feeding plan

[OHchickens87]

We are getting our first chicks next month. I am looking at feed options. I want to do a medicated feed at first. Any favorite brands or does it matter? How long do they have to be on that? I'm seeing conflicting information. Eventually I plan on switching them to a locally produced chicken feed either once they start laying or even earlier if I can. It is a freshly milled whole grain based feed which can be fermented if we decide to go that route. They offer a starter (23%) and a layer version (18%). When is the soonest I can switched them and do I need to do it gradually to help them adjust?

Also tips on feeders and waters. I am having a small flock of 5 birds, confined to a run in ohio. I feel like all the feeders and waters are set up for larger flocks. But i definetly want to be able to have a heated water system and I like the feeder to be able to not need filling every day potentially.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I've never used medicated feed so I'd just go by the instructions on the back of the bag.

As far as switching feeds, if the chickens like the new feed you can pretty much switch them to it all at once (if they're reluctant, then you can try providing a mix of the two feeds and ease them into the new one). I personally don't switch to layer until at least some of the chickens are laying.

A 7 lb feeder should be fine, it'll last 5 days or so without needing to be refilled. Waterer, this is what I use: https://www.backyardchickens.com/reviews/premier-1-heated-poultry-waterer.11903/ but you could also opt for something as simple as a heated dog bowl.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I want to do a medicated feed at first. Any favorite brands or does it matter? How long do they have to be on that? I'm seeing conflicting information.

I feed a Medicated Start & Grow (Purina) for 10 weeks, (can be fed up to 18 weeks) then when bag is empty I switch to a Non-Medicated Starter-Grower (Nutrena Naturewise) and continue to feed that till they are close to lay, 16 to 20 weeks.
Their combs and wattles swell and turn red, they squat when you put your hand over them. They will be acting fidgety looking for a place to lay, checking the nests or making a nest in a corner of the coop.
I changed feeds at that time by mixing 50/50 with the new feed for a week or two.
I like Purina Premium and Nutrena Naturewise feeds. (At the place I buy feed they only have a 50 lb bag of Medicated in the Purina brand and a 50 lb bag of Non-Medicated in the Nutrena brand).
Put some Ceramic eggs in the nests around 15 weeks.
Offer Oyster Shells in a separate container after 16 weeks.

Also tips on feeders and waters. I am having a small flock of 5 birds, confined to a run in ohio. I feel like all the feeders and waters are set up for larger flocks. But i definetly want to be able to have a heated water system

I use a Galvanized feeder 15lb and a Galvanized waterer 3 gallons. Both last over a week for my 5 hens.
I have a heated base I use in the winter.

GC

 

[Stormer04]

I use a galvanized type feeder as Raptor showed us above. As for water I use nipples. They are little red waters that u can put in pvc or on the bottom of a hanging bucket. They keep your water clean and would be very easy to heat. Here is a link. https://www.amazon.com/Automatic-Chicken-Drinker-Feeders-Poultry/dp/B008AZTHNS

As for the actual feed I just use a regular bag of layer pellets. I also free range ( they are fenced in) I know you can’t do that though. We also give them table scraps which they have loved.

 

[jreardon1918]

We have our only water source and feeder in the covered run. They work well. See our coop build article. There is a cover for the top of the feeder. I was fin the middle of filling when I took this picture. We raise the feeder to make it difficult for them to sweep out the feed. No waste. Completely filled this lasts the 4 hens almost two weeks. You can see the waterer in the back. Horizontal nipples. Works great.