Hens temporarily on chick feed?

[Shadrach]

I DO have dirty little poop eating chicks! And they're all healthy as horses. They're like kids got to make them eat dirt so they won't be puny. I'm sure somewhere a neat freak just clutched their pearls into dust.

Likewise. Also, I don't have static coops, or nice homely ones. I let the roosters and hens fight. I do clean the coops but I use a blow torch and no chemicals. I don't wash chickens.I don't monitor what they eat, I couldn't anyway, they free range. I don't give them saddles or nappies. I don't collect their eggs daily. I don't let anything with feathers that doesn't live here past the quarantine coop. I don't buy silkies or some other breed because they look sweet. I eat one or two a year if necessary and I just love aggressive roosters.


Maybe I'm on the wrong site....

 

[Chickassan]

Lol! I just have the one static coop that gets deep cleaned twice a year. They eat what they want I have little control they are free until dark. They have to work out their own issues. I will wash them if they get nasty bottoms, nobody wants flystrike. No saddles or nappies, they wouldn't stand for them. I get my eggs daily, because I want them but the crows do too. I do have cute chickens but for a reason. My cuties lay through winter and are cold tolerant. They are also very big and slow so easy for me to catch if need be. I don't have an agressive rooster, at least not towards me he's not tolerant of much else. I'm a small lady and i'm not big on getting spurred done it didn't like it. I don't eat anyone but I don't eat meat. You're not on the wrong site at all. It is all about what works for you.

Likewise. Also, I don't have static coops, or nice homely ones. I let the roosters and hens fight. I do clean the coops but I use a blow torch and no chemicals. I don't wash chickens.I don't monitor what they eat, I couldn't anyway, they free range. I don't give them saddles or nappies. I don't collect their eggs daily. I don't let anything with feathers that doesn't live here past the quarantine coop. I don't buy silkies or some other breed because they look sweet. I eat one or two a year if necessary and I just love aggressive roosters.


Maybe I'm on the wrong site....

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

Do you guys think it's OK to just start newly hatched chicks on regular feed such as all-flock? I mean, they are only gonna eat chick starter for a couple of weeks anyway, I figure feeding all-flock from the start will save you a few dollars seeing how a small 20 lb bag of chick starter is almost the price of a 50 lb adult feed... and you can use the adult feed for all.

With soo much layer feed lying around, do you think layer feed will be OK with newly born chicks also? I think people make too big of a deal with the extra calcium in layer feed as if it's poison to roosters or baby chicks..... should be OK, right?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Do you guys think it's OK to just start newly hatched chicks on regular feed such as all-flock? I mean, they are only gonna eat chick starter for a couple of weeks anyway, I figure feeding all-flock from the start will save you a few dollars seeing how a small 20 lb bag of chick starter is almost the price of a 50 lb adult feed... and you can use the adult feed for all.

With soo much layer feed lying around, do you think layer feed will be OK with newly born chicks also? I think people make too big of a deal with the extra calcium in layer feed as if it's poison to roosters or baby chicks..... should be OK, right?

I would use the All Flock or Flock Raiser for chicks that young.

Read back through this thread...excess calcium in the diet of nonlaying birds has been discussed. Excess calcium can cause problems (like excess anything) - the effects are not always immediately seen.

I use Flock Raiser year round - this is what all mine eat regardless of age or sex - this way you don't have to worry about switching feeds. Just provide oyster shell free choice for your layers.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

4% calcium in feed is a huge no no for baby chicks. Calcium isn't poison, it is just excessive for a bird that can't utilize it for building egg shells.

You can use All Flock as long as it is crumbles. Pellets are too big for newly hatched chicks.

 

[Chickassan]

I have used all flock for my new hatches. I give it a little whir in the food processor to make it a bit smaller but it worked just fine. Can't comment on layer feed, everyone just gets the flock food with calcium on the side. I did give them scratch and peck for about two weeks but it was clear it was too expensive and they ate way too much of it as time went on.

Do you guys think it's OK to just start newly hatched chicks on regular feed such as all-flock? I mean, they are only gonna eat chick starter for a couple of weeks anyway, I figure feeding all-flock from the start will save you a few dollars seeing how a small 20 lb bag of chick starter is almost the price of a 50 lb adult feed... and you can use the adult feed for all.

With soo much layer feed lying around, do you think layer feed will be OK with newly born chicks also? I think people make too big of a deal with the extra calcium in layer feed as if it's poison to roosters or baby chicks..... should be OK, right?