Chicken Feed PLEASE HELP!

[Sillystunt]

were they vaccinated? if so non medicated if they were then non medicated.
Also make sure they have plenty of fresh water!!

Don't give them treats till older.My youngest are 8 weeks and only get plain yogart and crumbles mixed together.

You will need a brooder for them, a rubbermaid box is good. Also they need to stay warm, free from predators. I kept mine in until they were several weeks old then i made a chicken tractor for them to put outside.When they get the same size as my hens, they will go into the coop and run

 

[Sillystunt]

Quote:
when they lay their first egg you will give them layer. About 6-8 months old. Grit a little sooner but some people don't even give it to them. I never did. you can also tie up a grit stone(parakett's use) and they will peck at it. Good option since your starting~

What kind are you getting?

 

[Joyryder]

Welcome to the Flock
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You might want to pick up a copy of "Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens" by Gail Damerow. It's a great reference book.

 

[team_realtree]

Quote:
when they lay their first egg you will give them layer. About 6-8 months old. Grit a little sooner but some people don't even give it to them. I never did. you can also tie up a grit stone(parakett's use) and they will peck at it. Good option since your starting~

What kind are you getting?

Im still not sure im looking at a few breeds. So for 6-8 Months they can live off starter crumbles and I can ease into treats as they age? Im kind of suprised that there is no diet transitition through 8 months! But anyways im the one thats new at this

Is layer pellets their main food source substituting for starter feed?

 

[morelcabin]

Chicks need chick starter until about 10 weeks
Then they get grower/finisher until about 18 weeks
At 18 weeks they get layer pellets.

Scratch is a treat, I give it to them every day to get them back in the coop if they range free, or to give them extra heat in winter.
Vegetables and table scraps can be given if you have them but are not nessessary, everything they really need is in the layer pellets. If they are on pellets they don't need grit.

 

[team_realtree]

What would be the benefit of going start-grower-pellets rather than starter right to pellets as the previous poster suggested?

 

[Sillystunt]

Quote:
when they lay their first egg you will give them layer. About 6-8 months old. Grit a little sooner but some people don't even give it to them. I never did. you can also tie up a grit stone(parakett's use) and they will peck at it. Good option since your starting~

What kind are you getting?

Im still not sure im looking at a few breeds. So for 6-8 Months they can live off starter crumbles and I can ease into treats as they age? Im kind of suprised that there is no diet transitition through 8 months! But anyways im the one thats new at this

Is layer pellets their main food source substituting for starter feed?

yes, yes and yes. Yes, to all.....You can get starter pellets when they get older before they lay their first egg. i never did. It's usually around 6 months they lay their first egg. Mine just liked crumble, they actually snubbed the layer pellets at first but soon learned that was their food. Mine forage for worms, bugs, meal worms and bugs bugs bugs. that's a great source of protien. they also like to eat fish cooked. i hate fish so we don't give it to them, i have even seen lobster given.

Rhode Island reds are great brown egg layers same with barred rocks. Buy sexed pullets and stay away from straight run.Straight run ate mainly roo's. www.mypetchicken.com is a great start.min order is 3 and they have pic's and info on breeds.

You can visit my byc page to the left<----------- You can see my chickens have done fine on that formula.

What color eggs do you want?

 

[morelcabin]

It's a change in protien, helps them grow bigger better:>)

 

[team_realtree]

Thanks for all the information! I know feel I have a way better grasp on the subject. Thanks a ton!

 

[Sillystunt]

instead of grower i made up in the lack of protien with other sources. it's really preference. Everyone has their own way.i buy meal worms for mine when they could be on grower. I just never used it and my chickens are doing very well! they also free ranged..bugs bugs and more bugs