Cornish Rock chick - raising as pet?

[Lyndssxo08]

Any good grower should work, 14-16%, I buy from the local mills so can't recommend a brand.

Thank you!!

 

[Lyndssxo08]

We fed a limited amount of grower feed with fresh vegetables and fruits until 4 months when we switched to a 15% layer at 1/4 cup with the fresh veggies and fruit until 6 months.
Since then it's been 1/4-1/2 cup 18% layer at night after free ranging for the day.
She's healthy, happy, active, laying (and even flys) daily and doesn't know she's any different from the other chickens.
In fact she is Queen of the coop.

Okay so what type of fruits and veggies should I feed? And 1/4 cup of feed daily - is that just for one chick?

 

[Iguanahunter]

Okay so what type of fruits and veggies should I feed? And 1/4 cup of feed daily - is that just for one chick?

Leafy greens like kale, lettuce, spinach shouldbe the basis. Fruits like apples, papaya, etc. It really depends on what is local to you and what is cheapest. Dandelion flowers and leaves are great if you know they are pesticide free.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Leafy greens like kale, lettuce, spinach shouldbe the basis. Fruits like apples, papaya, etc. It really depends on what is local to you and what is cheapest. Dandelion flowers and leaves are great if you know they are pesticide free.

For adults that would be great, but wouldn't week old chicks need mostly chick starter? How many weeks of chick starter before you begin to ration feed?
If she does not get the proper nutrition she needs in the first several weeks of her life, then she will not grow correctly and can be deficient - right?

 

[Iguanahunter]

Correct, to a certain degree. If you leave out the food 24/7 it is going to over-eat. You need to control the food, either by feeding a measured ammount or leaving the feeder for 10-20 minutes a day. After about 4 weeks you can start supplementing greens and reducing the rations.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Correct, to a certain degree. If you leave out the food 24/7 it is going to over-eat. You need to control the food, either by feeding a measured ammount or leaving the feeder for 10-20 minutes a day. After about 4 weeks you can start supplementing greens and reducing the rations.

Great! That's a bit more specific
Thank you for the clarification.

 

[Iguanahunter]

Great! That's a bit more specific
Thank you for the clarification.

No problem! Remember to keep track of the weight, make sure it isn't growing too fast. If you want exact measurement, sbout 1/8-1/6 cup per day should be right.

 

[HeiHeisMom]

Okay so what type of fruits and veggies should I feed? And 1/4 cup of feed daily - is that just for one chick?

Yes. 1/4 cup per chick to start.
Increase to 1/2 cup by 3 months and 3/4 when laying.
Raw fruits and veggies..
I tend to stay away from onion, tomato and broccoli (smelly), go easy on corn, potatoes and carrots.
Celery, peas, green beans are their favorites.
Watermelon, diced grapes, pears, peaches, apple, limit banana and avocado...some Chooks don't like to them any way.
In heat of summer I blend up a can of mixed fruit cocktail (drain syrup), freeze it and serve in water or as a popsicle type treat ( ice cube trays work great!) for pecking.

 

[HeiHeisMom]

For adults that would be great, but wouldn't week old chicks need mostly chick starter? How many weeks of chick starter before you begin to ration feed?
If she does not get the proper nutrition she needs in the first several weeks of her life, then she will not grow correctly and can be deficient - right?

Six weeks on chick starter minimum...but don't give them 24 hour access!

 

[HeiHeisMom]

If you make a crumble block, or get a chick peck block they'll tend to only eat on it when truly hungry and range more.
Crumbles or pellets in feeders tend to entice over eating, or they'll just park themselves within easy reach and live at the feeder