feeding 9 week old chickens question

[kschicks2013]

Hi I was thinking that's how I would integrate them. In fact I started already by allowing one hen out with the chicks and seeing how she would act towards them and then I let another hen out. They went up to a couple of the chicks and stared at them and the chicks did the same and then the hens tried to peck a couple chicks but the chicks didn't run away they stood their ground and then they walked away. Tomorrow I will let a couple more hens out until they are all out together. I'm definitely going to be right there to make sure no serious fighting happens. I'm going to keep them separate at night.

 

[kschicks2013]

If you are only feeding chick starter they don't need grit or scratch. If they are eating other things they will need grit which helps the food break down in their stomach. I give my chicks dg mix which has tiny pebbles in it which acts as grit. Once they are off chick starter they will need a complete layer feed which should have oyster shells in it. That's if your hens are layers.