feeeding plan!

[amyunderwood307]

im about to get baby chicks, what should i feed them to begin with? what about grit? when do i switch them to a food for layers? thanks!

 

[bnjrob]

Chick feed. No need to give chick grit unless you give them other things (treats) besides the chick feed.

You can get "medicated" chick feed that has amprolium in it - this is not an antibiotic, it disrupts the body's use of thiamine and that is how it controls coccidia. You can use nonmedicated chick feed and then only use amprolium in the water if you notice signs of coccidiosis.

Don't switch them to layer feed until they are mature and laying - depends on how fast/slow your breed usually matures. Otherwise the higher levels of calcium can harm the growing chicks.

 

[BuffOrpington88]

A treat you can give them when they are little without grit is pieces of grass cut into 1/2 inch pieces.