Complete Newbie Raising Layers

[MLGarber]

Hello Asking some elementary questions, I fear, but I want to be sure what is best.

My chicks are currently on chick starter, and are getting ready to make the transition to the coop. After they finish with the chick feed (the bag says 10 wks) what do I feed them and how. The end goal is a healthy # of eggs per hen without asking too much of my girls.

How do you feed corn and grains (add it to the feeder or toss around the run) and how much, how often?

What about grit? Treats/Goodies/Scraps?

They have a hen house in their enclosed run... do you put food and water in the house as well for nighttime? or just in the run? I am not sure whether I should keep the door open or closed at night, but since we enclosed an old dog pen, even on top, I'm thinking "open" should be pretty safe.

 

[mariacar]

I have been trying to find out the answer to that same question....does the food and water need to be moved into the coop every night? I am just starting out raising hens as well.

 

[MLGarber]

I have been trying to find out the answer to that same question....does the food and water need to be moved into the coop every night? I am just starting out raising hens as well.

Welcome! We will learn together!

 

[4 the Birds]

Howdy!
After the Chick Feed you can feed them standard Layer Feed. We use a hanging feeders in the coop to keep the feed out of the elements. A waterer can be in the coop and also out in the run. Our run has a standard steel dog bowl set on six bricks and the chickens drink out of it fine. They even go over to the goat house and drink out of horse buckets full of water. I splash fresh water in the bowl daily as I am out watereing the goats each day. If you are in a cold climate, a heated waterer will need to be set-up in the coop. Break up some bread loaf ends and toss them in the run and the chicks/chickens will dash to eat. You can put a handful of grain in the run as you wish. I like to put treats on a pallet with a board top that is in the run. Our chickens always have access to the run day and night but many choose to close them up each evening. Our set-up is such that they can leave the run and free-range within a 1/2 acre goat pen as they wish. They know instictively to return to the coop at dusk. I hope this helps!

 

[Chris09]

I posted this some time back and I thought it might help you.;


Starter --
A balanced feed meant as the sole ration for chicks from hatching to twelve weeks of age.
At 12 weeks of age the birds can be changed to Grower or Developer. Starter can be Medicated or Non-Medicated when Medicated it is with either Amprolium or Lasalocid. Starter is available in Mash, Crumble or Pellet form

Stater/ Grower --
A balanced feed meant as the sole ration for chicks from hatching to chickens begin to lay, this feed can be Medicated or Non-Medicated. If medicated it will be with either Amprolium or Lasalocid. Starter/ Grower is available mostly in Crumble or Pellet form.

Grower --
Feed as the sole ration to chicks 12 weeks of age as a finisher. Grower feed is meant to feed until the chickens begin to lay, then bird can be switched to a complete Laying. Most Grower feed is Non-Medicated but some are Medicated with Bacitracin. Grower is mostly available in available in Crumble or Pellet form.

Finisher --
See above for Grower

Layer --
Feed as the sole diet to laying hens maximum production of eggs. Do not feed Layer feed to poultry which are not laying because of the high calcium levels in the diet. This is particularly true of young growing birds. Layer is available in Mash, Crumble or Pellet form.

Layer/ Breeder --
Feed as the sole diet to laying hens and breeders for maximum production and for improved hatchability. Do not feed Layer feed to poultry, which are not in production because of the high calcium levels in the diet. This is particularly true of young growing birds. Layer/ Breeder is available in Pellet form.

Scratch Grain/ Corn (Maze) --
Is mostly used as a treat and should for the most part be feed separate from there sole feed (example - there Layer feed). Scratch should not exceed 40% of there diet when feeding a high protein feed. (Sole feed 20% protein or better) You may start feeding Scratch Grain at around 12 weeks of age.

Oyster Shells --
A Calcium supplement used to increase Calcium intake of laying fowl. Oyster Shells should not be offered to Non-Laying Fowl (Chicks, Growers, Non-Laying Hens and Roosters).

Grit -
A material fed to birds consisting mainly of crushed stone (though often with additives) which helps the bird's digestion grind their food

* Notes*

Amprolium - which goes by the trade names Corid and Amprovine, Amprolium, Amprol, Anticoccid and is a thiamine analog, competitively inhibits the active transport of thiamine (B1). Amprolium is used in the prevention and treatment of coccidiosis.

Lasalocid - goes by the trade name Bovatec. Bovatec (lasalocid) is a coccidiocide that kills coccidia. It is an ionophore that moves potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium into the cell causing the cell to burst. Bovatec works primarily on a single developmental stage of coccidia, providing a more narrow range of action than Deccox.

Bacitracin - Bacitracin can also go by the names Bacitracin Methylene Disalicylate and BMD. Bacitracin in Broiler And Replacement Chickens is an aid in prevention and control of necrotic enteritis caused by Clostridium perfringens susceptible to bacitracin methylene disalicylate.​

Chris

 

[Joe.G]

Where does Flock Raiser fall in at on that chart?