Chic Starter

[MaryVic]

I'm new at this and was hoping someone could tell me if I should feed my 4 month old Pullets chic starter. I purchased my Pullets from a private owner, he was feeding them a wild bird mix that was not medicated. Should I give them medicated starter to make sure they stay healthy? The kind of starter I am using with my 3 week olds says to continue with the starter for 22 weeks..Is it too late to give it to the older pullets, would it benefit them??

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Medicated starter is used to build immunity to cocidiosis, at four months old yours should probably have immunity, I would put them on a good quality starter grower non medicated, to help them overcome any deficiencies they might have from the bird seed diet, switch to a layer if you wish after most of them are laying, otherwise leave them on a grower or all flock with oyster shells on the side.

 

[MaryVic]

Thank you, I will look into the non-medicated starter, also I've seen multi vitamins and supplements, are they necessary? A friend told me to get a poultry block, would that be something to give them regularly or like a treat?
Sorry if these questions are silly, but I want to make sure my hens are happy and healthy

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Well there are many ways to feed chickens, some follow the ration only with small treats, others like me are a little more Willy nilly about feeding, it does depend some on available free ranging, which allows for a less strict diet because they can balance their own diet, if your birds are confined than they are at your mercy.

I always have ration available, both an all flock and a layer, I give mine ground corn sunflower seed for scratch twice a day, oyster shells and grit. I also give all kinds of leftovers and produce, and things like oatmeal.

You shouldn't need a vitamin supplement as the prepared ration will have all that, I personally haven't tried the blocks but they seem to be something that would give chickens something to peck at, especially for birds that are confined.

No question is silly, it's the best way to learn, so keep asking.

 

[MaryVic]

I really appreciate your help, and thank you. My girls are confined, although they do have a fairly large coop/ run area. I would love to free range but I'm in town and I worry about them flying the coop. I do plan on letting them run my garden area during the growing off season, will I need to clip their wings or enclose the area completely??

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It does depend on the breeds you have and how adventurous they are, I don't recommend wing clippings unless absolutely necessary because then they have trouble getting on roosts and in the nestboxes. You could enclose it if you don't have a yard fence, or just stay there and watch them, chickens can be herded fairly well, move slowly, perhaps using a stick to extend your reach. Though left unsupervised or unfenced they might start to wander.

When first allowed to free range chickens are usually tentative and don't initially go far, eventually they try to stay close to cover, while expanding their area. It can be best to free range in the evening because they will want to return to the coop by sundown.

 

[MaryVic]

I have wyandottes, not sure about the little ones, I have a 4 ft. fence in the area already, not sure if I need more than that, if so, I'll make a full enclosure. I would rather not clip their wings, if I can avoid it. We have neighbors who have some untrained, aggressive dogs and I just don't want them to get hurt. They are soo sweet!!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Wyandotte are in between, they are not light and flighty, and they aren't big and slow, mine won't jump up four feet without something to get on first. If you want to not ever have to worry enclose it, if you do decide to clip wings try just doing one which will throw them off balance.

I'm fortunately country, so my neighbors are a bit away, and my chickens are free range, though occasionally I lose one to predators, so it comes down to whether you want to take a risk or not with the neighbors dogs, who would most likely kill any chickens that come into their yard. See I just talked myself into enclosing it if I were you.

 

[MaryVic]

I agree, I definitely don't want to worry about my girls, thank you for the advice. I love this sight! You have been very helpful!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Happy to help a fellow chicken keeper.