Feeding a new mom?

TinaM13

Chirping
6 Years
Joined
Nov 13, 2013
Messages
18
Reaction score
1
Points
69
Location
Lumby, British Columbia
Lots of great info once again! I have 10 babies that I bought at 2wks old, they are now 6 wks old and are doing great. I'm feeding them medicated chick start, chick scratch and other little treats. They are now experiencing outside and catching worms and bugs and green grass. I was wondering when I change to more grown up food (grower or layer pellets) and think I got a pretty good idea now.
Now I'm sure this has been asked before but searching has been tedious lol I also have a new mom with 3 babies...the chicks eating fine and growing..they are a week old now. But what does mom want to eat? Do I just give her what the chicks are eating? I have been also feeding her a scrambled egg with some rice/oatmeal mix I cook up for everyone. Should she be eating the chick starter feed? Can I put her usual layer pellets in the pen with her and the babies, trusting the babies don't want it? She's doing fine, but I've been curious about this. She's all alone with the babes in a different room from my other chicks and other older chickens, but I'm sure she'll want to bring them out soon, then that'll be a whole new adventure!
 
With chicks, I use chick starter, just for the first two weeks or until the bag is used up. Then I buy chick grower feed. That's what they get until around 17 weeks of age, then they get layer feed.

I just let mama hen have what the babies eat, and she does fine. When the weather is nice, I let mama run around outside with the babies. The babies will stay right with her. She usually keeps them safe from the other adult hens, and eventually, she stops caring for them and they're on their own, and integrate with the flock just fine.
 
The chicks will try to eat anything mom eats and if you put layer in for her the chicks will eat it. When I have a broody with the flock I will use a grower for all till the youngsters grow up. With oyster shells on the side for the ones laying.
 
Thanks a lot! I feel better now knowing I've been doing the right things! Mostly I'm going by trial and error..so far so good!
thumbsup.gif

Every one is happy and doing good and growing like chicks do
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom