feed

[jeffnteresa]

I am new to raising chickens and want to ensure they will get what they need.
I have 4 Jersey Giants--2 hens and 2 roosters; I figure they are almost 5 months old now- born around the beginning of May. The roosters stand around 20-22 inches high now, and the hens around 16 inches and all look like they are growing nicely. I have caught the roosters "practicing" their call already- quite funny.
They are housed inside a barn in a coop about 5' X 5' square and about 20-25 feet long with ramps, perches and heat available for the winter, with a hole outside (locked at night) into a fenced pen about 20' X 15' for them to play in and have their dustbaths.
They get a free run twice a day for a couple hours out of the pen that they love (free roam of about an acre with the other animals).

Now, one question is; the hens are not laying yet but I was thinking if they are close, should I feed them their laying feed yet? The roosters will also be eating this laying feed and I am not sure if they should be. They are all very friendly toward each other and I would not like to break them up for feeding reasons. Right now they have a general feed all day with scratch in their fenced area and what they consume while free.

Secondly, I'm pretty sure my setup is sufficient, but if there are any concerns or comments, please feel free to reply.

Thank you !!

 

[grandmaof5]

They can all eat the same thing. Your coop looks nice; is it inside a garage or barn?

 

[jeffnteresa]

Hey thanks fro the response- it is inside the barn- we also have 2 goats.

 

[crazeetxn]

I bought mine a bag of Layena from TSC. They eat that stuff up. And it's ok for the rooster to eat too. I just put it in the feeder and let them eat it when they want. Picked up a bag of oyster shells for calcium. Mixed most in with the feed, but throw some out with the scratch. They've been on it for a few days and I haven't seen any problems.

Sounds like your setup is good. I learned they need about 12" or so to roost, but since you have some bigger ones, could give them 18" or so so they can flap to get up and move around. Got a nesting box yet?