Some Q's for the group

[cindyloowhoo]

Hi everyone, wasn't sure what to put this under so decided on everything else. Have a few Q's that I could use some answers to.
1. For how long do you feed the medicated chick crumbles, just til the bag runs out and then go to something like "laying feed" or??

2. Do most of you usher them all into the coop at night just leave their little chick door open for them to go in and out when they're ready (in the morning) or do you close it up for the night

3. Any luck with doing some gardening around their area to look nice, without them destroying it?

4. How long would you say it takes for them to become trained enough to stick relatively close by when I'm outside with them, and not worry about them scurrying far away or flying to where I can't get them? They run to me like crazy when I call them now but they're not in their "new world" just yet but will be this weekend

I think that's all I have for now...Really appreciate any and all help I can get on here!

 

[Mr&MrsSimmonsCalifornia]

We feed ours the crumble till they feather out..

We do close our coop up at night so nothing gets in and open it in the morning, they do put there self to bed once they figure it out and are ready..

I GROW lavender and peppermint all around the coop and they don't really mess with it at all..

I never had a problem with any of mine running away although they do like to visit the neighbors in the afternoon and come back after an hour or so everyday like clockwork...

 

[Golden Brahma 64]

1. 6-7 weeks

2.close them in at night and let them out in the morning. If you have trouble getting them in at night just keep putting them in on the roosts and they’ll eventually get the hang of it. You could also throw some feed in if you have trouble catching them.

3. No problem whatsoever unless you’re growing berries, lupins and lettice.

4. Chickens don’t usually wander too far. At least I’ve never had that problem

 

[Adrien515]

We feed ours the crumble till they feather out..

We do close our coop up at night so nothing gets in and open it in the morning, they do put there self to bed once they figure it out and are ready..

I GROW lavender and peppermint all around the coop and they don't really mess with it at all..

I never had a problem with any of mine running away although they do like to visit the neighbors in the afternoon and come back after an hour or so everyday like clockwork...

agreed

 

[Mr&MrsSimmonsCalifornia]

1. 6-7 weeks

2.close them in at night and let them out in the morning. If you have trouble getting them in at night just keep putting them in on the roosts and they’ll eventually get the hang of it. You could also throw some feed in if you have trouble catching them.

3. No problem whatsoever unless you’re growing berries, lupins and lettice.
View attachment 1392253 View attachment 1392254 View attachment 1392255

4. Chickens don’t usually wander too far. At least I’ve never had that problem

Such a beautiful coop garden!!!

 

[cindyloowhoo]

Thanks so much for the replies! Lavender and Mint, good idea since I love having lots of lavender around anyway, smells great and looks pretty!

 

[FeatherstoneFrm]

Question to go with your first question.
I've been feeding starter/grower and my bag is almost empty. Research said I should now go to a grower finisher. They are 9 and 10 weeks.
Is that right or should I go to a layer feed? Need to do this while I still have enough grower to transition.

 

[Sneebsey]

You don't want to go to a layer feed until they are laying; it contains too much calcium for a bird that isn't producing eggs. I don't feed layer feed at all; mine get unmedicated grower (finisher) from 6 weeks onward with oyster shell on the side for the hens, and it works well for me.

You always want to shut birds in at night to avoid the risk of predation. I go around with a stick and wave it around and shoo them in. Probably very funny for the neighbours to watch.

Gardening is an iffy one; they love to dustbathe in the beds but they aren't much of a threat to mature plants.

Mine wander quite far, but never out of sight of home.

 

[PouleChick]

3. No problem whatsoever unless you’re growing berries, lupins and lettice.

Wow - is that their run or just outside it? It looks absolutely lovely!!!

 

[Golden Brahma 64]

Wow - is that their run or just outside it? It looks absolutely lovely!!!

They don’t have a run, that’s just where their coop is and it’s where they mostly hang out. Thanks