Glad you mentioned that. Why all the newbie questions on "what to feed, when, to who"??? Honestly? Really? Right on the bag of Purina or on the website of every major feed company, the "feed chart" is plain to see. Really, if you don't know what to feed who when, then why not just follow the directions? One day, perhaps you'll read and learn more about nutrition, but meanwhile, why is this even a question? These people feed their children, right? How complicated does this have to be?
I've never purchased grit. With all the sand on this property, there's no known need. Here's a real shocker. I've never bought oyster shells either. Not once. Never have soft shells either. My thinking is that my grandmother's chickens, in 1895, couldn't have walked the thousand miles to the ocean to find oyster shells. Feed back the eggs shells. They're free. And, for pity's sake, there's no need to bake, nuke, wash, sterilize or otherwise fuss with them. Again, you'd think this stuff is rocket science or something.
I've never used a thermostat in brooding either. I brood in March, with night time lows in the 40s and I do NOT lose chicks. I've got a couple of those famous Wal-Mart tubs, but I use them to transport tools to job site, never to brood chicks.
Oh my. The list of this kind of stuff goes on and on and on. I've got gardens to work, repairs to make, some business travel to do, and generally, a life to live.
I never incubated chickens until last year. The first time I was obsessive about temperatures because it was what I kept seeing on the site. After I saw some experienced OT's talking about chicks running around in the snow, I stopped worrying so much. And guess what? No 'pasty butt', just happy, healthy chicks. I give a heat lamp in a large area, they can get under it if and when they want. Also had my first broody hen this year hatch out three chicks. I wish I had a couple more broodys! She taught me a lot, mostly about how silly it is to worry about how 'fragile' chicks are.
I agree, Fred. I have gardens to tend, a job, a family, and other interests. My chickens are a part of my life, but not the center of it.