- Apr 27, 2010
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First let me apologize: I am pretty sure the answer to this question is to be found in existing threads, but I have not been able to find it within the limited time I have available to sneak in chicken research at work...
I have two hens that are 3 years old, one black Australorp and one Buff Orphington. The B.O. just hatched some golf balls (with a little help from me) into two beautiful Light Brahma chicks that she seems very proud off. She has them in the coop together with the other chicken who seems to be very fond of the little ones as well.
My question is in regard to feeding the little ones. The mama has already taken them out of the coop (they are 3 days old), and both her and co-mama helps them scratch for food. So far I have been feeding them medicated starter in a chicken feeder while I provided layer feed for the Autralorp that is still laying. My concern is that the other hen seems to prefer the chick feed, and I am not so fond of having medicated eggs. Also, the mama seems to take food out of the tall feeder to present it to the chicks, but I doubt it will be enough to really harm them. My local feed store do not carry un-medicated starter, and I am also a little wary of letting the chicks go without it (though I am generally against preventive antibiotics), especially considering that they are living in the same quarters as the adult hens.
Does anyone have a recommendation on how to feed mixed "flocks" like this (as if two hens is a flock
) and still get both healthy chicks and healthy eggs?
Thank you for a great forum!
I have two hens that are 3 years old, one black Australorp and one Buff Orphington. The B.O. just hatched some golf balls (with a little help from me) into two beautiful Light Brahma chicks that she seems very proud off. She has them in the coop together with the other chicken who seems to be very fond of the little ones as well.
My question is in regard to feeding the little ones. The mama has already taken them out of the coop (they are 3 days old), and both her and co-mama helps them scratch for food. So far I have been feeding them medicated starter in a chicken feeder while I provided layer feed for the Autralorp that is still laying. My concern is that the other hen seems to prefer the chick feed, and I am not so fond of having medicated eggs. Also, the mama seems to take food out of the tall feeder to present it to the chicks, but I doubt it will be enough to really harm them. My local feed store do not carry un-medicated starter, and I am also a little wary of letting the chicks go without it (though I am generally against preventive antibiotics), especially considering that they are living in the same quarters as the adult hens.
Does anyone have a recommendation on how to feed mixed "flocks" like this (as if two hens is a flock
) and still get both healthy chicks and healthy eggs?Thank you for a great forum!
