I wasn't ready for this!

[mopalia]

When one hen (out of my 4) started laying somewhere in the yard (they free range in my backyard), I didn't do much to stop her because she had made a nice nest and was now sitting on the eggs. OK, I thought, she might hatch a couple of chicks and that will be fine. I can get them in the coop then,. But she hatched 12! and I can't possible get them all and force her to stay in the coop and run - she's a flyer and has never been able to be kept in. So I'm putting out chick starter and all the hens are eating it. The only stuff the local feed store had was medicated, but I don't have too much of it. the hens are/were on 20% pellets because we had a rooster, but he's gone. So here (finally) is my question. Since I am almost out of chick starter and because the hens (none of whom are laying) insist on eating a lot of the starter, what should I be buying for the chicks that will also be ok for the hens. And is there any reason to get medicated feed? Everyone is healthy. 16 chickens and no eggs - this isn't what I signed up for!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Try to find a non medicated feed to feed to them all. Something like Purina flock raiser can be fed as the sole ration to all.

I feed everyone a non medicated chick starter if there are chicks in the flock, and than I feed an all flock ration.

If you have been feeding a layer ration your hens might be deficit in protein, so that's why they are earing the chick feed. Just make sure to offer a separate bowl of oyster shells.

I had a hen secretly hatch 14 chicks. It was quite the shock.

 

[nuthatched]

Put everyone on starter or all flock feed you already have.

 

[Debbie292d]

Good advice above.

We have Kalmbach's Flock Maker crumbles, which is good for baby chicks, grown chickens, and ducks. It's basically an all-flock. So we use one feed for everyone.

We put out a dish of oyster shell where the hens are.

 

[mopalia]

Try to find a non medicated feed to feed to them all. Something like Purina flock raiser can be fed as the sole ration to all.

I feed everyone a non medicated chick starter if there are chicks in the flock, and than I feed an all flock ration.

If you have been feeding a layer ration your hens might be deficit in protein, so that's why they are earing the chick feed. Just make sure to offer a separate bowl of oyster shells.

I had a hen secretly hatch 14 chicks. It was quite the shock.

I think there are 12 - but it's impossible to count! They've been on Kalmback 20% so I think the protein is ok. I think they are just too lazy to walk to the other side of the coop to get to their own food!

 

[mopalia]

Good advice above.

We have Kalmbach's Flock Maker crumbles, which is good for baby chicks, grown chickens, and ducks. It's basically an all-flock. So we use one feed for everyone.

We put out a dish of oyster shell where the hens are.

I have oyster shells out. Flock maker crumbles sounds like a good idea - maybe they like the crumbles better than the pellets.

 

[mopalia]

Put everyone on starter or all flock feed you already have.

I don't think the chicks can manage the pellets - Kalmback's pellets are pretty big.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I think there are 12 - but it's impossible to count! They've been on Kalmback 20% so I think the protein is ok. I think they are just too lazy to walk to the other side of the coop to get to their own food!

That's good. Is that feed a layer ration?

 

[sourland]

All flock crumbles with oyster shell on the side. Generate a 'Plan B' for all of the cockerels.

 

[mopalia]

That's good. Is that feed a layer ration?

No, because we had a rooster. He's gone now (he got mean and started attacking me). They have oyster shell on the side. and I scatter ground up eggshells with their daily treat.