help with this question?

 

Anybody in the UK that can suggest the best place to buy online?  Ideally if you can give a link to everythign i need haha.

 

I gather i need baby food for the first six weeks, then onto normal food and grit?  Can anyone give example please?

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post #5 of 11
5/10/12 at 7:30am
I give chick starter for the first 6 weeks. Then I keep a feeder full of layer mash in the hen house, there is a chick feeder with calcium in it next to that and a waterer. They free range all day year round so, no grit needed. Twice a day I throw them 3 grain scratch, a handful for each bird, and the so birds clean up any left over...that's it's smiles all around.
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post #6 of 11
5/10/12 at 8:56am

Honestly, I would suggest some study time.  Like all good hobbies, endeavors or adventures, a lot of planning, study and doing background work is involved.  Here at BYC, we have a great learning center.  It is filled with tutorials, articles, step by step guidance on everything about basic chicken hatching, raising, brooding, keeping, etc.

 

Click the big, brown Learning Center tab at the top of the page and work your way through some of the menus.  There is a lot of helpful information there.

 

 

Practicing Sustainable Agriculture At The 45th Parallel

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Practicing Sustainable Agriculture At The 45th Parallel

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post #7 of 11
5/10/12 at 9:09am

 

Starter --
A balanced feed meant as the sole ration for chicks from hatching to twelve weeks of age.
At 12 weeks of age the birds can be changed to Grower or Developer. Starter can be Medicated or Non-Medicated when Medicated it is with either Amprolium or Lasalocid. Starter is available in Mash, Crumble or Pellet form

Stater/ Grower --
A balanced feed meant as the sole ration for chicks from hatching to chickens begin to lay, this feed can be Medicated or Non-Medicated. If medicated it will be with either Amprolium or Lasalocid. Starter/ Grower is available mostly in Crumble or Pellet form.

Grower --
Feed as the sole ration to chicks 12 weeks of age as a finisher. Grower feed is meant to feed until the chickens begin to lay, then bird can be switched to a complete Laying. Most Grower feed is Non-Medicated but some are Medicated with Bacitracin. Grower is mostly available in available in Crumble or Pellet form.

Finisher  -- See above for Grower

Layer --
Feed as the sole diet to laying hens maximum production of eggs. Do not feed Layer feed to poultry, which are not in production because of the high calcium levels in the diet. This is particularly true of young growing birds. Layer is available in Mash, Crumble or Pellet form.

Layer/ Breeder --
Feed as the sole diet to laying hens and breeders for maximum production and for improved hatchability. Do not feed Layer feed to poultry, which are not in production because of the high calcium levels in the diet. This is particularly true of young growing birds. Layer/ Breeder is available in Pellet form.

Scratch Grain/ Corn (Maze) --
Is mostly used as a treat and should for the most part be feed separate from there sole feed (example - there Layer feed). Scratch should not exceed 40% of there diet when feeding a high protein feed. (Sole feed 20% protein or better) You may start feeding Scratch Grain at around 12 weeks of age.
Scratch will also very in quality, nutrition, ingredients, it may be as simple as whole corn or as complex as a 14 grain mixture.
I use a Pigeon Grain Mix as scratch and the protein runs around 17% protein and far from being "Candy" or "Cookies" for chickens.

 

Grit --

Small bits of stone that chickens use to grind there feed. Grit is offered when you start offering treats other than there regular commercial feed.

 

 

Chris

 

NPIP # 31-516
Society for the Preservation of Poultry Antiquities http://sppa.webs.com/

Breeding Large Fowl Single and Rose Comb Rhode Island Reds to APA Standard


"I know of no pursuit in which more real and important services can be rendered to any country than by improving its agriculture, its breed of useful animals, and other branches of a husbandman's cares." – 

George Washington

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NPIP # 31-516
Society for the Preservation of Poultry Antiquities http://sppa.webs.com/

Breeding Large Fowl Single and Rose Comb Rhode Island Reds to APA Standard


"I know of no pursuit in which more real and important services can be rendered to any country than by improving its agriculture, its breed of useful animals, and other branches of a husbandman's cares." – 

George Washington

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post #8 of 11
5/10/12 at 9:15am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fred's Hens View Post

Honestly, I would suggest some study time.  Like all good hobbies, endeavors or adventures, a lot of planning, study and doing background work is involved.  Here at BYC, we have a great learning center.  It is filled with tutorials, articles, step by step guidance on everything about basic chicken hatching, raising, brooding, keeping, etc.

 

Click the big, brown Learning Center tab at the top of the page and work your way through some of the menus.  There is a lot of helpful information there.

