Getting chicks in a month- I need help understanding some things!

[Averyy]

I’m getting four chicks in just under 30 days, this will be my first time owning and first time raising chickens. I’m getting two silkies and two barnevelders.

I was wondering if they need different kinds of food at different stages of development, or if you just switch from chick feed to adult feed? How do you transition them to another kind of food?

also, I know they can eat lots of different kinds of fruit, should I give them some or wait until they’re grown?


this question might be out there, but Im a complete beginner lol. are bantams much different in food requirements? what should I do if some chickens are eating more food than others? Not sure if that’s something I need to worry about, because I’ve never cared for a group of animals before.


and lastly, any advice relating to anything would be very much appreciated.

 

[Weeg]

I was wondering if they need different kinds of food at different stages of development, or if you just switch from chick feed to adult feed? How do you transition them to another kind of food?

Great question! I start my chicks on starter, and keep them on starter. I personally think that the amount of calcium in layer feed is to high for laying hens. This is because hens who are not laying currently, molting, brooding, or roosters don't need the extra calcium. This can affect their kidneys in the long run. You can keep them on starter, or switch to All flock, these feeds are very similar. You can also switch to layer once they start laying if you like.

also, I know they can eat lots of different kinds of fruit, should I give them some or wait until they’re grown?

I usually wait a few weeks before offering treats. Natural treats such as plants, fruit, and veggies are great choices. Make sure they have access to grit when giving treats, and that treats are only 10% of the diet. Veggies can probably be fed in slightly higher quantities because they do have benefits, but keep it around the 10% rule. Thats about 1 tbsp per adult bird per day.

this question might be out there, but Im a complete beginner lol. are bantams much different in food requirements? what should I do if some chickens are eating more food than others? Not sure if that’s something I need to worry about, because I’ve never cared for a group of animals before.

Bantams have the same food requirements as standard chickens. No need to worry about that. Different breeds, and different sizes will vary in feed consumtion. As long as you have a full feeder you shouldn't worry to much. Since some birds may bully other birds away from the feeder, a full feeder will allow them to come back and eat after they leave.
Welcome to BYC, and congrats on your new chickens! I hope you're able to get help and answers for all your questions here.

 

[Iluveggers]

@Weeg answered your questions perfectly! I am so excited for you! Chickens are amazing. Are your Barnevelders bantams also?

 

[Dottie the Chicken]

Additional tips would be-

Put electrolytes and probiotics in the chicks water for the first couple of days after you bring them home to help get them off to a good start (I like the Sav-A-Chick brand)

When you bring the chicks home, dip each one's beak into the water to teach them where the water is. Also, keep an eye on them to make sure they are all eating and drinking.

Make sure your brooder has both a warm area and a cool area. That way if they're cold they can go under the heat, and if they get too hot, they can get out from under the heat.

Also, keep an eye out for pasty butt (poop getting stuck on the fluff around their vents). If this develops, you can very gently clean it off with some warm (not hot!) water.

I'd of course start them out on chick starter. You can try to find some chick sized (very small) grit to sprinkle on top of the food to aid digestion. When they get older and start laying eggs, you can switch them to a layer feed, or keep them on chick starter and offer oyster shell free choice on the side for extra calcium. I know there's an "All Flock" feed as well, but I have no experience with it.

I hope all goes well with your chicks, and don't be surprised if you soon find yourself wanting more! Chicken math is real!

 

[Flockincrazy]

I’m getting four chicks in just under 30 days, this will be my first time owning and first time raising chickens. I’m getting two silkies and two barnevelders.

I was wondering if they need different kinds of food at different stages of development, or if you just switch from chick feed to adult feed? How do you transition them to another kind of food?

also, I know they can eat lots of different kinds of fruit, should I give them some or wait until they’re grown?


this question might be out there, but Im a complete beginner lol. are bantams much different in food requirements? what should I do if some chickens are eating more food than others? Not sure if that’s something I need to worry about, because I’ve never cared for a group of animals before.


and lastly, any advice relating to anything would be very much appreciated.

I start mine on chick starter then move to an all flock at 6mths with oyster shells on the side when they start to lay. I give fruit at 1mth but not a lot cause you can give them the gloopy poopys. My bantams eat as much as my big chickens so I really don't know but they will eat when they're hungry. Lastly enjoy them they are great stress relief

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC and the wonderful world of chickens.

Where, in general, are you? Climate matters.

