Feeds

[thecatumbrella]

I like nutrena, personally. Smells great.

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one that thinks this! I forget if they put a little oregano in it or something.

Another Nutrena fan here. I like that it comes in crumble (medicated or unmedicated) and pellet so I can mix up what's in each feeder. I can get it locally and online from Chewy. The crumble has pieces that are small enough for bantam chicks. And I think it's one of the few major feeds that has selenium and a little more vitamin E (which my vet recommended for our chick with neurological problems).

 

[Clukcluks]

Too much scratch will cause your birds to be overweight and can cause other nutritional issues. It's not needed at all (I don't buy scratch at all) but if you do feed it it and whatever other extras they get should make up less than 10% of their overall diet

I also like pellets due to them being less messy but do know the only difference between pellets and crumbles is the texture, nutritionally they're the same. If you're starting with chicks I'd keep them on crumbles for at least a few weeks. You can use either chick starter or all flock crumbles (with 20% protein). Once they get bigger you can transition to all flock pellets if you so choose. You can use layer pellets once everyone is laying but all flock usually has higher protein which is better for the birds and helps prevents some behavior problems like feather picking and egg eating hence why many of us recommend all flock all the time with crushed oyster shell on the side for calcium

How old is a chicken when they reach as you put it "get bigger " How many weeks is that Is a 1yr old hen considered fully grown up Thanks for your input. I need it.

 

[nuthatched]

How old is a chicken when they reach as you put it "get bigger " How many weeks is that Is a 1yr old hen considered fully grown up Thanks for your input. I need it.

1 year is full grown, yes. Technically, they're likely full grown at 10 months.
Get bigger is likely 6 weeks +.

 

[Clukcluks]

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one that thinks this! I forget if they put a little oregano in it or something.

Another Nutrena fan here. I like that it comes in crumble (medicated or unmedicated) and pellet so I can mix up what's in each feeder. I can get it locally and online from Chewy. The crumble has pieces that are small enough for bantam chicks. And I think it's one of the few major feeds that has selenium and a little more vitamin E (which my vet recommended for our chick with neurological problems).

Where do you buy the Nutrena,and crumbles feed from You have chickens with neurological problems. What’s that like

 

[thecatumbrella]

Where do you buy the Nutrena,and crumbles feed from You have chickens with neurological problems. What’s that like

My local Tractor Supply carries the Nutrena (both chick crumble and all flock pellets).

The vet guessed the neurological problems happened from a rough hatch, but we fixed her up with vitamin B + E supplements (thanks to the folks at BYC! ) It's pretty amazing to know that internet strangers saved my chick's life.

 

[Mrs. K]

I am a bit more laid back. Keep your stored feed dry. I use a garbage can with a tight lid. If you have predators - you can lock them shut. Coons can make a mess. Do not feed moldy feed.

Be ware of feeding too little or too much. I don't do feed 24/7 because it can draw rodents to your set up. When I started I fed too much, and they trod it into the ground and the coop and run began to stink. I feed enough so that at dark, there is a little left in the dish. If the dish is bare, I feed a little more the next day, if it is full, I feed a little less. Interestingly it varies quite a bit.

I feed chick starter to chicks. I generally have less than 8 chicks, and will buy to bags of starter, by the time they get through that - give or take, they are ready for layer feed.

Don't fret it too much.

Mrs K