Food

[Chickenmom19]

I have 13 baby chicks. I have had them for 2 weeks this Thursday will be 3 how much longer do I need to feed them chick starter. My sillies and my jersey giants are already in the "awkward chicken" phase. Can I mix chick starter with later pellets for the bigger ones

 

[BYCforlife]

Layer feed has calcium in it for adult hens, and cannot be eaten by chicks as it can cause health problems.

Laying hens can eat chick starter, but you will have to supplement oyster shells. Make sure only the adult chickens can reach them. The problem with hens eating chick starter is that it's much easier to fling everywhere compared to pellets.

Another option would be to feed your layers their regular feed, in a place that is too high for the chicks, and then build a box that ONLY the chicks can get into, and put the starter in there.

 

[ChickNanny13]

You can feed them Flock Raiser, All Flock, Starter/Grower ... They can all eat it at all stages of life, just add an separate dish of Oyster Shells when the pullets start laying. As mention above, Layer Pellets/Crumbles/feed has "extra" calcium in it which may/can cause liver/kidney problems in chicks and Roosters.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

As mention above, Layer Pellets/Crumbles/feed has "extra" calcium in it which may/can cause liver/kidney problems in chicks and Roosters.

The extra calcium and DECREASED protein... can also stunt growth and delay development including onset of lay. Feathers are made from 90% protein and it's amino acids. Young birds will go through several mini molts on their way to adulthood. Switch to layer now and watch your Silkies suffer from wry neck or worse... pretty much guaranteed. The foundation to any healthy flock after genetics is nutrition.

I never ever switch to layer... and dual purpose breeds like JG will do best with not less than 18% protein... Such as Purina flock raiser.

Chicks getting to the side dish of oyster shell is NO big deal... they may sample it but it won't be in every bite of feed they take and can't avoid the excess calcium as it would if it were "layer".

Please note that ALL feeds are basically the same regardless of what the company calls it. A bunch of confusing marketing terms, BUT appropriate age range is always listed on the bag. The MAIN difference is always protein and calcium levels, which are the most important factors. After that they have slight differences in amino acids and vitamin/mineral profiles... but all are formulated to meet a minimum guideline according to law... for the species and age range listed on the bags.

If you do decide to switch to "layer" feed, usually not before 16 weeks old for early maturing birds. Expect later than that for JG and Silkies. I start putting oyster shell out when I see the first egg. Which is actually always for my current flock that includes broody's, layers, roosters, chicks, juveniles, and so on.

Hope this helps.

Lucky #13... must see pics!

 

[BYCforlife]

Chicks getting to the side dish of oyster shell is NO big deal... they may sample it but it won't be in every bite of feed they take and can't avoid the excess calcium as it would if it were "layer".

I completely agree, but just looking at my oyster shells I was thinking the chicks might try to eat one and choke on it.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I completely agree, but just looking at my oyster shells I was thinking the chicks might try to eat one and choke on it.

Nah, they *mostly*drop things that are too large to swallow. That's why I now crush my feed a little extra the first week since I started keeping bantams. It increased my survival rate in shipped chicks.

 

[BYCforlife]

Nah, they *mostly*drop things that are too large to swallow. That's why I now crush my feed a little extra the first week since I started keeping bantams. It increased my survival rate in shipped chicks.

Great to know, thanks! I'm getting bantams this year, I'll make sure to do that.

 

[ChickNanny13]

I use a coffee bean grinder on crumbles for bantams.
2x Eggcessive

 

[gander007]

Personally I use Turkey grow for the first six weeks and a couple times a week I give my chicks a hard boiled or scrambled egg it is all about having healthy chickens

 

[MayaB]

I love this thread! Here’s my conundrum: I free range 20 hens and a roo and I have about 40 chicks (4 to 5 weeks old). I hatch my own and my goal is mainly dual purpose birds. I opted for brooding outside with a heat pad and my chicks are thriving. They were separated from adults by a wire until they were 3 weeks old and older ladies got used to them and now they are all together but each group sleeps in their own coop and eats their own food.

My issue is: it’s getting harder and harder to keep them out of each other’s age appropriate food. And I free feed and would prefer to keep doing so.

If I understood correctly I *could* switch all my layers (dual purpose mainly) to a flock raiser and offer oyster shells separately. Keep chicks on age appropriate feed but *if* they get into the flock raiser it won’t hurt them. They still eat their food 95% of the time but a few bolder ones keep stealing bites out of big girls feeder.

My layers/dual purpose (they are essentially a bunch of barnyard mixes that lay eggs) will thrive on Mixed Flock Raiser (plus oyster shell)?

Essentially, I want to find an option for the next two months, if they do get into each other’s food no one will be hurt by it.

My goal is to provide the healthiest possible environment for all my animals. Thanks everyone