I think your food questions have been answered very well so I'm going to give you some information you might not know you needed.

First, your general guide to raising chicks: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-to-raise-chickens.47660/

Second, some guidelines to help you with the coop:

For each adult, standard-sized hen you need:

• 4 square feet in the coop (.37 square meters)
• 10 square feet in the run (.93 square meters),
• 1 linear foot of roost (.3 meters),
• 1/4 of a nest box,
• And 1 square foot (.09 square meters) of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation, preferably located over the birds' heads when they're sitting on the roost.

And an article on why those are *guidelines*, not hard and fast rules: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-much-room-do-chickens-need.66180/

To help you visualize this when getting a coop, my doormat is 4 square feet -- space for one chicken:

And 10 square feet is exactly the size of one of those fiberglass tub-shower drop-ins you find in many houses' second bath.

So each chickens needs the space of a doormat in the coop and a tub/shower in the run.

 

[Devorah]

I’m getting four chicks in just under 30 days, this will be my first time owning and first time raising chickens. I’m getting two silkies and two barnevelders.

I was wondering if they need different kinds of food at different stages of development, or if you just switch from chick feed to adult feed? How do you transition them to another kind of food?

also, I know they can eat lots of different kinds of fruit, should I give them some or wait until they’re grown?


this question might be out there, but Im a complete beginner lol. are bantams much different in food requirements? what should I do if some chickens are eating more food than others? Not sure if that’s something I need to worry about, because I’ve never cared for a group of animals before.


and lastly, any advice relating to anything would be very much appreciated.

Welcome from one newbie to another! This is an exciting journey!

 

[Lemon-Drop]

I know this thread is a bit on the older side, but here are my answers:

I was wondering if they need different kinds of food at different stages of development, or if you just switch from chick feed to adult feed? How do you transition them to another kind of food?

I get a bag of chick feed, and once they've finished that, I get all flock crumbles. Once they're old enough, I switch to all flock pellets and give them calcium on the side.
As for transitions, I just completely switch it. I know I shouldn't probably do that, but nothing bad has happened yet.

This is the feed I give to my flock of young, old, and a rooster.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/purina-flock-raiser-pellets-50-lb-3003340-206?cm_vc=-10005

also, I know they can eat lots of different kinds of fruit, should I give them some or wait until they’re grown?

A little won't hurt, but I generally wait until they're older (and I usually don't give them too many treats anyways-they get plenty from foraging) (If you give apples, make sure it doesn't have the seeds!

this question might be out there, but Im a complete beginner lol. are bantams much different in food requirements?

I have both bantams and standard, they eat the same thing. They may eat different quantities, but I feed free choice.

what should I do if some chickens are eating more food than others?

I don't worry too much about it. Some of them might eat first because they're head of the pecking order, or some might eat more or less because they're smaller or larger.

I find it's nothing to worry about, unless a chicken stops eating completely, drinking, or is lethargic.

and lastly, any advice relating to anything would be very much appreciated.

Have fun! Also, coop size is VERY important! @3KillerBs has given you some good info.

I'd love to see pictures of the fluffballs when they come!

 

[Averyy]

@Weeg answered your questions perfectly! I am so excited for you! Chickens are amazing. Are your Barnevelders bantams also?

The Barnevelders are not bantams

 

[Averyy]

Welcome to BYC and the wonderful world of chickens.

Where, in general, are you? Climate matters.

I think your food questions have been answered very well so I'm going to give you some information you might not know you needed.

First, your general guide to raising chicks: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-to-raise-chickens.47660/

Second, some guidelines to help you with the coop:

For each adult, standard-sized hen you need:

• 4 square feet in the coop (.37 square meters)
• 10 square feet in the run (.93 square meters),
• 1 linear foot of roost (.3 meters),
• 1/4 of a nest box,
• And 1 square foot (.09 square meters) of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation, preferably located over the birds' heads when they're sitting on the roost.

And an article on why those are *guidelines*, not hard and fast rules: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-much-room-do-chickens-need.66180/

To help you visualize this when getting a coop, my doormat is 4 square feet -- space for one chicken: View attachment 3014399

And 10 square feet is exactly the size of one of those fiberglass tub-shower drop-ins you find in many houses' second bath.

So each chickens needs the space of a doormat in the coop and a tub/shower in the run.

thanks! I ended up with a 30 square foot coop/run. I was aiming for 40 but those were too expensive