have new chicks...what to do with feeding when we put them out?

[JeninMN]

Hi!

We currently have a coop with 26 buff orps that are just over a year old and then we now have 11 more little baby buff orps!

I am wondering what you all do when its time for the babies to go out to the coop? As far as feeding them?

We have our 1 year olds on layer feed....there won't really be a way to "separate" the feeders out in the coop...

Is there a way to do this?? Or do we have to build a little coop next to our big one to keep them in till they hit 18 weeks?

Thank you!!

Jen in MN

 

[Marlinchaser]

I would be more concerned with whether the new chicks will be able to integrate into the flock at such an early age. best not to try to put together till the youngest are about the same size as the older ones anyway, so I would sudjest seperate quarters till the babies are big enough to fend for themselves.

 

[JeninMN]

Yep....we for sure won't be trying it until we feel it is safe! but at that point if they still need to be on starter we are worried about what to feed so they are all adequately fed?

 

[RendonRoo]

You might be able to set up an area with a feeder that will have an access opening that is too small for your big birds to go into. That would allow the young chicks to get the grower that they need. It would not keep them from eating some of the layer food but they would at least get some of the grower. Hope this made sense to you. Good Luck

 

[Marlinchaser]

Quote:
Unless you keep them seperated, they will be able to eat each others foods, I have found that the older ones will end up eating all the starter, I never tried either, but by chicken standards the starter must be good tasting compared to layer food.