Thanks, but this doesn't help too much!  The whole point in a forum is to come along and ask questions.  If the question has been asked before, then link to the thread/article.  I have had a look at the 'big brown learning centre tab' but i couldn't find my answer there.  Under the feeding and housing tab it links to here!

 

I am a member of several forums for my various hobbies, with thousands of posts on each - i always try and give helpful answers!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris09 View Post

 

Starter --
A balanced feed meant as the sole ration for chicks from hatching to twelve weeks of age.
At 12 weeks of age the birds can be changed to Grower or Developer. Starter can be Medicated or Non-Medicated when Medicated it is with either Amprolium or Lasalocid. Starter is available in Mash, Crumble or Pellet form

Stater/ Grower --
A balanced feed meant as the sole ration for chicks from hatching to chickens begin to lay, this feed can be Medicated or Non-Medicated. If medicated it will be with either Amprolium or Lasalocid. Starter/ Grower is available mostly in Crumble or Pellet form.

Grower --
Feed as the sole ration to chicks 12 weeks of age as a finisher. Grower feed is meant to feed until the chickens begin to lay, then bird can be switched to a complete Laying. Most Grower feed is Non-Medicated but some are Medicated with Bacitracin. Grower is mostly available in available in Crumble or Pellet form.

Finisher  -- See above for Grower

Layer --
Feed as the sole diet to laying hens maximum production of eggs. Do not feed Layer feed to poultry, which are not in production because of the high calcium levels in the diet. This is particularly true of young growing birds. Layer is available in Mash, Crumble or Pellet form.

Layer/ Breeder --
Feed as the sole diet to laying hens and breeders for maximum production and for improved hatchability. Do not feed Layer feed to poultry, which are not in production because of the high calcium levels in the diet. This is particularly true of young growing birds. Layer/ Breeder is available in Pellet form.

Scratch Grain/ Corn (Maze) --
Is mostly used as a treat and should for the most part be feed separate from there sole feed (example - there Layer feed). Scratch should not exceed 40% of there diet when feeding a high protein feed. (Sole feed 20% protein or better) You may start feeding Scratch Grain at around 12 weeks of age.
Scratch will also very in quality, nutrition, ingredients, it may be as simple as whole corn or as complex as a 14 grain mixture.
I use a Pigeon Grain Mix as scratch and the protein runs around 17% protein and far from being "Candy" or "Cookies" for chickens.

 

Grit --

Small bits of stone that chickens use to grind there feed. Grit is offered when you start offering treats other than there regular commercial feed.

 

 

Chris

Chris,

 

Thanks you very much!  Either you spent a great deal of time writing that or copied it from somewhere.  Do you mind sharing the link if its a copy and paste job?

Thanks for the help!! :)

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post #9 of 11
5/10/12 at 9:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rorie View Post

Thanks, but this doesn't help too much!  The whole point in a forum is to come along and ask questions.  If the question has been asked before, then link to the thread/article.  I have had a look at the 'big brown learning centre tab' but i couldn't find my answer there.  Under the feeding and housing tab it links to here!

 

I am a member of several forums for my various hobbies, with thousands of posts on each - i always try and give helpful answers!

Chris,

 

Thanks you very much!  Either you spent a great deal of time writing that or copied it from somewhere.  Do you mind sharing the link if its a copy and paste job?

Thanks for the help!! :)

I wrought it up some time ago and I have it saved on my computer. I just copy it and post it. 

Here is a link to a post/sticky of mine that has a lot lot information on poultry in it.

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/343605/diagrams-poultry-parts-charts-and-lots-of-reading-updated-nov-13th

 

 

Chris


Edited by Chris09 - 5/10/12 at 9:30am

 

NPIP # 31-516
Society for the Preservation of Poultry Antiquities http://sppa.webs.com/

Breeding Large Fowl Single and Rose Comb Rhode Island Reds to APA Standard


"I know of no pursuit in which more real and important services can be rendered to any country than by improving its agriculture, its breed of useful animals, and other branches of a husbandman's cares." – 

George Washington

Reply

 

NPIP # 31-516
Society for the Preservation of Poultry Antiquities http://sppa.webs.com/

Breeding Large Fowl Single and Rose Comb Rhode Island Reds to APA Standard


"I know of no pursuit in which more real and important services can be rendered to any country than by improving its agriculture, its breed of useful animals, and other branches of a husbandman's cares." – 

George Washington

Reply
post #10 of 11
5/10/12 at 9:29am
Thread Starter 

And it is now saved on my computer :)  Thanks for the help

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Raising Chickens on a Shoestring