Hello from Ray, MIchigan

[barnbum204]

Hello i'm new to chickens while laying chickens. Recently bought 12 pullets of red crosses from tractor supply. Well two of them ended up being roosters while 10 laying hens remain. One of the roosters got rehomed to another flock so they would not start to fight. Any advice to how to properly care for my flock would be great We have just started getting eggs and plan to get more chickens next year once chick day come along. Should we be doing anything differently now that one has started laying? They stay in the run while we are not home to watch them and usually get at least two hours of free ranging while we are home if not longer.

Here is the crew
and here is the crews coop

 

[drumstick diva]

Sounds like you are doing a very good job raising them. Once they start laying you should be up to your ears in eggs. Welcome to Backyard chickens.

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.
Lovely pictures! Your flock looks happy, healthy and very content! They sure have lots of land to roam around there! Congrats on the one pullet who has started laying!

Make sure they have calcium. Calcium is very important for forming eggshells in the hen's body.

If you are wanting to learn more about raising chickens, definitely check out our learning center. TONS of helpful info there!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

 

[barnbum204]

I know the feed we are in the process of switching them over to had extra calcium in it specifically for layers but is there another way to make sure they are getting enough calcium or should that be sufficent?

 

[Mountain Peeps]

I know the feed we are in the process of switching them over to had extra calcium in it specifically for layers but is there another way to make sure they are getting enough calcium or should that be sufficent?

Yes, they should have either oyster shell or crushed rinsed eggshells provided separately. Here is a link on using eggshells as the source of calcium.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/eggshells-for-laying-hens

 

[N F C]

Welcome to BYC!

Nice set up for your girls and roo, lots of room to roam and a safe coop and run. Looks like you are off to a great start.

When you get your new chicks next spring, you'll want to quarantine first then integrate them carefully to lessen any chance for injuries. Here's a great article about that from the Learning Center:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

Good luck to you, you have a lovely flock!

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!