Feed Help please!!

[pamperedamber]

I have 3 new 9 week old chicks in my flock. They have been with us for a week now. I can not separate my older hens (18-19 weeks) from the food and water easily. When is it OK to take the new chicks off the medicated feed?

I have one hen that should be laying any day now so I want to get them off the medicated feed as soon as possible. I have a feeder outside the coop that has the non-medicated feed in it for the older hens but they are still eating from both feeders.

Any advice or thoughts would be great thank you.

 

[Folly's place]

You can feed an all-flock feed like Flock Raiser, and have oyster shell on the side for your laying hens. Layer feed is way too high in calcium for chicks! Mary

 

[pamperedamber]

Thank you so much. I will have to get some tomorrow. I have oyster shell out for them already.

 

[blucoondawg]

You don't ever really have to feed medicated feed I used it on my first batch of chicks now I don't bother with it at all just take it out and feed non medicated, either flock raiser or chick starter non medicated will be fine

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You don't ever really have to feed medicated feed I used it on my first batch of chicks now I don't bother with it at all just take it out and feed non medicated, either flock raiser or chick starter non medicated will be fine

x2

 

[pamperedamber]

Thank you for all your help. Once this bag of medicated feed is out then i will feed the flock raiser feed. You all rock!!

 

[iwantegglayers]

Do young hens (10 wks old) need grit or calcium?

 

[blucoondawg]

No calcium until they start laying. They only need grit if feeding whole grains or grasses, chick feed crumble or pellets will mush up on its own since it's finely ground

 

[Cebarmlds]

Do young hens (10 wks old) need grit or calcium?

Grit yes, 10 weeks is too young for calcium.

 

[iwantegglayers]

That was quick! Thank you!