feed question??

[criddle76]

my chicks are 15weeks old ive been feeding them grower/finisher stuff is this what they should stil be eating or is it time for pellets or what?

 

[Fred's Hens]

The shape of the feed is irrelevant, of course. It is all a mash, then 1) left alone, 2) make into pellets or 3) made into crumbles.

Feeding Layer pellets isn't needed. They'll get everything they need from the Grower. Once you actually see little starter eggs? Yup, it is time, if you wish. Just remember that layer feed isn't magic in any way. It is essential the same as raiser or grower or whatever. It merely provides a high dose of ground calcium blended into the feed itself, for the flock keeper's convenience. That's all.

Feeding shells on the side, accomplishes the exact same thing. Providing layers, who spit out lots of eggs, the required calcium they and they alone need.

 

[criddle76]

awesome.. well while im at 1 more thing i have 1 rooster (Fred) is he ok eating the same thing as the girls or does he need something special?

 

[Fred's Hens]

Some folks just allow the rooster to eat whatever is fed his hens. End of story.

Others, especially top line breeders, consider their cock birds far too valuable to feed them calcium laced feed. Thus, they normally don't feed a layer feed, but prefer to offer the hens calcium on the side, which the roosters don't normally have anything to do with. Their bodies aren't craving it.

 

[criddle76]

well he is definatley our "big boy" as long as hes ok eating what we feed the girls im ok with that they free range for a few hours every day and get some fruit & veggies daily i just want to be sure he's getting all the nutrients he needs also.