I have five silky chicks due to hatch on Mother’s Day Uk naturally? With a first time Pekin Broody?

[Pollmadoll]

Very nervous as this is a first Pekin ten month old broody hatching five silky chicks this Sunday. Should I only feed chick crumbs to the mother too. I have read that chicks should not eat the adult food?

 

[PippinTheChicken]

I mixed the crumb with the normal mixed feed. Only the crumb was small enough for the chicks to eat. Or you can raise the adult feeders so the chicks can't reach, and pit a chick feeder for them. Honestly, I've never had any problems with chicks eating adult feed, so you can just mix the crumb with the adult feed.
Congratulations!

 

[PippinTheChicken]

Mama and chicks eating mixed feed

 

[Pollmadoll]

I mixed the crumb with the normal mixed feed. Only the crumb was small enough for the chicks to eat. Or you can raise the adult feeders so the chicks can't reach, and pit a chick feeder for them. Honestly, I've never had any problems with chicks eating adult feed, so you can just mix the crumb with the adult feed.
Congratulations!

Many thanks for that advice I have usually incubated so this is a rare occasion. Very nerve racking

 

[Huntmaster]

Should I only feed chick crumbs to the mother too.

Feeding them all chick starter is fine. Mother can use the higher protein feed to get strength built back up after being broody.

 

[Pollmadoll]

As it is a few days before hatch day should I give her some chick crumbs now to get her ready for her new brood?

 

[Pollmadoll]

Or mix it?

 

[PippinTheChicken]

Or mix it?

If you want to mix it (you don't have to since it's just mama and babies) you can. It's your choice
Good luck!

 

[Pollmadoll]

Luckily four chicks hatched this afternoon

 

[Huntmaster]

Or mix it?

What type of feed are you feeding adults? If it is a layer feed, I wouldn't mix it. Just feed hen and chicks the chick starter.