Chick Feed

JKCluckey

In the Brooder
Aug 11, 2020
27
38
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My chicks are about 9-10 weeks old now and I was wondering how long to keep feeding them chick feed and start feeding them regular hen feed? I have already started giving them scratch and I let them out of the coop every day for a few hours so they can forage as well. Ive heard about feeding them grit and oyster shells? I'm just wondering what a good healthy diet is for my girls. Im a first time chicken mom and I could use all the help I can get.
 
If by regular hen feed you mean layer feed, you don't want to start that until after they start to lay. Chick starter or grower is fine to feed them from now until then. You could even continue to feed the starter as it has a higher protein content, but always have a source of calcium available free choice once they start to lay. Oyster shells are popular but you don't have to offer that until much later, when they're ready to lay. If they are outside they should be able to find their own grit, but it won't hurt to offer them some for chicks. Try to keep treats to a minimum and encourage foraging.
 
My chicks are about 9-10 weeks old now and I was wondering how long to keep feeding them chick feed and start feeding them regular hen feed? I have already started giving them scratch and I let them out of the coop every day for a few hours so they can forage as well. Ive heard about feeding them grit and oyster shells? I'm just wondering what a good healthy diet is for my girls. Im a first time chicken mom and I could use all the help I can get.
You could switch them to a feed like "All Flock" or grower feed like this:
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/dumor-poultry-grower-finisher-15-feed-50-lb
For myself, I feed the chick feed until the first egg. It does not cost that much more, and the higher protein is good for egg layers, I think.
 
You could probably start feeding a grower feed now.
Oyster shell will be needed when your pullets begin to lay eggs.
Grit is needed for your chickens to grind and digest the nutrients in there food, especially feed like whole grains.
Scratch grain is primilarly a treat, (think cake and ice cream), it should be fed infrequently.
 
I feed mine chick feed until the first egg. I give them grit when I start to feed extras like bird seed or scratch as a small treat. Mine are around 4-5 months age and have not started laying yet but I started to mix all flock pellets with the chick crumble just because they don't waste the pellets as bad. I feed the layer pellets after the first egg and do not offer oyster shell because my chicken eggs have always had good shells, so they're getting a well balanced diet with feed and foraging alone. I do have a tray of poultry grit offered but they hardly ever eat it.
 
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Thanks for the advice! It's really helpful:) I don't give my girls the scratch all the time. Maybe once a week or so. We feed them turnip greens and tomatoes from the garden and apples too. Its not a daily thing, but when we pick the garden we give them some too and they love it.
 

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