Help with feed!

[Quailsk]

So I have two cochins and I just dont know what to feed them as one I dont know their age, two I cant seem to understand what to feed juvenile chickens who are not chicks but not laying either... sorry I am new to raising chickens never had them before in my life. However I got some chick crumbs, bird seed consisting of wheat, sunflower seeds and other grains and seed and scratch as well greens and insect while free ranging. I dont think this feed is right at all for them so I want to fix it as much and as quick as I possibly can. Heres some pics of them to give you an idea how old they are-

Thanks any help appreciated!, Quailsk

 

[shober]

Don't stress over it! The chick crumbs should be fine! If they are allowed to free range, they can find what they need. Be sure to offer them some grit as well. When they start to lay, get them some lay mash. Oyster shell can be offered as well

 

[RonoKT]

Your photos make me think you are in the UK. I get my feed delivered, there are lots of companies offering feed online. I am new to poultry but I believe what you want for those birds is a grower feed although I've read that feeding chick ration up to point of lay is also fine. As you have a rooster though, you will not be able to feed layer feed to both, once your hen is laying, you will need to make oyster shells (for calcium) available and feed a grower feed to both. Hopefully someone with more experience can confirm this but that is what is the information I have gathered for myself. Where are you based?

 

[Quailsk]

Your photos make me think you are in the UK. I get my feed delivered, there are lots of companies offering feed online. I am new to poultry but I believe what you want for those birds is a grower feed although I've read that feeding chick ration up to point of lay is also fine. As you have a rooster though, you will not be able to feed layer feed to both, once your hen is laying, you will need to make oyster shells (for calcium) available and feed a grower feed to both. Hopefully someone with more experience can confirm this but that is what is the information I have gathered for myself. Where are you based?

Yes I am from the UK up north in West Yorkshire. I will try to get them oyster shells when she lays and how can I feed only certain feeds to the one chicken and stop the other from eating it? As I only have two so far do I just feed the layer feed while theyre out to just the hen and the grower/chick crumbs while theyre in would that work? Or should the layer feed be available all the time? Thanks, Quailsk

 

[RonoKT]

The feed should be the same for both, but you should have oyster shells available for the pullet as she will need extra calcium, I don't have any mature chickens but I have read that chickens will self regulate oyster shell consumption and the rooster who doesn't need extra calcium will not eat any. If you feed later ration it contains the extra calcium and it will have a negative impact on the rooster.
I live in London, so not much agricultural shops. The places that do stock chicken products have chick crumb and layers but no growers, you may get a bit more variety around you.

 

[RonoKT]

When it comes to it, you may find you can only get very large bags of oyster shells, if you are not planning on getting more chickens (I think you will soon be encouraged to) you can get small quantities of oyster shell and grit etc. on eBay.

 

[Percheron chick]

You have one hen and one rooster. The hen looks like she should be laying. Better pictures would help but look like cochin at least a year old

 

[Quailsk]

When it comes to it, you may find you can only get very large bags of oyster shells, if you are not planning on getting more chickens (I think you will soon be encouraged to) you can get small quantities of oyster shell and grit etc. on eBay.

Yeah there are usually only large quantities available but I managed to find a 400g pack for £3 should be enough for the hen. Even up here theres a bit of a lack of these supplies you have to order large quantities as well so of you only have a few birds then you have to find alternatives. Once again thanks for the help!, Quailsk

 

[Quailsk]

You have one hen and one rooster. The hen looks like she should be laying. Better pictures would help but look like cochin at least a year old

I think youre quite right as I discovered today. Lets just hope that I can confirm this in the form of an egg tommorow morning even though thats quite a longshot..! As I have changed the feed they were having so lets hope it gets her laying in the next few days.. Thanks, Quailsk