Feeding

[Kelly Owl]

Good morning all my BYC friends. I hope everyone is staying hydrated and cool. I would like to know just how much chick starter food I should be feeding mama and her babies (around 10 days old). Everytime I go to the nursery (lol and thats very often theyre so irresistable)she and babies all run to the gate so i usually toss a couple cups of chick starter feed to them. I also treat them with some mashed scrambled eggs and oatmeal once a day. Is this to much..not enough..should I give them something else. Ive given mealworms as a treat once and they loved it. Thanks for any advice

 

[Elizabethwood09]

They should have chick starter available at all times. Also the babies should not be having any treats until they are much older.

 

[Kelly Owl]

They should have chick starter available at all times. Also the babies should not be having any treats until they are much older.

Elizabethwood09..Thank you I had no idea about free feeding the starter feed and will rectify that right away. Should I not give mama any treats til the babies can enjoy as well ? As I see her calling them and showing them the eggs and oatmeal.

 

[Homesteadermomma6382]

Definitly always have feed for the babies. At 10 days the eggs should be fine. The oatmeal probably not so much.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I have Chick Start and Grow feed and water available 24/7.

My girls at 16 days old.
I don't give them anything else till 10 weeks old, then they get their first treats, Scratch Grains scattered in their pen.

An 1/8 cup twice daily for 5 pullets.
Don't forget the Grit to digest any treats.

Remember Chick feed is 100% complete nutrition. Nothing else is needed.

3 of 5 girls at 13 weeks. GC

 

[Ryguy3684]

Definitely have food and water out 24/7, as they eat small amounts throughout the day. Tractor Supply, or online, has a great chick treat. It's called Ultrakibble. It's a high protein treat that will help them grow. Make sure to have chick grit available with anything besides chick starter. You can put it in a bowl, or sprinkle it on the ground for them. At 4 weeks, mine loved watermelon. You can also freeze it for a cold treat on those hot days.

 

[Kelly Owl]

Definitly always have feed for the babies. At 10 days the eggs should be fine. The oatmeal probably not so much.

Homesteadermomma6382. Just this morning I was made aware of making sure chick starter was always available. Ive taken care of that. There has always been lots of fresh water (4 shallow pans and 1 actual chick waterer) and i change the water in the bowls twice daily the waterer once. Ive moved mama and babies to a new nursery with more outdoor space for them to scratch around in and a new to them home complete with lots of sawdust and straw and some cds to keep them interrested. I will stop the oatmeal and contiue with the mashed scrambled eggs (microwaved...made with no milk or oils) Thank you for your advice. Heres the new abode.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I make a wet mash for my hens with their regular feed.

I've never given a wet mash to chicks through.
But you could try it with the Chick Starter feed instead of oatmeal. GC

 

[Kelly Owl]

Definitely have food and water out 24/7, as they eat small amounts throughout the day. Tractor Supply, or online, has a great chick treat. It's called Ultrakibble. It's a high protein treat that will help them grow. Make sure to have chick grit available with anything besides chick starter. You can put it in a bowl, or sprinkle it on the ground for them. At 4 weeks, mine loved watermelon. You can also freeze it for a cold treat on those hot days.

Ryguy3584 Thank you they now have starter in a shallow pan for whenever they wish. I always have lots of fresh water for them and change it daily. They now have a new nursery which includes outdoor space with dirt and twigs and pebbles and normal outdoor debris. Will they still require grit if they can scratch in the dirt? Ive posted some pictures of the new home. Please have a look..comment if you wish I appreciate any and all advice.

 

[Kelly Owl]

I make a wet mash for my hens with their regular feed.View attachment 2268859
I've never given a wet mash to chicks through.
But you could try it with the Chick Starter feed instead of oatmeal. GC

GC-Raptor. Thanks..do you use straight water to make your mash?