Getting our chicks this weekend, need advice

[cluckcluck75]

We are getting 6 RIRs and 2 Silkies this weekend. Our coop construction is done, now to fill it will all the goodies the chickies will need. Here is a list, please tell me if I missed anything, have suggestions or specifics to offer. Thanks! So stinking excited!!!!

-Pine shavings and straw

-nipples to make the waterer out of our 5 gallon bucket

-feeder

-Feed- what kind should 8 week olds be eating??? Do they need grit, oyster shells, meal worms, etc? They will have lots of space to forage as well...

All I can think of at the moment, what am I missing?

Thanks!

 

[Judy]

Definitely no oyster shell. Only laying hens should be offered calcium supplement; otherwise, excess cacium can cause damage. See link below.

Since they will have plenty of forage available, they will probably be able tofind all the grit they need on the ground. You can buy a bag of adult grit if it makes ou feel better, though; it is not that expensive.

Usually people would feed a grower feed, although a flock raiser would be OK as well. If you have some chick starter left over, don't waste it, they can also eat that just fine. Things like mealworms are up to you; they can do just fine on nothing but feed, especially when they have forage available.

If they have been indoors all this time, brooder raised, with no exposure to the soil, you might consider picking up some Corid and giving a preventive dose.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/879239/cocci-prevention#post_13364390

http://www.hyline.com/aspx/redbook/redbook.aspx?s=5&p=36

 

[ChickenCanoe]

They don't NEED anything but water and chicken feed. At 8 weeks, they're not getting ready to build egg shells so they won't need oyster shell for another 10 weeks. They need a grower feed or more accurately, anything with about 1% calcium and about 18% protein. When they all start laying, they can switch to a layer feed that is about 4% calcium.
Grit is good for all ages of chickens and at 8 weeks they're close to the size for adult (#3) grit. If they're getting anything other than chicken feed grit is essential but if they are always foraging with various size small stones, they'll find their own.

I'd stock up on various size sealable containers for feed and other stuff. Food grade 3 and 5 gallon buckets are often thrown away by restaurants and bakeries.

 

[bdjh]

Don't overthink it. Chick/Grower food, water, and whatever else they choose to eat off the ground.

Anything else is just for fun. If it's healthy for you, chances are its healthy for them.