Help! Getting babies in a week. Confused on feed

[Averyy]

There are so many options for food it’s a little overwhelming.. where do I start?? I get day old chicks next week. What do I need to know/buy? What’s the best option?

I’ve decided on everything but the food/any supplements. Also does it matter which brand of electrolytes I buy?

 

[cherrynberry]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/feeding-chickens-an-introductory-guide.67139/
This is a good article to read ^


I like chicken Rooster Booster. I personally feed an All-Flock/flock raiser type feed, with 20% protein, less than 1-2% of calcium, unmedicated, and feed it to everyone in my flock. I also always have OS in a SEPERATE container, where it cannot get wet.

OS=Oyster shells.

 

[rosemarythyme]

For chicks I do Poultry Nutri-Drench now instead of electrolytes, vitamin mixes, etc.

As far as feed, really any chick starter or all flock is fine. Medicated or unmedicated is your call (caveat: IF chicks are vaccinated against coccidiosis, they should not eat medicated feed as that kills the vaccine). Assuming these are layers aim for 18-20% protein or thereabouts (some feeds are higher, some lower, but 20% seems to be the standard for chick feed).

 

[Aunt Angus]

For chicks I do Poultry Nutri-Drench now instead of electrolytes, vitamin mixes, etc.

As far as feed, really any chick starter or all flock is fine. Medicated or unmedicated is your call (caveat: IF chicks are vaccinated against coccidiosis, they should not eat medicated feed as that kills the vaccine). Assuming these are layers aim for 18-20% protein or thereabouts (some feeds are higher, some lower, but 20% seems to be the standard for chick feed).

We really do think alike, Rosemary. I always use NutriDrench in babies' water and feed 20% all-flock pellets. I'm telling you - it borders the uncanny.

 

[cluckcluckhens]

We get start and grow medicated for all of them. The store did not know if any of the chicks were vaccinated back in September of last year. They are all doing fine. We been getting this since 2012.

 

[Ridgerunner]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/feeding-chickens-an-introductory-guide.67139/
This is a good article to read ^

I agree, that is a good article. I like that it mentions that if can be different depending on why you are raising them.

It can be different if they forage for a lot of their food, say they are being raised by a broody hen. If you are providing all they eat and are raising them to be a laying flock a general recommendation is to start them off with a relatively high protein feed, say 18% to 20% protein. Some people continue to feed that same percent protein for the rest of their lives. I drop that to 16% whenever that bag of feed runs out as long a it is after 4 weeks. The higher protein to start gets them off to a good start ad helps them feather out faster but dropping the protein a little can give their bones and bodies a little more time to mature before they start to lay. I still occasionally get pullets to start laying at 16 weeks (that is rare) so it doesn't delay them unreasonably. Once they start to lay I continue with the 16% protein feed and offer oyster shell on the side. Mine also forage for some of their food and get kitchen and garden scraps. I don't try to micromanage every bite they eat.

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

We really do think alike, Rosemary. I always use NutriDrench in babies' water and feed 20% all-flock pellets. I'm telling you - it borders the uncanny.

Will new chicks eat pellets? Do you crush them? And at what age would nutridrench no longer be needed? Thx

 

[Aunt Angus]

Will new chicks eat pellets? Do you crush them? And at what age would nutridrench no longer be needed? Thx

That's not what I meant. I was replying to the other poster. @rosemarythyme and @cherrynberry covered the chick starter options. I was simply commenting on the fact that I'm continually finding that @rosemarythyme and I have nearly identical opinions.

I usually stop putting NutriDrench in their water when I move them out of the brooder.

 

[Aunt Angus]

And I'll add that when they do go off chick starter, I prefer all-flock because I have a rooster (maybe a cockerel now, too!) and some pullets who are not yet laying. Neither roosters nor non-laying birds need that much calcium. And I also have ducks, so I prefer higher protein. All of 'em live together, and there's no way I'm going to separate that circus for feeding.

Basically - I do starter and NutriDrench in their water until they are fully integrated into the flock/in the big coop/fully feathered. Then it's all-flock.

But I remember being new and being confused by all the options. And worried about the timing of when to switch. I have found over the years that I don't need to be as careful as I thought. Just use common sense and continue to ask advice/read when you're really stumped. You got this!

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

Oh, ok. I see now.
I asked about pellets bc I’m finding it hard to find all flock crumble. Had my hopes up for a min bc I can get all flock pellets. Chick crumble will do.
Gotcha on the nutridrench.