Chicks in the winter, when can they go out side??

[rosemarythyme]

hey guys i was wondering when i should start feeding scratch the chickens are now 3 or 4 months old.

They're plenty old enough for it. Just don't overfeed it, as it's a treat and not a balanced meal. I'm very conservative and give them maybe 2 Tbsp for 7 birds, just as a reward for returning to the run.

 

[ElaynasChick]

They're plenty old enough for it. Just don't overfeed it, as it's a treat and not a balanced meal. I'm very conservative and give them maybe 2 Tbsp for 7 birds, just as a reward for returning to the run.

okay great, only 2tbsp for 7 birds? i have 7 birds and i was thinking like half a cup.

 

[rosemarythyme]

okay great, only 2tbsp for 7 birds? i have 7 birds and i was thinking like half a cup.

As I use scratch/mealworms/etc as a reward it doesn't need to be much. If you're using it to keep them busy in the morning instead, you can use a little more and spread it out further so they have to work for it.

Treats ideally should be kept to 10% or less of their daily intake. My flock of 7 hens eats around 4 cups of food a day, so 1/2 cup would be 12.5%. Yours are younger and are still growing so you want to optimize nutritionally balanced feed with any extras.

 

[aart]

Yours are younger and are still growing so you want to optimize nutritionally balanced feed with any extras.

Ditto Dat!!^^^

@ElaynasChick what all and exactly are you feeding them now?

 

[ElaynasChick]

Great thanks guys, i have another question, the chickens have a nice big dust box made out of a cement mixing bin i sunk it into the ground, they have been loving to walk in it but they have not used it for a dust box yet. how do i get them to use it as a dust box? i put play sand, a little bit of pot soil, and a little bit of DE. I also have a camera in there run so i can see if they use it or not and they just stand in it.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

hey guys i was wondering when i should start feeding scratch the chickens are now 3 or 4 months old.

Bottom line is they don't need scratch. A little does encourage their natural scratching behavior but they will also need insoluble grit.

 

[rosemarythyme]

how do i get them to use it as a dust box? i put play sand, a little bit of pot soil, and a little bit of DE. I also have a camera in there run so i can see if they use it or not and they just stand in it.

You can't make them use it, you just hope it's attractive enough to them that they'll choose to use it.

I put my dust bath in the spot they were previously using, so they already had an instinct to go to that location.

I'd change the mix in the bath though. Potting soil has fertilizers, perlite and other add ins that I wouldn't want chickens playing in. If you must buy soil/soil-like mix-ins, get either plain peat moss or the absolute cheapest top soil, which is just plain bagged dirt with nothing extra added.

 

[aart]

Great thanks guys, i have another question, the chickens have a nice big dust box made out of a cement mixing bin i sunk it into the ground, they have been loving to walk in it but they have not used it for a dust box yet. how do i get them to use it as a dust box? i put play sand, a little bit of pot soil, and a little bit of DE. I also have a camera in there run so i can see if they use it or not and they just stand in it.

Are they dust bathing on the ground in the run?
Mine have always preferred to make their own dust bath....so I let 'em.
They have a place that stays dry all year so no need to provide one in the winter.

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Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
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[aart]

Bottom line is they don't need scratch. A little does encourage their natural scratching behavior but they will also need insoluble grit.

Ditto Dat!


http://www.jupefeeds-sa.com/documents/GraniteGrit.pdf.

I bought about a 2 gallon bag of granite grit from the local mill, they put it in their chicken scratch. Ran it thru a colander with 1/16" holes. Bagged the smaller stuff for the chicks and sprinkle some over a chunk of sod in the brooder during the second week.

 

[ElaynasChick]

You can't make them use it, you just hope it's attractive enough to them that they'll choose to use it.

I put my dust bath in the spot they were previously using, so they already had an instinct to go to that location.

I'd change the mix in the bath though. Potting soil has fertilizers, perlite and other add ins that I wouldn't want chickens playing in. If you must buy soil/soil-like mix-ins, get either plain peat moss or the absolute cheapest top soil, which is just plain bagged dirt with nothing extra added.

the soil has no perlite or fertilizer or anything like that, i use it for my tortoises so i know it is just dirt.