We hadn't intended to put our chicks out with the big girls so early, but it just happened! The chicks were big enough to go outside, so we were keeping them separate from our big pullets, but they just decided that they wanted to free range with the flock and roost with them at night! I couldn't say no to that...
however, I am trying to get them to keep eating chick grower! The fact that they now share a coop makes that slightly more difficult... I am trying to separate them as often as I can to feed them a wet mash of chick grower, but they're still eating the layer food and of course, whatever they find free-ranging.
The whole flock is a different age, so feeding has become somewhat varied. We feed them all a mix of grower/finish and layer ration, as well as whatever they get free ranging about 5 hours a day and free-ranging in their run for the rest of the day. We only have one hen that is currently laying. The others are about two weeks to a month away (at the most)! I didn't want to put oyster for the layer, as it might hurt the littlest chicks (6-8 weeks), and the layer doesn't seem affected, as all of her shells are hard and she lays regularly. However, when the rest of the girls start laying, I will want to put in a little oyster shell for free choice.
Will I injure my 6-8 week old chicks? One of which, is a rooster I might add. They will be 8-10 weeks when this happens.
Thanks!
however, I am trying to get them to keep eating chick grower! The fact that they now share a coop makes that slightly more difficult... I am trying to separate them as often as I can to feed them a wet mash of chick grower, but they're still eating the layer food and of course, whatever they find free-ranging.
The whole flock is a different age, so feeding has become somewhat varied. We feed them all a mix of grower/finish and layer ration, as well as whatever they get free ranging about 5 hours a day and free-ranging in their run for the rest of the day. We only have one hen that is currently laying. The others are about two weeks to a month away (at the most)! I didn't want to put oyster for the layer, as it might hurt the littlest chicks (6-8 weeks), and the layer doesn't seem affected, as all of her shells are hard and she lays regularly. However, when the rest of the girls start laying, I will want to put in a little oyster shell for free choice.
Will I injure my 6-8 week old chicks? One of which, is a rooster I might add. They will be 8-10 weeks when this happens.
Thanks!
