can chicks eat chicken feed?

[genabeana]

FYI because it's so cool -

The chicks think the hen is Mom, and the hen likes them too! Tonight she went up the ramp into the coop at dusk and they didn't see her go. They PEEPED and PEEPED in distress for a very long time until they slowly (being chickens!) figured it out. They continued to PEEP loudly for about 5 minutes until they finally calmed down and went to sleep. I should video tape it!

 

[faykokoWV]

too cool, glad it worked out

 

[Whirlwind]

I bet your hen was lonely. She probably took up with them fairly quickly. I just put my teenagers [12 week olds] in my coop with the 3 big girls on Sunday. They seem fine already except at roost time there is still a bit of a you can't be up here or you are in the wrong spot. Kinda funny to watch really. Glad things are going well.

 

[Sillystunt]

That is so awesome! I think it is great she accepted them and is now a momma hen!

i wonder now if i put mine on layer to early? They are 26+ weeks old. Should i switch them back? They have been eating it for a month. Still not laying either~
I never even thought about the whole kidney issues.

 

[danab]

At what age would you say it is safe to start feeding layer feed to the chicks. When I bought my chicks at the LFS they told me to feed them one bag of starter, and then switch to layer. I went with 3 bags before I switched though.

 

[PunkinPeep]

At what age would you say it is safe to start feeding layer feed to the chicks. When I bought my chicks at the LFS they told me to feed them one bag of starter, and then switch to layer. I went with 3 bags before I switched though.

You shouldn't feed them layer until they're at or really close to laying age. You should feed a starter or grower until then. The layer feed has more calcium than a non-laying chicken can process. It can cause kidney damage.​

 

[danab]

Thanks, I guess I will go get some more starter and put the layer away for now.

 

[genabeana]

Silly stunt:

I'm pretty sure (99%) that any time after 18 weeks is good for layer food.
That's the time they start laying and need the calcium.