Feeding Chicks and Broody

[EverV]

Hello! This is purely a theoretical question, as I am in no position to hatch eggs under a broody or in an incubator (I don't even have a broody, and Golden Buffs aren't prone to it), but I was wondering what you people feed chicks that are being raised by a broody. I would assume an all-flock feed, but I'd read somewhere that you should only give that to chicks over 6 or 8 weeks (I think it was 8), which defeats the purpose for me. It's not possible to feed the chicks and mother hen different things I'd assume. Can the broody eat chick food or something?

 

[Anne02]

Hello! This is purely a theoretical question, as I am in no position to hatch eggs under a broody or in an incubator (I don't even have a broody, and Golden Buffs aren't prone to it), but I was wondering what you people feed chicks that are being raised by a broody. I would assume an all-flock feed, but I'd read somewhere that you should only give that to chicks over 6 or 8 weeks (I think it was 8), which defeats the purpose for me. It's not possible to feed the chicks and mother hen different things I'd assume. Can the broody eat chick food or something?

It is actually okay for a broody to eat chick feed. She's not laying, so doesn't need layer feed. With my broody over the summer, I gave her chick feed for the whole time.

 

[Mvan42]

When my broody hatches. I don't change anything. They have scratch feed which does have layers pellets mixed in. Mama know what her babies can eat.

 

[EverV]

Thanks everyone!

 

[Nigel27]

My broody and chicks are eating a mix of game and layer pellets, same as the flock. But I soak theirs first because it’s too big.

 

[DobieLover]

My broody and chicks are eating a mix of game and layer pellets, same as the flock. But I soak theirs first because it’s too big.

Mom will break it up for them.

I keep my flock on Flock Raiser for life. I keep 2 containers of oyster shell on the side at all times for the active layers so I never have to change anything.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I would assume an all-flock feed, but I'd read somewhere that you should only give that to chicks over 6 or 8 weeks (I think it was 8),

Do you recall here you read that? Did they say why? It's often interesting to read those comments in context.

Can the broody eat chick food

Absolutely, it is good for her. The only basic differences in Layer and the different feeds is that Layer has excess calcium (it has been proven that it can be harmful to growing chicks) and they can have different protein levels. If you look at the "analysis" on the label you'll see all the other things listed have essentially the same amounts. There will be some small differences but nothing really significant. People typically feed chicks Starter, All-Flock, or Flock-Raiser for the first month or two of the chick's life. Those are typically fairly high in protein content which gets the chicks off to a good start and will help the hen recover from when she was sitting on the nest incubating her eggs. Some people feed those until the pullets start to lay or feed them forever with oyster shell offered on the side.

Since I usually have growing chicks with my flock I never feed Layer. When I have young chicks they all eat a Starter. When they get older they all get Grower. I always have oyster shell on the side. The ones that need the calcium for their egg shells seem to know it and eat what they need. The ones that don't need it may take a bite or two but don't eat enough to harm themselves. That's not just the chicks, it's also the hens that are not laying and my rooster. That way I don't have to worry about who is eating what. I let them do the work.

 

[EverV]

I can not remember

I would assume an all-flock feed, but I'd read somewhere that you should only give that to chicks over 6 or 8 weeks (I think it was 8),

Do you recall here you read that? Did they say why? It's often interesting to read those comments in context.

Unfortunatly, I don't remember where I read that.

 

[EverV]

I can not remember

Unfortunatly, I don't remember where I read that.

Oops I don't know why it did that

 

[EverV]

While on the topic of chicks, I was wondering what you do with cockerels (do I even want to know?).